Guidebook for Carmel

Iris
Guidebook for Carmel

Food Scene

A local favorite. When folks ask us for a romantic spot for date night, we send them here, even though we've never been ourselves. So far, no complaints!
59 locals recommend
La Bicyclette Restaurant
7th Avenue
59 locals recommend
A local favorite. When folks ask us for a romantic spot for date night, we send them here, even though we've never been ourselves. So far, no complaints!
Locally roasted coffees that won't blow your mind, but will certainly beat the pants off the 'bucks. Locations in the Rio shopping center, in the Valley, and on Ocean Dr.
24 locals recommend
Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting
246 Crossroads Blvd
24 locals recommend
Locally roasted coffees that won't blow your mind, but will certainly beat the pants off the 'bucks. Locations in the Rio shopping center, in the Valley, and on Ocean Dr.
Serving Carmel Valley coffees and excellent hot chocolates, we go here to treat ourselves to a warm treat on a foggy day.
8 locals recommend
The Carmel Coffee House and Roasting Company
Dolores Street
8 locals recommend
Serving Carmel Valley coffees and excellent hot chocolates, we go here to treat ourselves to a warm treat on a foggy day.
Our favorite lunch spot. Great salads, sandwiches, soups, and especially quiches.
9 locals recommend
Patisserie Bechler
1225 Forest Ave
9 locals recommend
Our favorite lunch spot. Great salads, sandwiches, soups, and especially quiches.
Not local, but probably the best coffee in town.
8 locals recommend
Peet's Coffee
560 Munras Ave
8 locals recommend
Not local, but probably the best coffee in town.
Worth going just for the view. Go at night, when it isn't crowded.
94 locals recommend
Nepenthe
48510 CA-1
94 locals recommend
Worth going just for the view. Go at night, when it isn't crowded.
Frequented by Leonardo DiCaprio and other Big Sur celebs, this place is more than a bakery. Their wine list is particularly impressive, and even features wine from our home: Israel!
32 locals recommend
Big Sur Bakery
47540 CA-1
32 locals recommend
Frequented by Leonardo DiCaprio and other Big Sur celebs, this place is more than a bakery. Their wine list is particularly impressive, and even features wine from our home: Israel!
I don't eat meat, but my son recommends this place for, "burgers, burgers, burgers. Have I said burgers?"
400° Gourmet Burgers & Fries
Mission Street
I don't eat meat, but my son recommends this place for, "burgers, burgers, burgers. Have I said burgers?"
Probably the best seafood in the area. Try the rare peppered ahi.
16 locals recommend
Flying Fish Grill
7th Avenue
16 locals recommend
Probably the best seafood in the area. Try the rare peppered ahi.
Upmarket Italian, good atmosphere, and a solid wine list. Enjoy!
15 locals recommend
Il Fornaio
Monte Verde Street
15 locals recommend
Upmarket Italian, good atmosphere, and a solid wine list. Enjoy!
We haven't been, but many say this is the best restaurant in town.
46 locals recommend
Casanova
5th Avenue
46 locals recommend
We haven't been, but many say this is the best restaurant in town.
Live music! Every Sunday afternoon 1-5 during the summer months, through late September.
29 locals recommend
Big Sur River Inn
46800 CA-1
29 locals recommend
Live music! Every Sunday afternoon 1-5 during the summer months, through late September.

Essentials

This place should be renamed The Cheese Museum. Go here for an education--one you can taste and take with you--on local wines and some of the world's best cheeses.
19 locals recommend
The Cheese Shop
Junipero Street
19 locals recommend
This place should be renamed The Cheese Museum. Go here for an education--one you can taste and take with you--on local wines and some of the world's best cheeses.
Needs no introduction--but good to know where it is.
96 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
1170 Forest Ave
96 locals recommend
Needs no introduction--but good to know where it is.
Needs no introduction--but good to know where it is.
96 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
1170 Forest Ave
96 locals recommend
Needs no introduction--but good to know where it is.
Though we typically shop at Trader Joe's, Safeway's so close, it'd be ridiculous not to to point it out.
128 locals recommend
Safeway
815 Canyon Del Rey Blvd
128 locals recommend
Though we typically shop at Trader Joe's, Safeway's so close, it'd be ridiculous not to to point it out.

Everything Else

Carmel is blessed with a beautiful beach with easy access (from 13th St., for example), just down the road from the house. Beat the fog by going for a morning jog, or stop by to watch the sun set.
142 locals recommend
Carmel City Beach
142 locals recommend
Carmel is blessed with a beautiful beach with easy access (from 13th St., for example), just down the road from the house. Beat the fog by going for a morning jog, or stop by to watch the sun set.
(Sea) lions, and seals, and otters, oh my! A must-stop on your road trip along PCH.
309 locals recommend
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
62 CA-1
309 locals recommend
(Sea) lions, and seals, and otters, oh my! A must-stop on your road trip along PCH.
Great place to go for a brisk walk. Turn right out the driveway onto Rio road, and look for the entrance to the park on your right, less than a mile down the road.
9 locals recommend
Mission Trail Park
9 locals recommend
Great place to go for a brisk walk. Turn right out the driveway onto Rio road, and look for the entrance to the park on your right, less than a mile down the road.
The Northermost bastion of the Spanish missionaries attracts busloads of tourists. We're not sure why... but we figured we'd point it out anyway.
76 locals recommend
Carmel Mission
3080 Rio Rd
76 locals recommend
The Northermost bastion of the Spanish missionaries attracts busloads of tourists. We're not sure why... but we figured we'd point it out anyway.
A quiet place for a short hike or a picnic in the mossy oak forest.
33 locals recommend
Jacks Peak Park
25020 Jacks Peak Park Rd
33 locals recommend
A quiet place for a short hike or a picnic in the mossy oak forest.
Another great spot for a short hike, and a nice place to explore if you want an excuse to head into the valley.
133 locals recommend
Garland Ranch Regional Park
700 W Carmel Valley Rd
133 locals recommend
Another great spot for a short hike, and a nice place to explore if you want an excuse to head into the valley.
This small museum hosts excellent traveling exhibitions. Check out Rodin: Light & Shadow through October 21st.
34 locals recommend
Monterey Museum of Art
559 Pacific St
34 locals recommend
This small museum hosts excellent traveling exhibitions. Check out Rodin: Light & Shadow through October 21st.
Carmel Plaza hosts free outdoor concerts every Friday evening from 5-7 during the summer months, through late September.
24 locals recommend
Carmel Plaza
Mission Street
24 locals recommend
Carmel Plaza hosts free outdoor concerts every Friday evening from 5-7 during the summer months, through late September.
Every Tuesday, from 4pm to 8pm, check out this three block street fair, with wares from around the world.
9 locals recommend
Alvarado Street
Alvarado Street
9 locals recommend
Every Tuesday, from 4pm to 8pm, check out this three block street fair, with wares from around the world.