Guest post by edwyer
Map tips: each color represents a different day. Click a marker to learn more about the spot, and click the star in the map header to save the entire map under Your Places in Google Maps.
I broke this down into 3 manageable days but I could spend a week here – it’s my favorite place. Carmel (or Carmel-by-the-sea) is about an hour and a half, maybe 2 hours depending on traffic, south of San Francisco. It’s not a big city, very small and charming. Monterey is about 10-15 minutes north of Carmel, so if you’re going to be based in Carmel you’ll pass it on your way.
Day 1: Carmel-by-the-Sea
- The Carmel Coffee House and Roasting Company
- Ocean Avenue
- Mission Ranch Hotel
Carmel Coffee House and Roasing Company to start the day. Little courtyard, dog-friendly.
Ocean Avenue – start at the top of the hill and walk your way down the whole road to the beach. Everything from home goods to clothing, shoes, jewelry. End up at Carmel Beach. Walk the dog, sit and enjoy the water, watch the sunset. Good all-inclusive day w/out being too strenuous.
Mission Ranch for dinner. Clint Eastwood’s farm/hotel – a lot of the time Clint will be there! Great food, where I got married so it holds a special place. It’s only a mile from Ocean Avenue so it’s within walking distance.
Day 2: Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Bruno’s Market & Deli
- Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
- Weston Beach Point Lobos
- China Cove
Little more adventurous. Get snacks at Bruno’s market – sandwiches, chips, stuff for spending the rest of the day on foot.
Point Lobos – State Park/Natural Reserve. Beautiful area – turquoise water, secluded bays. Weston Beach and China Cove are excellent. Different beaches you can visit, good variety of strenuous hikes and easy hikes. Can see a lot of different things w/out having to venture too far.
Day 3: Monterey
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
- Cannery Row
Monterrey Bay aquarium – lots of interactive exhibits, good for both kids and adults. Half day.
Cannery Row – waterfront street with restaurants and local shops. Easily spend the rest of the day here. There’s a wax museum – it’s older so they don’t look real, kinda on the creepy side, but that makes it fun.
Traveled in August 2016
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