Welcome to Carmel
Artistic coastal community with excellent retail and dining.
Carmel is a charming coastal city nestled along the spectacular Monterey Peninsula coastline between Pebble Beach in the north and the Carmel Highlands and Big Sur in the south. Also known as Carmel-by-the-Sea, this quaint town grew as an artists’ colony in the early 1900s, with around 60% of its first homes being owned by those engaged in the aesthetic arts. Carmel remains a vibrant cultural scene with many galleries, festivals, and boutiques. This trendy and posh community also boasts exquisite dining, gorgeous parks, and natural scenery.
Carmel’s unique vibe has made it an example for urban planners around the world on how to successfully preserve a community’s character. Most houses are named instead of numbered and built around existing trees. The eclectic architecture includes lovely coastal cottages, stylish condominiums, and attractive single-family homes in a range of styles, from early 20th-century originals to captivating contemporary custom-builds.
What to Love
- Unique character
- Art and culture
- Excellent shopping and dining
- Festivals and events
People & Lifestyle
Carmel offers its residents a fantastic lifestyle with many outstanding options for shopping, dining, and outdoor recreation. Popular activities in the local area include whale watching, bike riding, kayaking, and hiking. This historic hub of art and culture also remains a favored place among working artists who take inspiration from its beautiful landscape.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Carmel is a fantastic shopping and dining destination, with several shopping centers and a charming downtown area centered on Ocean Avenue. Standout local restaurants include lively Greek and Mediterranean spot
Dametra Café, rustic Italian bistro
Little Napoli, laid-back
A.W. Shucks Oyster & Cocktail Bar for great drinks and delicious fresh seafood, and
La Bicyclette for mouthwatering French and Italian-style dishes.
Casanova also serves great French and Italian-inspired meals in a romantic setting, which features a famous table once dined at by Van Gogh. Refined chocolatier Lula’s Chocolates has a location on Mission Street in the heart of downtown Carmel and another at
The Crossroads Carmel.
Located at the intersection of Rio Road and the Cabrillo Highway to Carmel’s southeast, The Crossroads is a high-end shopping and dining destination with dozens of stores and restaurants. Highlights include delightful home furnishing stores
Casa di Campagna and
The Hearth Shop, fashion-conscious travel gear at
Tops ‘n’ Travel, sportswear specialist
The Treadmill, and inviting family-run bookstore
River House Books.
Straddling Mission Street and Ocean Avenue in the heart of downtown Carmel,
Carmel Plaza is a sophisticated outdoor shopping plaza featuring upscale brands such as Tiffany & Co., Anthropologie, Kate Spade, Bottega Veneta, and Sur la Table.
Things to Do
Carmel-by-the-Sea’s rich artistic heritage lives on in its many boutique stores and art galleries. Many local galleries and art studios participate in May’s
Carmel Art Festival. The festival also features live music, plein air and quick-draw art contests, and a silent auction for fine art pieces created over the weekend.
The two-week summertime
Carmel Bach Festival is another signature art celebration centered on a four-day concert series at the Sunset School Auditorium and Carmel Mission Basilica. Originally constructed in 1797, careful restoration work over the years has enshrined
Carmel Mission Basilica as one of California’s most stunning historic landmarks. Along with the Bach Festival performances, the Basilica hosts other performances throughout the year and has four museum galleries exploring local history.
Carmel is also close to some of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural scenery along the Big Sur coastline. A short drive south on California State Route 1,
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve’s sprawling expanse of coastal canyons and kelp forests have been called the crown jewel of California’s 280 state parks and the greatest meeting of land and water in the world. Continue south to
Garrapata State Park for more stunning scenery. Trails connect Garrapata’s pristine beaches to dense redwood forests against a backdrop of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. Both parks offer rugged hiking trails and the chance to see migrating whales and other wildlife.
Schools
Carmel is zoned to the Carmel Unified Public School District. Highlights include:
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Carmel River Elementary School, Public, K-5
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Carmel High School, Public, 9-12
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Stevenson School, Private (Co-educational), PK-8
