Best places to stay in carmel by the sea
If you’re looking for the best places to stay in Carmel by the Sea, you’ve come to the right place!
Carmel by the Sea is a beautiful little town, and it has a lot of great things going on. You’ll find plenty of cool shops and tasty restaurants here, so you’ll have plenty to do during your stay.
You can also take advantage of all of the outdoor activities available in this area. Whether you want to hike or bike through the trails, or just sit back and relax with a good book, there’s something for everyone!
This article will provide you with more information on Best places to stay in carmel by the sea, Best hotels in carmel with ocean view, best beaches in monterey, best beaches in carmel by the sea. Enjoy!
Best beaches in carmel by the sea
There are so many great beaches in Carmel by the Sea that it’s hard to choose just one! Here are some of the best.
1. Carmel River State Beach
Carmel River State Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand accessible on the south side of Carmel-by-the-Sea. It’s bounded by the ocean and the wetlands created at the mouth of the Carmel River, known as the Carmel River Lagoon Wetlands Natural Preserve. Birds perhaps frequent this lagoon more than humans visit the beach.
The beach stretches for approximately a mile, with lovely white sand. Popular activities here include suntanning and photographing the resident wildlife. Riptides and a steep drop-off make swimming dangerous. However, it’s common to see kayakers launching from the beach.
Beachcombing and beach walking are also popular activities. Walkers often head south on the beach and toward the blufftop trails next to the Carmel Meadows neighborhood. These panoramic hiking paths connect to Monastery State Beach to the south, which is also part of the state park.
Parking can be a challenge at Carmel River State Beach. A small lot accommodates perhaps a dozen cars at the end of Carmelo Street, with some overflow parking available nearby. Try to arrive early to secure a spot on any sunny weekend.
2. Carmel City Beach
Carmel City Beach is a coastal scene ripped right from a postcard. The white sandy beach borders the entire city to the west, buffered by Monterey cypress trees, and holes 9 & 10 of Pebble Beach Golf Links are visible on the northern end. And every bit of the beach offers excellent views across the water and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Carmel City Beach is a popular place, especially on warm-weather weekends. The main parking and access point is at the end of Ocean Avenue. When busy, visitors may have to find overflow parking south on Scenic Road. From any parking area, it’s typically a short but somewhat steep walk down a white dune to the main beach.
Carmel City Beach attracts several interests. The water runs a bit chilly, with potentially dangerous riptides, so swimming isn’t common, but surfers with wetsuits catch some waves. No lifeguards are on duty. Setting a towel down and lounging is usually the base activity enjoyed by everyone.
Thanks to a no-leash policy, Carmel City Beach is also extremely popular for dog owners. Dogs are welcome to run and explore the surf but always must be under voice command. The beach is also home to a decomposed granite walkway. This walking trail, dubbed the Scenic Path, starts near 8th Avenue and follows the coast south.
3. Monastery Beach
Monastery Beach is part of Carmel River State Beach. It’s accessible right off Highway 1, or an approximately one-mile walk from Carmel River State Beach through Carmel Meadows. The crescent beach is bountiful, with plenty of space to spread a towel out and enjoy the scenic ocean view.
The water is home to a deadly undertow, and swimming and shoreline walking is dangerous at Monastery Beach. Past accidents have given the beach the morbid nickname, Mortuary Beach. A relatively new lifeguard tower at the beach helps visitors heed the large caution signs.
The beach is a popular spot for experienced scuba divers, though not as popular as the adjacent Point Lobos State Natural Reserve to the south. Monastery Beach is also a popular spot for general beach lounging and soaking up the sun.
4. Gibson Beach, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Point Lobos is the expansive headland just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. It’s a state natural reserve and a crown jewel of the state park system. Meadows, bluff-top trails, and abundant wildlife draw crowds of nature lovers to the headland throughout the year. Several secluded coves and rocky beaches also attract interest, all connected by a network of hiking trails.
