If you’re in need of a weekend away, look no further than Carmel-by-the-Sea. This charming town on the coast of California is full of cottage-style hotels, unique dining, lush gardens, and boutique shopping. The entire town is walkable and a weekend is the perfect amount of time to experience what it has to offer. Visit Carmel recently hosted me for a weekend and it’s now one of my favorite destinations in the US. Here are my tips for planning a visit!

How To Get to Carmel-by-the-Sea

The easiest way to arrive is to fly into Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), which is just a 10-minute drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea. For my Seattle people, Alaska Airlines just launched a direct flight to Monterey from Sea-Tac, making it super easy to hop down the coast for a quick getaway!

Alternative airports are San Jose (SJC) and San Francisco (SFO). Both will require a 1-2 hour drive.

Where To Stay

Carmel-by-the-Sea has a lot of unique, cottage-style hotels right in town. I stayed at the Lamp Lighter Inn and it was like straight out of a novel, complete with a resident cat patrolling the grounds! The outdoor seating with fireplaces and lights are the perfect spot to wind down in the evening.

Where to Eat

The most important thing to bring to Carmel-by-the-Sea is an appetite. This town is full of one-of-a-kind dining experiences and my taste buds were in heaven.

• La Bicyclette: European country cuisine in a small space that will make you feel like you’re on the other side of the Atlantic. I had the best gnocchi of my life.

• Stationaery: Great brunch spot nestled in a courtyard with specialty coffee.

• Vesuvio: Authentic Italian with both indoor and rooftop seating.

• Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro: Grab a burger (or Beyond Burger) and a beer at this modern space with both indoor and outdoor seating.

What To Do

• Rent an e-bike from Mad Dogs & Englishmen. This is the best way to see the neighborhoods and the coastline! I left wanting to own an e-bike myself.

• Browse the shops on Ocean Ave. Carmel-by-the-Sea has TONS of unique shops, you could spend hours going through them all.

• Dip your toes in the Pacific Ocean on Carmel Beach. Head down Ocean Ave and you’ll see the sea.

• Hike through the Mission Trail Nature Preserve. A peaceful way to spend a morning or afternoon!

• Visit the Carmel Shell Mural. Located on the corner of 6th Ave and Mission St, this mural is worth the photo-op!

Have you visited Carmel-by-the-Sea?