When you’re in Carmel, don’t miss out on the many highlights. The main street of the town is Ocean Avenue, which runs from downtown to the beach. Along the way, you’ll find historic hotels, charming cottages, and hidden nooks. For a cup of coffee, visit Carmel Valley Roasting Company, which features local artwork. For a more detailed tour, you can also download an audio guide featuring highlights of the town’s cottages.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
The Reserve offers two short trails that allow visitors to enjoy breathtaking coastal views. You can take the Sea Lion Point Trail and the Sandhill Trail. The first trail starts from Sea Lion Point parking area and takes you along the coast past cypress forests. The other trail takes you around the south side of the Headlands and leads to a prominent rocky outcropping.
The Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a popular destination with about 150 parking spots. The Reserve is open every day of the year except Christmas Day. Parking is free for walk-in visitors, though it can fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
If you’re into scuba diving, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is one of California’s premier dive sites. It features several types of marine life and a beautiful forest below the surface. There is also a museum here dedicated to the history of Point Lobos.
Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is one of California’s most spectacular state parks. It’s located in the scenic Monterey Peninsula, just two hours south of San Francisco. Its natural beauty has led many to call it the “crown jewel” of the state park system. In addition to breathtaking natural scenery, the Point Lobos Reserve also features stunning hiking trails and the Point Lobos beach.
There are plenty of great places to stay in Carmel. If you want to stay downtown, you can stay at the Vagabond’s House, a unique boutique hotel. The Vagabond’s House also has an on-site spa. Another great option is the Candlelight Inn, an elegant downtown inn with a cozy patio.
Frank Lloyd Wright House
If you want to see a truly unique piece of architecture, the Frank Lloyd Wright House in Carmel is the place to go. Built on a triangular foundation, the compact house was designed by Wright and completed in 1951. Its original roof was made of copper, but it was replaced with enamel shingles during the Korean War. This house was built for a widow, Mrs. Clinton Della Walker, who wanted to live alone. She had owned the land since 1918.
The home’s exterior is topped with a large wooden doorway. Several rooms have views of the bay. The home also features odd-shaped baths, including one with a single right-angled angle. In the living room, a wedge-shaped coffee table is surrounded by built-in seating. The fourth wall of the room is a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. The house features a central chimney, which Wright designed to support the weight of the roof.
Located on Carmel Point, the Mrs. Clinton Walker House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The house was completed in 1951 for Mrs. Clinton Della Walker, a resident of Pebble Beach. The home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The design of the house was based on the principles of a ship’s bridge, and Wright also introduced open floor plans.
The house is one of the few Frank Lloyd Wright houses in the Carmel area. It sits just north of the ocean. The exterior is topped with blue-green baked-enamel shingles, and the house has a private beach. It is interesting to note that the house was insured for a modest $25,000 and the owners had no idea of its cost.
Garland Ranch Regional Park
Located at 700 West Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley, California, the Garland Ranch Regional Park is a 3,464-acre public recreational area. The park is owned by the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District. While visiting Carmel, be sure to enjoy the park’s many amenities.
The area is home to the Sunset Center, one of Carmel’s premier performing arts venues. The theater was formerly the Sunset School, but the school closed due to financial problems. After the school closed, local artists sought a venue for their art. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
This park is a beautiful spot for hiking and biking. It includes numerous trails that are not too long or difficult, and many of them overlook the beautiful Monterey pine woods. It is also home to a variety of bird species. Hikers can also enjoy the wild lilacs and California poppies that bloom in the spring.
There is a hiking trail for every level of hiker, from beginners to experienced hikers. The trails range from nearly flat to steep inclines, making it possible to find the perfect trail for everyone. The Buckeye Nature Trail is perfect for novice hikers, while the East Ridge Trail and Snivley’s Ridge trails are more challenging and offer breathtaking views. The park is open every day from sunrise to sunset, and is a great place to experience nature.
Another area that is accessible by car is Carmel River Beach. The park is located next to the Carmel River, a popular spot for scuba divers, kayakers, and birdwatchers. Accessible from the south side of Carmel, it stretches from the end of Carmelo Street and opens into the mouth of Carmel Valley.
Little Napoli
Little Napoli is one of the best places in Carmel to enjoy Italian cuisine. The small, picturesque town has a wide variety of eateries, art galleries, and hotels to enjoy. You can even rent a cozy cottage and enjoy ocean views. There is so much to do and see in Carmel that you can spend a whole day exploring the area.
This Carmel, CA restaurant was founded in 1990 and has become one of the most famous Italian restaurants on the Monterey Peninsula. The menu features authentic southern Italian specialties and a thoughtful wine list. The wine list focuses on interesting and notable Italian wines, as well as those from Monterey County. Little Napoli also offers a full bar menu, which is a great way to enjoy a drink while eating your favorite Italian meal.
If you have never been to Little Napoli, be sure to make time to do so. The town’s bar Napoli is a local favorite, offering happy hour from 4pm to 6pm. There are four large flat-screen televisions, and the place is perfect for a group or family gathering. You can even host private events here. The bar carries PEPE wines, including PepeCello and Doc Pepe’s Lab. The selection also includes some great Italian wines from Galante, Antinori, and Silvestri.
There are plenty of wine tasting rooms in the downtown area. Try some of the wines at the Silverstri Vineyards Tasting Room, which features Chardonnays, Pinot Gris, and Syrah, as well as sparkling wine. Also, make sure to sample the many olive oils and balsamic vinegars available here.
Der Ling Lane
Located near the ocean, Der Ling Lane is one of the most photographed alleyways in Carmel. It is home to several restaurants and a gallery featuring local artists. You can also enjoy delicious local wines and cheeses. Carmel is home to over 100 art galleries and is known for its art scene.
The town is about one square mile and has numerous attractions. The main street, Ocean Avenue, stretches from Highway One to the beach. It is lined with upscale shops and cafes. There are also many restaurants and shops on the seafront. If you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, head to Carmel Bakery. You can also stop at Cottage of Sweets for imported and British candies.
Another place to visit in Carmel is the famous Bootleg Point. The area was once a harbor for liqueur boats during Prohibition. From there, the goods would be transported through a tunnel to the Edward Kuster House. This house is a rock castle-style three-story home. The house was once owned by Edward Kuster and is now owned by the Big Sur Land Trust.
The town is also known for its art galleries. Many local artists have worked in Carmel since the early 1900s. There are over 100 art galleries and studios in the city. One of the best ways to appreciate these works is to take a tour of these buildings and the town’s unique art scene.
The Bernardus Lodge & Spa is another excellent place to stay in Carmel. It is dog-friendly and offers onsite parking. Some rooms have private patios or a peek-a-boo view of the ocean. There is also a wine hour in the evening.