Suntanning and other “traditional” beach activities aren’t as popular at Point Lobos. Instead, at beaches like China Cove and Sea Lion Cove, the major attraction is the postcard setting. Popular activities at these rugged beaches include tide pooling; beachcombing; and watching wildlife like sea lions, sea otters, and whales. Scuba diving is also popular, with permits required to dive.
At the southern end of Point Lobos, Gibson Beach is the sandiest beach. Like the rest of the shoreline, reaching the coast requires a short walk. The shortest hike is from the end of the paved road in Point Lobos, where parking is limited. The walking route passes right by China Cove for a great view on the way to the sand.
5. Asilomar State Beach
Asilomar State Beach is a scenic stretch of coastline on the other side of the Pebble Beach neighborhood from Carmel. It’s a famous beach for several reasons, including the on-site and historic conference grounds, which once belonged to the YWCA. Today, California State Parks owns and operates the conference grounds and the Asilomar Hotel.
The beach itself is very scenic and comprises several rocky coves punctuating short stretches of sand. This landscape lends to beachcombing, beach picnics, and simply admiring the dynamic environment. The Asilomar Coast Trail navigates the entire backend of the beach and is a popular flat path to explore.
Asilomar State Beach is also home to a Dunes Natural Preserve. This reclaimed and vital dune habitat is on the other side of Sunset Drive from the ocean, next to the conference grounds. A universally accessible boardwalk trail navigates this fragile dune environment for a pleasant quarter-mile walk.
6. Lovers Point Park Beach
Lovers Point is a beautiful 4.4-acre oceanfront park in Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula. It’s at the end of 17th street and easily accessible from Carmel with less than a 15-minute drive. The park has several amenities, including a couple of gorgeous beaches.
The beach space at Lovers Point is unique in that it faces east, making it one of a few places to catch the sunrise on the West Coast. And outside of its orientation, the beach is simply beautiful. The water is a bit chilly at Lovers Point, but the calm conditions allow swimming. Watercraft like kayaks and paddleboards also commonly dot the water.
Several other outdoor attractions also draw attention to Lovers Point Park. Plenty of open green space and shade trees cater to picnics, as does the on-site Beach House Restaurant with coffee and casual fare. The actual point is also fun to explore, offering excellent vantage points north and south along the coast.
7. 17-Mile Drive Beaches
The famous 17-Mile Drive tours the mansions and coastline of the Pebble Beach neighborhood, just north of Carmel. It’s one of the most scenic driving routes in the country, with several roadside attractions worth a pullover. Alongside a few beautiful beaches, the route is home to iconic landscapes, including the Lone Cypress standing above the sea.
Moss Beach, within Spanish Bay, is one of the largest beaches along 17-mile drive. This beach is stop #3 when starting the route in Pacific Grove. Picnic tables and a broad shoreline invite activities like picnicking and beachcombing. And for those interested in a long beach walk, the sand extends north to Spanish Bay Beach, traveling through an intertidal zone.
There is a fee for non-residents to drive 17-Mile Drive. Various entrance stations connect to the route, including one in Carmel at the north end of San Antonio Avenue. Other entrance gates are in Pacific Grove and off Highway 1.
8. Del Monte State Beach & Monterey State Beach
A long stretch of beach extends east of Municipal Warf #2 in Monterey. Several different beaches constitute this continuous stretch of sand. Monterey Municipal Beach is the closest to the wharf, and perhaps the most popular, with easy parking nearby and safe swimming conditions.
Monterey State Beach encompasses two different sections of sand east of the wharf. The first, next to Monterey Municipal Beach, is commonly referred to as Window on the Bay Beach. This name is perhaps thanks to the landscaped entryways provided by Monterey Bay City Park.
Farther north along the coast, the state beach’s second unit surrounds the Monterey Tides hotel with plenty of sand to explore.
