CALIFORNIA’S JEWEL CITY: CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
For decades, the stunning natural beauty of Carmel-by-the-Sea has inspired artists, sparked romances, and attracted world travelers. Rated a top-10 destination in the United States, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a unique, European-style village nestled above a beautiful white-sand beach where everything is within walking distance. From world-class performing arts to hundreds of shops, art galleries, and restaurants, you can do everything or nothing at all.
In Carmel-by-the-Sea you can fine-dine at a number of four-star restaurants or eat al fresco at the beach. You can collect art or just covet art and artifacts at almost 100 galleries and antique shops, and you can buy anything from trinkets to Tiffanys. Even those who travel the world are unlikely to encounter another place that has so much to offer in one location.
Dining & Accommodations
Accommodations
Carmel hotels and inns are noteworthy for what they are not. You’ll find no neon, national chains or conventioneers here—just folks who are similarly experiencing the unique rejuvenation Carmel provides. Sitting as they do amidst oceans of flowers and Cypress, and bathed in Pacific breezes, the village’s hotels and inns provide an unparalleled sense of discovery. Each is the landing place for a wholly unique vacation with a host of Carmel hotel and inn special offers.
Dining
Carmel restaurants and bars—despite boasting among them some of the world’s landmark establishments—remain pleasantly undefined. The town’s charming eateries feature a full range of international, regional and local cuisines, all benefiting from their proximity to the bounties provided by the Monterey Bay and Salinas Valley. Taken together, Carmel restaurants have a hallmark blend of Old World elegance and modern charm, all with an artistic flair.
Annual Events
January
Celebrate California Restaurant Month
January is California Restaurant Month, and Carmel-by-the-Sea restaurants offer a wide range of International, regional and local cuisines — all benefiting from their proximity to the bounties provided by the Monterey Bay and Salinas Valley. Taken together, Carmel restaurants have a hallmark blend of Old World elegance and modern charm with an artistic flair. And all within walking distance from your Carmel hotel or inn.
February
AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
(831) 649-1533
Since Bing Crosby brought his Clambake to Pebble Beach more than 60 years ago, the tournament now known as the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am draws talented PGA TOUR pros and an amateur field best known for its celebrities, and has raised more than $93 million for charity. After tournament play on the Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and the Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course Thursday through Saturday, the final round at Pebble Beach features the top-scoring pros and amateur players.
April
Big Sur International Marathon
Highway 1 and Rio Road, Carmel
(831) 625-6226
Considered one of the most scenic marathons in the country — and one of the most difficult — the Big Sur International Marathon gives athletes the rare opportunity to run 26.2 miles of coastline affording some of the most stunning views on the West Coast. One of the most famous sections of the course, a twisting, 2-mile climb followed by a lengthy descent, is known as Hurricane Point for the blustery winds through which runners struggle. With live music performed throughout the course, devoted and lively volunteers, and efficiencies borne of more than two decades of experience staging the run and its accompanying events, the Big Sur Marathon is so popular that it sells out almost every year.
May
Carmel Art Festival & Sculpture in the Park
Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea in Devendorf Park
(831) 642-2503
Free
Combining plein aire painting and live sculpting with exhibits and sales, and lots of live music, the Carmel Art Festival takes over Devendorf Park and nearby side streets for four days of artistic creativity and consumption. On Thursday and Friday, artists create in the park and outdoors throughout the Monterey Peninsula, while Saturday features more Sculpture in the Park, along with live music, awards, and live and silent auctions of the plein aire pieces. On Sunday, artists engage in a Quick Draw competition, with the results also put on sale alongside more plein aire pieces.
August
Pebble Beach Concours Tour d'Elegance
Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea on Ocean Avenue
(831) 622-1700
Free
Nearly 200 of the rare, unique vehicles invited to compete in the world-famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance take a 60-mile tour through the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur Coast, making several stops along the way, in order to show off their cars doing what they were built to do: be driven. A high point of the tour is the lunchtime stop in Carmel-by-the-Sea, when owners park their previous automobiles on Ocean Avenue for people to examine to their hearts’ content while drivers, passengers and VIPs picnic in Devendorf Park. The tour stop offers the opportunity to examine Concours vehicles without paying Concours prices.
October
Carmel Art & Film Festival
Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea
(831) 620-1648
Film and art lovers gather for an incredible weekend along California’s majestic Central Coast for the Carmel Art and Film Festival. From an opening night concert, screenings of independent award-winning films, art shows, wine tastings and gallery crawls, to parties with filmmakers, composers and artists, locals and visitors will enjoy a total immersion in the arts.
