Things To Do
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Widely considered to be one of the best aquariums in the world. The aquarium is a popular attraction and gets crowded so try to get there early. May need to purchase tickets in advance.
Carmel River State Beach
Our favorite beach. Beautiful place to take a walk on with ample birds and tide pools. Please be warned The water is very cold and there is a strong, powerful longshore current. There are no life guards at the beach. While beautiful to walk along and take pictures, the beaches in this area are NOT for swimming. Layers are a must on the beach as it tends to get windy.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
A very cute downtown area. Excellent restaurants and many boutique shops.
Wine Tasting
There are a number of fantastic wineries in Carmel-By-The-Sea and in the Carmel Valley. The region is famous for its Central Coast pinot noirs and steel barrel chardonnays. Windy Oaks (tasting room found in downtown Carmel) is a personal favorite of ours.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Excellent hiking opportunities and the closest place to Carmel that has Costal Redwood groves, the tallest trees in the world! A scenic drive down the California Coast Highway (Highway 1) from Carmel-by-the-Sea.
17 Mile Drive
A great way to see the coast. Please be advised the weather is subject to change on a moment's notice. Bringing layers is strongly recommended. If you play or have an interest in golf this is the home of Pebble Beach, one of the most famous public courses in the country. They have a small golf museum and several fun restaurants.
Old Fisherman's Wharf
Come here for restaurants, whale watching tours, and shopping.
Garland Ranch Regional Park
Great for day hikes. The trails can range from easy to difficult.