Del Monte State Beach is the stretch of sand between the two units of Monterey State Beach. It tends to be a quieter place to enjoy the ocean, as it requires a bit of a walk to reach. The closest access point is from a boardwalk trail leading from a small parking area in the Del Monte neighborhood.
9. McAbee Beach and San Carlos Beach
McAbee Beach and San Carlos Beach are two small beaches next to Cannery Row on the Monterey Peninsula. And they both are among the many scenic attractions in this historic part of Monterey.
McAbee Beach is within Cannery Row, accessible from the scenic Steinbeck Plaza and the Cannery Row Monument. The beach is a sliver of sand come high tide, but it’s worth stepping onto the shore and looking around during low tide. It’s also a known spot for scuba entry.
San Carlos Beach is south of Cannery Row, next to the Coast Guard Pier. It’s a more extensive beach accessible at all tides and another common entry point for scuba divers. The beach and inland grassy area are ripe for picnicking or taking a break in the day. And Monterey seals often line the adjacent Coast Guard Pier, offering easy wildlife watching nearby.
10. Garrapata State Park Beach
Garrapata State Park is on the northern Big Sur coastline, just a few miles south of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. The park encapsulates what this beautiful region offers, including redwood hiking trails and a dramatic coastline.
The only stretch of sand along Garrapata’s four shoreline miles is at the park’s southern end. Parking is available off Highway 1, and it’s a steep dirt trail to meet the beach. And while the state park is popular, the sand tends to be a little less crowded than other beaches on the Big Sur coastline.
The hiking trails at Garrapata are also a popular avenue for adventure. Many of these lead up the forested canyon on the other side of the highway, often revealing panoramic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Best places to stay in carmel by the sea
If you’re looking for the best places to stay in Carmel by the Sea, consider these options:
1. Carmel Mission Inn
It’s well-known that Carmel Mission Inn is one of the best hotels in Carmel. But what makes it really stand out from the rest is that the entire place was recently given a complete facelift.
So rest assured everything is new, modern, and luxurious. Plus, Carmel Mission Inn is pet-friendly if you want to bring your furry friends to this incredibly pet-friendly city!
When you’re not out on the town, you can spend your days lounging around a poolside cabana and your nights sipping cocktails around one of the outdoor fire pits. If you prefer to dine at the hotel, the newly-opened Shearwater Tavern serves up seriously good locally sourced California fare and a long list of creative and classic cocktails.
Once you’re ready to relax, you’ll love the designer rooms, which are outfitted with mid-century decor, natural wood elements, and 49-inch flat-screen TVs. Plus, the eco-friendly bath amenities, complimentary Wi-Fi, and in-room coffee makers are handy extras.
If you really want to go all out, the Mountain View Junior Suite is the best room in the house. Pick this stylish guest room, and you’ll get a spacious indoor sitting area and a private balcony with chairs overlooking the mountains.
2. The Hotel Carmel
If you’re looking for an upscale Carmel-by-the-Sea boutique hotel, you’ll love The Hotel Carmel. From magazine-worthy guest rooms to high-tech amenities, you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. Plus, The Hotel Carmel is located right in the heart of town, so you can walk to all of the city’s best tasting rooms, shops, and restaurants.
You can choose from Courtyard, Fireplace, and Balcony rooms, which all boast pillow-top platform beds, cottage-style rattan furnishings, and large flat-screens with STAYCAST media streaming. For something a bit more deluxe, the Suite guest rooms feature extras like kitchenettes and stylish living rooms.
One of the coolest things about this residence-style hotel is the picture-perfect courtyard. It’s the ideal spot to gather over a bottle of wine and socialize around the fire pit.
If you’re hungry, Brophy’s Tavern dishes out upscale pub grub, craft brews, and handcrafted cocktails. It’s also one of the most popular places in town for locals and visitors alike!
3. La Playa Carmel
Set in a 1905 mansion just down the road from Carmel Beach, La Playa Carmel offers the perfect blend of historic elegance and modern touches. Not only is the beach steps away, but all of the bars, restaurants, and boutiques of Ocean Avenue are just two blocks away.
