We took our annual family Christmas vacation to Carmel by the Sea in California! Rated a top 10 destination in the US year after year, Carmel is a unique, European-style village nestled above a beautiful white-sand beach where everything is within walking distance. From performing arts to hundreds of shops, art galleries, and restaurants, you can do everything or nothing at all.
click any image to shop & make sure to screenshot my travel guide for your next trip!
My Top 5 Outfits For Carmel-By-The-Sea
Where We Stayed
local air bnb: we rented out a 3 bed 3 bath home in carmel. great location walking distance from the downtown area. home had a great private yard with fire pit, outdoor furniture and a bbq pit! Check out the rental here!
Where We Ate
- alvarado street brewery: a fun casual lunch option with lots of outdoor seating. the margarita pizza is my fave!
- carmel’s bistro giovanni: warm and comfy italian restaurant that offers tons of gluten-free dishes.
- epsilon: serves traditional health-inspired greek cuisine. the best food i think i have ever had. the cheesecake is a MUST! 400/10
- la bicyclette: this tiny restaurant is one that is a must stop. wood fire oven pizza is so good. if i closed my eyes, i would swear i was in italy.
- pangaea grill: a casual upscale restaurant specializing in asian fusion. also a great breakfast option.
- treehouse cafe: cozy rooftop restaurant in the middle of town with lots of variety. everyone in your group will find something they love.
looking to escape the city and head to the mountains? check out my travel guide for banff, canada!
What We Did
- carmel beach: a hotspot for marine life! on any given day you may spot whales, dolphins, sharks, sea otters, and more. don’t plan on swimming much though because the water here stays pretty cool year round.
- pebble beach golf links: play a round of golf at the #1 ranked public golf course in the country. be sure to reserve your tee time about 18 months in advance as these reservations go quickly!
- refuge spa: my sister and i enjoyed a relaxing massage and then got to use the hot/cold tubs, steam room, and sauna for an hour. it was a great experience. be sure to make reservations in advance and remember to bring a swimsuit with you!
- big sur: the section of hwy 1 running through big sur is widely considered one of the most scenic roads in the country, if not the world. be sure to take a drive and bring your camera!
- ocean avenue: ocean avenue is packed with beautiful cottages, boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants. check out the small alleyways as there are many more hidden shops. follow the street down to the beach to catch the sunset.
What To Wear
- pack lots of layers to help keep you warm from the sea breeze.
- remember a pair of comfy shoes to walk around town and down at the beach.
want to vacation in a town straight out of a hallmark movie? check out my travel guide for stowe, vermont.
Check out some of the other pics from our trip!
I hope this helps if you’re thinking about Carmel for your next vacation! If you have any other ideas & must-sees you would like to share, be sure to add them to the comments!
be sure to screenshot the carmel travel itinerary for help with planning your trip!
xoxo, E
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