Carmel Town Guide

Carmel is a pleasure to visit and offers the visitor everything from the Carmel Mission to boutiques and art galleries. 

Carmel is an upscale village, which began as an artist’s community. The village is preserved, thanks to a number of ordinances that were adopted to ensure the area retains its natural beauty. In the mid 1980s, Clint Eastwood put Carmel on the international map by becoming the mayor for two years. Today Carmel offers many attractions for the visitor and serves as the South entrance to the world-famous 17 Mile Drive. 

Carmel Beach is a mile long and offers spectacular views of cypress trees, blue water, and the manicured greens of the Pebble Beach Golf Links. 

Walk along Ocean Avenue in Carmel to get a feel for the village. Shops and restaurants abound on this, the definitive Carmel street. 

Towards the end of the day, take the scenic road that runs parallel to the ocean for 1-1/2 miles from Carmel Beach to Carmel River Beach. The sunsets are spectacular, and you can drive or bicycle along this route. 

For your evening entertainment head over to Forest Theater, where you can watch outdoor theater or even see a movie at this theater under the stars.

Things to do in Carmel

Art Galleries

Big Sur

Carmel Mission

Dining

Events

Golf

Point Lobos State Reserve

Point Sur Lighthouse

Monterey Wineries

Museums

Shopping

Hotels in Carmel

Carmel River Inn

With cozy cottages tucked into 10 acres of gardens, forest and meadow, the Carmel River Inn offers a relaxing retreat with proximity to the beautiful Big Sur Coast, rugged Carmel Valley and historic Monterey. 

Call 1-800-882-8142  

View www.CarmelRiverInn.Com

Hotels close to Carmel

The Monterey Hotel

Located in the heart of downtown Monterey, where fine dining and shopping abound, the Monterey Hotel has been restored to its original Victorian splendor, with hand-carved furnishings, antique patinas, polished wood floors and leaded glass chandeliers.

Call 1-800-966-6490

View www.Montereyhotel.com