You can choose from a variety of guest rooms at this historic 75-room hotel. Opt for the Premium Ocean View room, and you’ll be treated to a plush pillow-top bed, a sumptuous cotton robe, and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.
Alternately, the Poolside Casita offers extras like easy pool access, a fireplace, a sitting area, and a wet bar, while the Garden Patio guest rooms offer lush patios with views of the hotel’s award-winning gardens.
You’ll also get complimentary amenities, including a champagne breakfast buffet and a shuttle to Carmel’s best restaurants and attractions. When hunger strikes, the hotel’s revamped Bud’s restaurant is a longstanding local institution that serves up excellent burgers, salads, and sandwiches.
Head here during their famous “Dime Time,” and you’ll get .10-cent drinks for 10 minutes. The secret is you have to pay with dimes!
4. Quail Lodge & Golf Club
If you’re looking for a luxurious retreat, Quail Lodge & Golf Club is easily one of the best hotels in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Tucked away in Carmel Valley, Ocean Avenue is a quick 10-minute drive to the heart of town. But with so many incredible amenities, you’ll never need to step foot off this property if you don’t want to!
You can spend your days teeing off on the award-winning 18-hole championship golf course, playing pickleball and tennis on the multiple courts, splashing around in the pool, or getting massages in the spa. There’s also a state-of-the-art gym if you are planning on keeping up with your exercise routine during your vacation.
Plus, when it comes to drinking and dining, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Start the day by fueling up on craft coffee and all of your breakfast favorites at the hotel’s Breakfast at the Lodge. For lunch and dinner, you can dine with beautiful golf course views at Edgar’s Restaurant or enjoy USDA-grade steaks and sustainably sourced seafood at Covey Grill.
However you decide to spend your days, you’ll love relaxing in your luxurious guest room or suite. Whichever room type you select, you’ll get elegant Carmel Valley-inspired decor, in-room Nespresso coffee makers, smart TVs with Sonifi Chromecast integration, and high-end Molton Brown toiletries.
5. Carriage House Inn
Whether you’re in town for work or play, Carriage House Inn is the perfect pick if you want to be right in the heart of charming Carmel-by-the-Sea. This adorable hotel is just one block from Ocean Avenue and two minutes from the Carmel Mission Basilica Museum.
Carriage House Inn has 13 beautifully decorated rooms and suites. No matter which you choose, you’ll get comfy feather beds with luxurious Italian linens, cozy fireplaces, and large flat-screen TVs. Most guest rooms also boast jetted tubs and vaulted ceilings.
Freebies at Carriage House Inn include daily continental breakfasts, evening wine and appetizers in the beautiful library, turn-down service, Wi-Fi, parking, and freshly baked cookies. While there is no onsite restaurant, the hotel has partnered with some of the best restaurants and businesses in town. Just show your room key, and you’ll get all sorts of discounts and freebies!
6. L’Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux
If you’re searching for unique Carmel-by-the-Sea hotels that don’t skimp on luxury, the L’Auberge Carmel is tough to beat. Housed in a 1929 châteaux-style building, the hotel prides itself on its European elegance and personalized customer service.
This boutique hotel offers 10 luxe guest rooms, which boast original antiques, custom curtains and fabrics, and spa-like baths with radiant floor heating and Penhaligon’s Quercus bath products. Depending on which room you choose, you’ll get added perks, including ocean views, regal four-poster beds, and freestanding soaking tubs.
The real highlight of this hotel is its Forbes Five-Star restaurant, Aubergine. Even if you don’t stay here, you’d be remiss if you didn’t indulge in the eight-course Tasting Menu at this award-winning eatery. You can even have your meal paired with the over 2,500 bottles of wine in the wine cellar!
True food connoisseurs can also arrange to take a cooking class with Aubergine’s Executive Chef Justin Cogley.
