Last October, I decided to spend a weekend in Carmel-By-The-Sea with my wife, and we couldn't have been happier.
Located in the Monterey area, Carmel-by-the-Sea is such a great place to visit because it looks like a European town in the middle of California. Houses look Austrian or Swiss, and there are no addresses to be found in the streets. There is a real sense of community here. People gather once a week to sort out their mail together and have a chat around a cup of coffee. Time seems to go slower in this place. People are not connected on their smartphones 24 hours a day. They take the time to know each other.
Carmel-by-the-Sea has always been very popular with writers, artists and celebrities. This town has had several mayors who were poets or actors, including Herbert Heron, founder of the Forest Theater, bohemian writer and actor Perry Newberry, and actor-director Clint Eastwood. It's a great destination for travellers who love talking about art and culture with like-minded people.
Credit: The Clint Eastwood Archive
A
Pumpkin Rolling Contest takes place every year, and the
Taste of Carmel Festival. Taste of Carmel features local food and wine, live music, outdoor activities, culinary education and experiences, a silent auction showcasing area restaurants, inns and boutique goods — all set in an ancient forest near a white sand beach.
Credit: Taste of Carmel
We stayed in
Hotel Carmel, located in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and it was a great experience. This hotel features a cottage-style architecture with a modern boutique feel at the same time, and it's located right alongside the Pacific Ocean and within walking distance of Carmel-by-the-sea's restaurants and shopping.
The food was excellent, and the staff went out of its way to provide us with excellent service. We really felt at home in this hotel.
We had a blast in this cute town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. I recommend it to people who want to spend a relaxing weekend away from the hustle and bustle. The ocean is so gorgeous there and invigorating. You will feel energized for the rest of the week and you will be dreaming of Carmel when you'll be back in the office.