Spoiler: itās Carmel-by-the-Sea, and yes, itās just a short flight away
Tucked along Californiaās famous Highway 1, Carmel-by-the-Sea is the kind of place that makes you question whether you accidentally crossed an ocean. Hidden courtyards spill with bougainvillea and storybook cottages tilt just enough to feel whimsical and charming streets that lead to the shoreline. Itās European romance with California ease; a little Tuscany, a little French Riviera, but with no passport required.
And the best part? This dreamy escape is closer than you think. With direct flights, itās an easy trip and the perfect choice for a fall harvest getaway or a winter retreat with cozy inns, wine tasting rooms and fireside dining. Just minutes away from Pebble Beach, Big Sur and Monterey, with world-class golf, a renowned aquarium and one of Californiaās most iconic coastlines, Carmel feels like another world while still at the heart of the Monterey Peninsula.
From Runway to Retreat
Part of Carmelās magic is how easy it is to slip into another world. Whether youāre boarding a quick flight into Monterey or cruising to one of Californiaās most scenic places, the journey itself feels like the first chapter of your getaway. Hop on a direct flight into Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) from LA, San Diego, Burbank or Carlsbad and youāll be strolling Carmelās fairytale streets and secret passageways in under two hours. Road trippers are invited to make Carmel-by-the-Sea their home base where all the amazing attractions and local wonders are minutes away. When you stay in Carmel, youāre at the Gateway to the Best of Big Sur where you can experience California’s most scenic coastline along Highway 1.
From the moment you arrive, the magic of Carmel-by-the-Sea takes over; city buzz fades into coastal calm and secret passageways welcome you like pages from a storybook. When it comes to where youāll stay, Carmelās hotels carry that same sense of transport. LāAuberge Carmel channels Old World elegance with its Euro-style design and intimate charm. La Playa Carmel is a historic stunner where ocean views and champagne breakfasts define the mood. For chic and cozy, Hotel Carmel delivers fireplaces and courtyard cocktails, while Petit Paliās two stylish outposts bring coastal-chic with a playful twist. Newer stays like Stillwell Hotel and Carmel Beach Hotel add fresh energy while honoring the townās timeless spirit..
Food and Wine: Carmelās Edible Passport
Carmel has a way of making every sip and bite feel like part of the journey. With more than 60 restaurants and 18 tasting rooms tucked into its one-square-mile village, itās easy to wander from glass to plate without ever needing a car. The Carmel Wine Walk is the best introduction, where there are many stops like Galante Vineyards, where Jack Galante, great-grandson of Carmelās founder James Devendorf, welcomes visitors. Other stops include Chalone Vineyard, known for estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir rooted in rare limestone soils. Each tasting room feels personal, often with the winemaker behind the bar.
Dining here is just as transportive. Chez Noir, the passion project of husband-and-wife duo Jonny and Monique Black, serves coastal California cuisine with a modern, seafood-driven menu rooted in Montereyās bounty. StationƦry, led by Chef Amalia Scatena, is a beloved neighborhood spot known for elegant, farm-sourced plates and a seasonally shifting menu. For rustic French flavors, La Bicyclette turns out wood-fired fare in a storybook setting, while Il Tegamino, tucked into the Court of the Golden Bough, delivers one of the townās best Italian secrets.
A Place Made for Wandering
Days in Carmel-by-the-Sea unfold like a story you donāt want to end. Start with a stroll along the Scenic Bluff Path, where waves crash below Carmel Beachās white sands. Our favorite part? Itās famously dog-friendly. Lace up for a hike at Point Lobos Reserve, where trails follow the shoreline and sea otters and whales are often spotted. For a change of scenery, climb into the hills at Palo Corona, a mountain hike with sweeping views of the ocean and Carmel Valley.
If your visit coincides with festival season, the town comes alive in new ways. Harvest season pairs crisp coastal air with wine country energy, opening with the 37th Annual Taste of Carmel on Oct. 2. Held in the historic Carmel Mission courtyard, this signature evening, dubbed Boots, Bottles & Bites, brings together 70 local restaurants and wineries, live music and a spirited silent auction under the stars. Itās a food-and-wine experience that invites you to sip, savor and linger before retreating to a cozy inn for the night.Ā
On Oct. 11, the 6th Annual Meet the Makers invites you to experience Carmel-by-the-Seaās artist colony legacy in style. Starting in Devendorf Park, the evening unfolds with a stroll through downtownās gallery-lined streets. Here blue lanterns mark the way to participating spaces. Step inside artist-owned studios and galleries like the Carmel Art Association, Delia Bradford Gallery and MEUSE Gallery Carmel, sip wines from Monterey County favorites such as Bernardus and Folktale, sample bites from local culinary crafters and enjoy live music by Afterglow. Part gallery hop, part wine walk, this artful evening is a true taste of Carmelās creative spirit.Ā
Autumn Air, Winter Glow
Fall and winter in Carmel-by-the-Sea arenāt just beautiful, theyāre packed with traditions and events that highlight the townās playful spirit as much as its wine and romance. Families can join the Annual Pumpkin Roll on Oct. 25, when Ocean Avenue transforms into a hay bale-lined racecourse for pumpkins. As part of Carmelās month-long birthday celebrations, the main event is the The 109th City Birthday Party & Halloween Parade. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea was incorporated on Halloween in 1916, so it celebrates its birthday and the country’s favorite costume-and-candy holiday with a Halloween Parade that really captures Carmelās playful side.
As the season cools, Carmel-by-the-Sea shifts from harvest buzz to holiday glow. The celebration begins with Holidays in the Park on Dec. 5, when Devendorf Park hosts the cityās annual holiday tree and menorah lighting. Santa makes his grand entrance by fire truck while carolers and brass bands fill the air with holiday cheer. Families gather for dreidel games, festive treats, and kidsā activities before the tree lighting at dusk.
The celebration continues at the Carmel Plaza Holiday Open House with small bites, warm drinks, and a little shopping. Guests can even meet Martin the Magical Elf. By mid-December, Carmel Plaza shimmers with twinkling lights, turning the town into a real-life snow globeājust without the snow.
Off-season perks? Great rates, fewer crowds and that unmistakable feeling of having discovered somewhere truly special.
Love Carmel Like a Local
Carmel-by-the-Sea is the most walkable beach town and Monterey Peninsula’s crown jewel, meaning bucket-list adventures are minutes away. Cruise the picturesque 17-Mile Drive in famous Pebble Beach.Ā Then, explore the Monterey Bay Aquarium or venture south into Big Surās dramatic cliffs. World-class golf, whale watching and historic spots like Old Fishermanās Wharf round out a destination thatās somehow both laid-back and larger than life.
Yet Carmel isnāt only about where you go, itās about how you experience it. The village was founded with nature in mind. Today, that legacy lives on through destination stewardship, inspiring travelers to explore responsibly and protect Carmelās beauty for generations ahead. Consider it your invitation to love Carmel like a local. Linger in the hidden courtyards. Savor the coastal scenery. And leave this storybook town just as enchanting as you found it.
A California local, Kathleen Hokit grew up on a farm but spent every chance she could at the beach. After earning her graduate degree in the social sciences in Finland, she built a 17+ year career writing and editing across lifestyle, entertainment, and culture. A longtime magazine lover, she now lives the dream as part of the editorial team at LOCALE. When sheās not on deadline, sheās hiking or sneaking in a beach day with her husband and son. Kathleen loves all things artāfrom writing and photography to spending time on the dance floor, where she teaches ballet to everyone from tiny tots to grown-ups on their pas de bourrĆ©e path.