7. Candle Light Inn
Couples looking for a romantic retreat will love the rooms at Candle Light Inn. Plus, this lovely inn is set right in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, so you’ll have endless dining and entertainment options.
The hotel’s 20 beautiful rooms all feature plush beds with deluxe French linens, in-room gourmet coffee stations, and large flat-screens with DirectTV. If you’re in town on a special celebration, it’s well worth upgrading to one of the suites for their cozy fireplaces, full kitchens, and two-person whirlpool tubs.
The friendly staff also offers a range of freebies, including hearty continental breakfasts, Wi-Fi, off-street parking, and delicious freshly baked cookies. Plus, in the evenings, you can grab a glass of wine or cup of hot cocoa, head out to the lovely patio area, and get cozy by the fireplace.
8. Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Hyatt Carmel Highlands is one of the best hotels in Carmel-by-the-Sea if you’re looking for a home away from home during your trip. This hotel offers everything you need for a comfortable stay. Plus, you’ll be located right on the edge of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, and Ocean Avenue is an easy 10-minute drive away.
You can choose from rooms with an ocean or garden view. Either way you go, guest rooms are outfitted with high-tech amenities like free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, and 42-inch flat-screen TVs and handy extras like Keurig coffee makers, sumptuous bathrobes, and individually controlled AC.
If you’re in town for an extended stay or just want more space, it’s well worth upgrading to one of the spacious suites. Opt for the Ocean View Townhouse Spa Suite, and you’ll get a fully outfitted kitchen, a living room and dining area, and an ensuite with a deep soaking tub.
Explore the rest of the hotel, and you’ll find a heated outdoor pool, three hot tubs, a 24-hour fitness center, and an oceanfront lounge and restaurant.
9. Svendsgaard’s Inn
Located two blocks from Ocean Avenue, Svendsgaard’s Inn is an ideal option if you plan on doing some serious shopping, wining, and dining during your trip. Plus, this place regards itself as “the pet-friendliest Inn in Carmel,” so look no further if you’re planning to bring your pups along.
Your dogs will be lavished with plush beds, unlimited treats, food and water bowls, and cozy blankets upon arrival. You’ll also have easy access to dog-friendly Carmel Beach and a nearby park for walks and exercise. The friendly staff will even recommend the best pet-friendly restaurants and activities for you and your furry friends!
You don’t have to be traveling with your dogs to stay at the Svendsgaard’s Inn, though. Both pet-friendly and non-pet-friendly rooms boast traditional decor, in-room coffee and tea makers, and mini-fridges. Upgraded rooms offer cool extras like jetted tubs, fireplaces, and kitchenettes.
You’ll also have access to a lush garden courtyard and a large heated pool. While there is no hotel restaurant, all of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s best eateries are just steps from this charming inn.
10. Wayside Inn
If it’s not obvious by now, Carmel-by-the-Sea is brimming with adorable inns, and Wayside Inn is one of the best of the bunch! With its downtown location, you’ll also have easy access to all of the galleries and restaurants on Ocean Avenue.
The inn boasts 22 rooms and suites, all outfitted with English- and French-country decor, comfy beds with French linens, and large flat-screen TVs with DirecTV. Plus, you’ll love that you can brew your morning coffee with the in-room coffee maker and store drinks with the handy mini-fridge.
If you’re traveling as a family or group, the Deluxe Suites offer separate bedrooms and living rooms, fireplaces, and fully outfitted kitchens perfect for cooking homemade meals. You’ll also get freebies, including breakfast baskets delivered to your room each morning, parking, Wi-Fi, and freshly baked cookies.
You’ll be able to walk to a wide range of bars, tasting rooms, and restaurants. But if you don’t want to go far, Blair Estate Tasting Room and the upscale Rise + Roam bakery and pizzeria are right across the street.
Best hotels in carmel with ocean view
If you’re looking for the best hotels in Carmel with ocean view, we’ve got you covered.
