Carmel is a great escape. It has a special charm and dramatic beach landscapes with blue waters,…read morecliffs and majestic cypress trees. It is quaint, perfect for a 1-2 stop, great to stroll on Ocean Ave. and check out the art galleries, the nice shops and enjoy a fresh seafood meal. Life stops its fast pace while here. Wear layers! I always get cold here and bring comfy shoes to explore the small, cute town! A landmark of California!

Brought family down to see Big Sur. We stopped by Carmel to get some food…read more I love that this has got to be the most dog friendly city in California. Almost all restaurants and stores are accommodating. Saw couple of people picking up after their dogs. Also saw plenty of trash cans. Also street parking is still free, if you can find a spot.

This is my second time using the Sand Guys for a team building event and all I can say is Wow!! I…read morehave referred them many times, and will many more!! This is an amazing team building event for any type of business unit, they are organized, incredibly friendly, and helpful .. in a word .. MAGICAL!! When you arrive, they have an example of what you can build .. folks arrive thinking .."This is so cool" .. "What the heck is Kim making us do??" "Really"?? Rusty the Sand Guy (as I like to call him) began by giving very clear, easy instructions on how to build your base. He got everyone started within their team then he and his partner went to each team individually to provide instruction on how to make a solid foundation, ways to build upon your base. and how to add details! teams began first by compiling a very large pile of sand .. and staring into space .. "what will we do". Within minutes your team is not only collaborating on the best way to execute, but WORKING together to create something really special. I participated the first time, I got to observe and help the second time. I learned so much about my team, who are the leaders, who is the most creative. who can advise and execute. We put this group into teams of people they did not know well, they all created and collaborated to create something very cool. You have about two hours to devise your plan and create. The entire group was fully engaged, everyone designated their own unique way of participating, and no one was left out or let their team down. Did I mention how competitive this became?? such a great day at the beach, and a new skill to show off to your kids and friends. Not only did I get amazing feedback form everyone on the team, I was told by those that laughed and thought it was silly; that it was one for the best team buildings they ever have had. I highly recommend the San Guys, the creativity and camaraderie it inspires is invaluable for all aspects of relationship building!

From the owner: Team building, corporate events, weddings, art & entertainment.read more

The scenic 17-mile, two-lane drive along the Monterey Peninsula is breathtaking…read more The entry fee per vehicle is $12.50, and if you spend $35.00 or more at any of the Pebble Beach Resorts Restaurants, your entry fee is reimbursed. This is a scenic and relaxing drive where you can park and get out of your vehicle to search for crabs and shells or walk along the white sand. It's a great place to take pictures or record videos of empty beaches, birds, and the ocean. On this drive, you'll see important landmarks such as the Lone Cypress, the Ghost Trees, Seal Rock, Bird Rock, China Rock, Pebble Beach Golf Course, and much more. Be sure to pick up the free 17-mile guide at the entrance points to the tour.

17-Mile Drive was one of the prettiest parts of our Monterey/Carmel visit. We started in Monterey…read moreand exited in Carmel, and the whole route felt like a postcard. The ocean views are gorgeous, especially along the cliffside sections. There are plenty of places to stop at beaches, take photos, and just enjoy the coastline. The homes along the route are stunning, and of course, Pebble Beach Golf Links adds that classic Monterey luxury feel. This is an easy recommendation. Beautiful drive, dramatic ocean views, beach stops, golf scenery, and a perfect way to connect Monterey and Carmel.

During a trip to Monterey for my folks' 40th wedding anniversary, we were strolling around Carmel…read moreand looking for some wineries that had affordable tastings and solid reviews. My brother had visited Wrath only to purchase a bottle a couple years ago, and out of convenience, having parked in the garage right by the Carmel Plaza, Wrath seemed like a decent place for a wine tasting on a Saturday afternoon. Kathy was fantastic - very accommodating to our party of 6+baby+stroller, as we were able to sit outside and also listen to some of the live music, which the non-wine-tasters in the party enjoyed. I ended up getting the Single Vineyard Tasting, which came with 5 wines (one white, four reds, mostly Pinot). All were very tasty, had a great smell (i.e. not too vinegar/alcohol-y), and were overall decently priced between $29-$55 per bottle. I personally enjoyed the KW Ranch - sweet and smooth, and purchased a bottle, but we also just really appreciated the atmosphere and service of Wrath winery!

