14 Fun Things To Do In Carmel By The Sea, California
Are you looking for all of the best things to do in Carmel, California? You’re in the right place.
Carmel-by-the-sea is an enchanting seaside town just north of Monterey, with fairytale cottages, a walkable downtown plaza, and a powdery white sand beach that stretches for miles.
From the unique storybook architecture to the warm weather, you will be charmed just walking around and shopping in Carmel. But, there’s many interesting places to check out nearby, from coastal hikes to iconic vistas.
To help you plan the perfect day trip, I’ve compiled a list of all of the best things to do in and around town.
Here are 14 amazing things you won’t want to miss in Carmel-by-the-sea.
1. Visit Carmel Beach
Once you arrive in Carmel, head to the beach to relax or go for a long walk. Carmel has a gorgeous white sand beach lined with cypress trees, and beautiful views of the rugged coastline.
At the beach, there’s clean restrooms, and plenty of free parking. This is the perfect place to set up a picnic, or walk around and admire the views.
2. Go Shopping In Downtown
Carmel has an amazing downtown plaza with small boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. This area looks like it’s out of a fairytale, and it has a small seaside village ambience so it’s fun to walk around.
If you want to see the iconic fairytale cottage homes, they’re located right next to the downtown plaza, which I’ve pinned on the map below.
And if you’re looking for somewhere to eat, here are some of the best restaurants worth trying out in town:
- Carmel Bakery: European bakery known for their pastries and pretzels
- Lafayette Bakery: French bakery with amazing croissants
- From Scratch: Great hearty breakfast restaurant
- Dametra Cafe: Must-try Greek restaurant with live music
3. Do the 17 Mile Drive
The 17 Mile Drive is a scenic drive through the gated community of Pebble Beach, just north of Carmel-by-the-sea. It winds along the coast, past scenic vistas like the Lone Cypress tree, mansions, and golf courses.
You can enter the drive via Carmel Gate (right next to Carmel Beach), and drive south to north to enjoy the views.
It costs $12/vehicle to enter the gated community, and you’ll be provided with a map of all the scenic vistas.
4. Visit The Carmel Mission Basilica Museum
The Carmel Mission is a beautiful Spanish mission built in 1797 that now operates as a museum. It has a large outdoor courtyard with fountains and colorful manicured gardens so it’s a lovely place to stroll around.
You can also tour the inside of the museum for $15/person to check out the art and historical exhibits.
5. Go Hiking At Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
If you’re looking for a beautiful place to hike along the coast, head to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. This is an amazing oceanfront park, just 10 minutes south of Carmel, with a variety of coastal hiking trails.
I spent around a little over an hour at the park, and hiked the Cypress Grove and Bird Island Trail. The Cypress Grove was a short 0.8 mile trail through a cypress forest to a dramatic view of the ocean and large rock formations.
The Bird Island Trail is another short 0.8 mile trail to a picturesque cove, and an incredible view of the rugged coastline. It costs $10/vehicle to enter, and they provide you with a park map upon arrival.
6. Visit The Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the country, and less than a 20 minute drive from Carmel.
The aquarium is home to everything from jellyfish to leopard sharks, and has nearly 200 different exhibits, so it’s entertaining for all ages.
Entrance to the aquarium is $60/adult, and it’s well worth adding to your itinerary if you have the time.
7. Stroll Around Old Fisherman’s Wharf
If you want to savor clam chowder by the water, head to Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. This is a pier dotted with seafood restaurants, gift stores, and dessert shops.
You can stop by Old Fisherman’s Grotto to try their famous clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, and watch for sea lions by the pier. It’s a fun place to stroll around, and only around a 15 minute drive from Carmel.
8. Go On A Whale Watching Tour In Monterey
If you’re up for adventure, go on a whale watching tour in Monterey. Monterey Bay is home to several species of whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other fascinating marine life.
You can go on a whale watching tour from Old Fisherman’s Wharf to spot wildlife, and learn all about Monterey’s unique underwater ecosystem.
9. Visit The Bixby Creek Bridge
Big Sur’s Bixby Bridge is an iconic bridge off of Highway 1, and only a 30 minute drive south of Carmel. It’s a towering 280 ft tall bridge, with a spectacular view of the rugged cliffs and coastline of Big Sur.
There’s easy free parking alongside the bridge, and it’s an amazing photo opportunity to keep for memories.
10. See Purple Sand At Pfeiffer Beach
Carmel is less than an hour’s drive from Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur’s unique purple sand beach. This beach is popular for the keyhole rock sea arch, and the purple sand it gets from manganese rocks that erode from the cliffs.
It costs $12/vehicle visit, and it’s the perfect beach to have a picnic and watch the sunset.
11. Hike To Mcway Falls And Partington Cove
Carmel is only around an hour drive from Mcway Falls and Partington Cove, two beautiful Big Sur hikes off of Highway 1.
Partington Cove is a short 1 mile hike to a picturesque cove with benches, and Mcway Falls is a scenic coastal waterfall that’s accessible by a short half mile walk.
They’re both located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and free to visit as long as you park on the street.
12. Go On An Estuary Boat Tour
If you’re interested in wildlife, go on a boat tour of the Elkhorn Slough in Monterey Bay. This is a coastal wetland located between Monterey and Santa Cruz, that’s home to everything from harbor seals to otters, and birds.
On a tour, you’ll get to cruise through the salt marshes, spot wildlife, and learn all about the local ecosystem.
13. Hike At Garrapata State Park
Garrapata State Park is an amazing coastal state park, just 20 minutes south of Carmel. It’s located off of Highway 1 on the way to Big Sur, and it’s completely free to visit!
You can hike the Garrapata Trail down to access Garrapata Beach, and continue walking to see a valley of beautiful Calla Lily flowers by the river.
14. Go On A Day Trip To Capitola or Santa Cruz
If you run out of fun things to do in Carmel, go on a day trip to Capitola or Santa Cruz. Capitola is a charming little city (45 min north of Carmel), with a sandy beach, colorful pastel houses, and waterfront restaurants.
Santa Cruz is a lively beach town (1 hour north of Carmel) with an amusement park on the beach, and a pier with restaurants and gift shops.
In Santa Cruz, you can ride roller coasters by the ocean, or tour Mystery Spot to see optical illusions in the middle of the redwood forests.
Map Of Carmel-By-The-Sea Attractions
Summary
Carmel-by-the-sea is one of the most charming cities in California. From the beautiful cypress trees lining the ocean to the unique fairytale style architecture, it’s one of those places you leave wishing you could have stayed longer.
If you have limited time in Carmel, I recommend visiting the beach, shopping downtown, and going for a coastal hike at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
And for more ideas on what to do nearby, make sure to check out our 2 day Pacific Coast Highway Itinerary!
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