Here are our top picks:
- The Lodge at Pebble Beach: Located on the Monterey Peninsula, this hotel offers luxurious accommodations in a beautiful setting. It’s just steps from the beach, so you can watch the waves roll in from your room or balcony. It also offers fantastic golfing opportunities and a spa for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing.
- Carmel Valley Ranch: This resort is located on 100 acres of rolling hills and meadows in Carmel Valley, California. It offers stunning views of both the Pacific Ocean and Monterey Bay. You’ll enjoy comfortable accommodations in rustic cabins that have been built using local materials like adobe bricks and pine logs—and all of them come with fireplaces!
- Del Monte Lodge: This hotel is located within walking distance of Pebble Beach Golf Links, one of the most famous golf courses in the world. It also has an award-winning champagne brunch every Sunday morning (served on their terrace overlooking Pebble Beach).
- The Hotel Casa Madrona is an intimate hotel nestled in an old Victorian house with amazing views of the ocean. With only 30 rooms and suites, this hotel offers guests a peaceful getaway without being too big or impersonal. The rooms themselves are also quite nice—each one has its own unique charm and design, as well as stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
Best beaches in monterey
Monterey is a great place for beach-lovers.
Here are the best beaches in Monterey:
1. Lovers Point
Lovers Point Park is where the Monterey Coastal Trail dips in and out of, and it dashes past a small cove of white sand that’s framed by twisted cypress trees and a few craggy rocks. Just a short walk from Ocean View Boulevard, it’s Lovers Point Beach, a spot that’s sure to get the romance a-flowing with its seriously gorgeous sunsets.
But there’s more to the bay than it’s heartstring-tugging evenings. You can also come for picnics on the dedicated tables that pepper the shoreline promenade. A little protection from the seawall also makes it a great spot to try your hand at SUP boarding. Of course, there’s ample room to sunbathe while watching the water lap against the shore.
Location: 631 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove CA 93950, USA
2. Asilomar State Beach
Asilomar State Beach with its dramatic headlands and tidal pools promise a taste of northern California’s wilder side. You’ll find the reserve and its row of inlets and coves strung along the western edge of the Monterey Peninsula, around 30 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by car, passing through the butterfly sanctuaries and blocks on the outskirts of the town itself.
It’s a little remoter than a lot of the beaches in Monterey proper, which means you’ll enjoy moments of solitude amid the oat-topped dunes. Talking of dunes… be sure to hit the 0.25-mile boardwalk trail in the Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve that’s right by the beach, which includes some spectacular panoramas overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Location: Sunset Dr, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
3. Carmel River State Beach
Carmel River State Beach is a whole nature preserve that spreads across an estuary with a winding waterway, small oxbow lakes, and glowing sandbanks covered in verbena and sage bushes. Follow Highway 1 south for 15 minutes, past the Comstock cottages of charming Carmel-by-the-Sea, to reach the idyllic area.
Lots of people come here to spot the resident population of birds. There are oodles, from the elegant Terek sandpiper to the boisterous Californian brown pelican, along with calling gulls and plenty of butterflies. The beach itself runs for a whole mile, anchoring the reserve against the dunes and the grassy hills behind.
Location: 26478 Carmelo St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, USA
4. Point Lobos State Reserve
Point Lobos sits at the northern tip of the world-famous Big Sur. It’s a stretch of coastline that means the Golden State is always in the travel brochures because it fuses the wild Carmel Highlands with the lashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. To put it another way – don’t forget to charge the camera for this one…
There’s not just a single beach to sample in these parts. Start in the north, where crystal-clear waters filter through to Coal Chute Point. Then, hike the pine woods that halo lovely Whaler’s Cove. Push on to Sea Lion Point, where you’ll be able to see some of the region’s more entertaining coastal inhabitants sunning themselves on the rocks.