Great spot to grab some wine near Alvarado brewery So glad…read moreI stumbled upon this spot. We were greeted by Kathy and she recommended white and red wines for us Cannot wait to be back They also have outdoor seating

Briefly stopped by the beach after having lunch in downtown Carmel. Now clearly understanding why…read morethe beach is loved so much. Carmel Beach is recognized as having the 'whitest' sand in the United States, and number 14 globally. This color comes from quartz deposits eroded by the waves. There is a parking lot at the north end of the beach on Ocean Avenue (maybe 30 spots or so), that is usually filled, meaning people are constantly idling in the parking lot, waiting for a spot. The parking lot is elevated from the beach, requiring carefully going down a sand bank. My wife and her mom decided to admire the view by sitting on a retaining wall at the top of the bern, while I happily went down to the shoreline to admire the views. The sand here is more golden than white. The road that runs parallel to the beach and boardwalk in Carmel is Scenic Road and we took it as we headed back to our cottage. There was street unmetered parking spots available and I noticed how much brighter/whiter the sand was in this area (a lot less crowded as well). Thinking back, wish we had stopped so I could have admired this part of the beach a bit more.

I absolutely love Carmel Beach. Some of my happiest memories are here with my great-grandparents,…read moreBarbara and Montford Bryan, so coming back always feels special and nostalgic. Getting to bring my daughter now makes the experience even more meaningful. Watching her enjoy the same beautiful beach and scenery that meant so much to me growing up is such a cool and rewarding experience as a parent. Carmel Beach is just magical, with beautiful views, peaceful vibes, and the perfect place to slow down and make memories. We'll keep coming back every chance we get.

This work of art can be found in the patio area of Terry's Lounge at the Cypress Inn in Carmel. The…read moreartist, Thierry Guetta (aka "Mr. Brainwash"), has collaborated with and done artwork for Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. He starred in Banksy-directed film, Exit Through the Gift Shop, and has created art pieces resemblant of Banksy's style... perhaps controversial as to the true creator, it doesn't take away from Guetta's Chaplin mural one bit, the quirky character portrayed carrying a can of pink paint. A giant pink heart in the background, displayed with a dripping paint technique. Quite simple, but worth checking out if dining at Terry's or just strolling along 7th Avenue in downtown Carmel.

We came in on a Saturday night in August of 2025 with a reservation. Tree House Cafe has been on…read moreour radar for the longest time already but they are so in demand that it's a bit hard to get a reservation sometimes. Parking can be difficult as they are located in downtown Carmel. Came in a bit early to try to be seated earlier but they were fully booked so we waited for our designated reservation time. They always serve you with complimentary bread service of focaccia in garlic infused olive oil & balsamic vinegar. We had grilled calamari and crispy garlic fries for starters. Our main dishes were Seafood pasta, Gyros Platter, Prawn Pasta, Osso Buco and Steak of the Day - 16 oz sirloin in peppercorn sauce. Dessert was cookie butter banana pie and complimentary baklava. Tree House cafe is a cozy rooftop restaurant with shaded outdoor seating as well as indoor seating located in the heart of Carmel. They're a mixture of Mediterranean, Greek and Thai flavors. Reasonably priced, friendly atmosphere, pet friendly and good food. What more can you ask for. Definitely a must try when in this side of town. June 2026