Location: 62 CA-1, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, USA
5. Pebble Beach
The name Pebble Beach is nothing short of legendary in the world of golf. Sure enough, the iconic 18 holes of the Pebble Beach Golf Links course string just above the waves in this corner of Monterey. You’ll find the point where the fairways meet the ocean on the far side of Del Monte Forest, around a 15-minute drive southwest of Cannery Row.
There are beautiful vistas of rugged shoreline to enjoy, like the craggy Lone Cypress, sprouting from a jagged headland just off the scenic route of 17-Mile Drive. You’ll also find white-sand beaches with sky-blue water, along with wave-bashed rocks where seabirds forever battle the winds.
Location: 1700 17 Mile Dr, Pebble Beach CA 93953, USA
6. China Cove
China Cove might just be the jewel in the crown of the Point Lobos Reserve. Located at the far southern end of that state park, it can be accessed via the Bird Island Trail from the Pacific Coast Highway. What awaits is an excellent view of Big Sur’s shoreline, with juniper-clad headlands jutting into the sea above white pebbles and sands.
Right next door is Gibson Beach, a similarly spectacular scythe of sand with bluffs and pine trees before a glowing blue ocean. The trails that link both are a great place to start your explorations, with sightings of rare seabirds and sealions both on the menu.
Location: 62 CA-1, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, USA
7. Del Monte Beach
Del Monte Beach is a long and blustery length of sand that’s a 40-minute stroll to the north-east of Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. It’s not as famous as its compadres on the Point Lobos or Pebble Beach side of the bay, which means there’s space for contemplative strolls through the dunes and by the waves here.
The area is relatively built up, featuring handsome sea cottages gazing straight over the Pacific. You’ve got little seafood eateries to pop into for lunch. There are also plenty of locals adding a bit of buzz to the spot, including surfers on the left-right breaks and dog walkers with their pooches on the lead.
Location: 653 Del Monte Ave, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
8. Garrapata State Park
As you make for the gorgeous Garrapata State Park, you’ll likely gasp at the views that lurk around every bend in the highway. Sat just over 12 miles to the south of Monterey, it’s one of the most iconic slices of the Big Sur drive. But to really enjoy the area, you’ll need to hit the trails…
They are the way to reach Garrapata Beach itself. It’s the sole sandy area in the reserve, with high cliffs topped with tuffets of grass overlooking yellow-tinted shores. The rest of the area is all about soaring rock stacks and dramatic lookouts over the Pacific. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for sea otters and whales when you’re on those.
Location: 34500 CA-1, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, USA
9. McAbee Beach
You’ll be able to smell the sizzling shrimp and seafood broths from McAbee Beach. The closest of all to the iconic walking street of Cannery Row, it dashes across the heart of Monterey’s port area. The upshot? It’s the perfect place for a salty picnic with your feet planted in the sand.
Be sure to take some time after lunch to look for the murals inspired by Steinbeck’s famous novel. They’re drawn straight onto the concrete blocks of the seawall here. On top of that, there are fascinating historical plaques that help chronicle the history of the old sardine canning district of Monterey.
Location: 1 Hoffman Ave, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
10. Salinas River State Beach
Salinas River State Beach beckons with a quiet vibe, stretching over 3 miles up the California coast. It starts from the birding habitats of the Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge in the south to the bobbing sailboats of Moss Landing in the north.
One of the main reasons to head in this direction is the lack of crowds. The beaches of Salinas River tend to be wider, wilder, longer, and less busy than those along the Big Sur and in Monterey proper. That makes them a favourite of sea kayakers, of horse riders, surfers, and hikers. Salinas River State Beach is roughly midway between the surf-mad wave town of Santa Cruz and the shrimp-scented boardwalk of Monterey.
Location: Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about all the beautiful places to stay in Carmel by the Sea. Whether you’re looking for a cozy inn with a fireplace and a rocking chair on the porch, or a luxury hotel that’s steps from the beach, this town has got you covered. There are plenty of options for every budget—and every type of traveler.
So what are you waiting for? The sun’s out and it’s time to get away!