Treehouse Café has the kind of cozy, tucked away charm that fits Carmel perfectly. The indoor and…read moreoutdoor seating is beautiful, the atmosphere is inviting, and the staff was genuinely friendly from start to finish. The first thing they brought out was bread with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette and, no joke, that ended up being my favorite bite of the meal. I was still thinking about the bread while eating everything else, which probably says more than I intended. The clam chowder was good and comforting, but if you've had chowder in Monterey, you know the bar is pretty high. The calamari was the bigger disappointment. It was chewy instead of tender and didn't have that light, crispy crunch that makes calamari worth ordering in the first place. By the time we finished the chowder and calamari we were full, but we still looked through the menu to see if anything tempted us. Honestly, nothing really stood out. The pasta prices felt steep, and there wasn't a dish that made us say, "Okay, we have to come back and try that." The only thing that really took away from the experience was how close the tables were. I could hear the people next to us whispering and accidentally became invested in a conversation I was never invited to. Overall, it's a cute place with great service and a nice ambiance that's worth checking out if you're visiting Carmel. I don't regret going, but I also don't see myself going back. On the bright side, at least the bread gave me something to remember. Someone in that kitchen deserves a raise for that basket alone.

Our friends bought us a private tour - Enjoy Carmel by Carmel Food Tours. We would highly recommend…read moreCarmel Food Tours - we thought they did a great job. They were super responsive when we wanted to book our tour with just a few days notice - so mad props for their fast, friendly service in getting us booked so quickly!! Our guide was friendly and very knowledgeable about Carmel, and provided an overview about the area and was very willing to answer any questions we had. We enjoyed chatting with her throughout the 4 hour experience. We enjoyed tastes from 5-6 different locations throughout the downtown Carmel area. We were definitely provided a lot of variety and everything was delicious - from doughnuts and coffee and nuts to French onion soup and sushi. We had the opportunity at one of the locations (Toro) to have an interactive experience, spending time speaking with the general manager learning the background about the restaurant. We also had a special sake tasting featuring three different sakes. It was a very unique experience and the sushi was also extremely fresh and delicious. Overall, it was a good experience and we were able to enjoy a nice variety of food that local restaurants provide. Important tips for future tour goers: 1. Don't eat before going on a food tour. We thankfully didn't eat -otherwise, we would not have been able to enjoy the food tour to its fullest. 2. Don't book any reservations to restaurants that same day. We were still stuffed by the time it was time to go to dinner - and that was more than 5 hours later!

This was such an amazing experience! I learned so much about Carmel. Our tour guide Bonnie was…read moregreat! All the food and wine stops were exquisite! Lives this and will definitely do this again!

Came here on a Friday night, and we were able to get a table without waiting. The servers were very…read morefriendly and checked in frequently to make sure we were enjoying our food and drinks. The garlic bread was excellent. Surprisingly soft, light, and the perfect way to start the meal. There are also TVs throughout the restaurant, so we enjoyed watching the FIFA games while we ate, which made the experience even better.

We were visiting Monterey and Carmel for our one year anniversary and decided to try out Little…read moreNapoli - and it did not disappoint! I made a reservation for my husband and I online the week of our trip (the website and online reservation was super easy to use) and I was able to select outdoor seating since we were bringing our dog with us. Bonus: they are dog friendly! When we arrived we were able to find street parking right away (there is lots of street parking in the area). We were greeted by a very warm and friendly hostess. Our waitress was equally as amazing very attentive to us, refilling our drinks when needed (including the dog's water bowl) and checking in with us. The food was so yummy and delicious. We got the garlic bread to start and it was so light and airy. I was worried the bread was going to be heave and dense and that I would get full from it, but it was the opposite. The garlic and cheese added so much flavor to the bread. My husband got the Fangool pizza which he said was absolutely delicious and finished the whole thing. I got the cheese ravioli and it was also delicious, the cheese in the ravioli was so good and the pasta was cooked perfectly. It is a very cute place to eat and we actually enjoyed sitting in the patio with the cute decor it made you feel like you were eating in Italy. We will definitely be coming back here next time we're in the area.