Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming seaside town on California’s Central Coast with many unique things to do. It’s the perfect weekend getaway from San Francisco, but can also easily be done as a day trip from the Bay Area!

Carmel-by-the-Sea, also just called Carmel, is easily one of the most beautiful places in California. It’s home to a gorgeous coastline with beaches and coastal walking paths, as well as an excellent dining scene with Michelin-starred restaurants.

One of my favorite things about Carmel is the fairytale cottages throughout town. The unique storybook architecture adds to the charm and coziness you feel while visiting Carmel.

Explore my list of the best things to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea to help you plan your perfect trip!

Things To Do in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Best Things To Do in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Stroll the Carmel Beach Walk

My absolute favorite thing to do in Carmel is walk the Carmel Beach Walk on a sunny day. The ocean views are jaw-dropping, especially with the pink candelabra aloe along the path.

You can park at the Mara Carmel Beach parking lot (there are public restrooms here) and or park at the end of Ocean Ave. This is an out-and-back trail, so you can turn around at any point to choose how long the walk is.

Many of the people I encountered on the trail were friendly locals or couples visiting for the weekend, enjoying a stroll in the sunshine.

There are many picturesque spots along this path, and you can even bring binoculars to bird-watch!

Find the Fairytale Houses

Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for its fairytale or storybook architecture seen throughout downtown and houses in the neighborhoods. Visiting these houses is one of the best things to do in Carmel!

Many of the houses were built by Hugh Comstock, who was an American designer and master builder. The first house he built is named Hansel, which he built in 1924 for his wife to showcase her handmade felt dolls (called Otsy-Totsy dolls).

There is a self-guided walking tour of the fairytale houses, if you want to learn about the history of each one as you’re guided through Carmel!

Note: Be mindful that some of these are people’s actual homes. Don’t trespass, keep your voices down, and be respectful.

Relax at the Beaches

The beaches in Carmel are beautiful. On a warm summer day, they are dotted with people enjoying the sunshine and waves. There are just a few beaches that are easily accessible.

Carmel Beach

This pristine, white-sand beach is the northernmost beach in Carmel. It stretches from the Pebble Beach Golf Course and the 17-Mile Drive Carmel Gate to the Clinton Walker House.

Carmel Beach is by far the largest beach in town, meaning even on more crowded days, there is still plenty of space.

Many people consider it one of the best beaches in Northern California! It’s also incredibly dog-friendly (as is the rest of town) if you’re planning to bring your dog.

Carmel River State Beach

If you park at the Mara Carmel Beach parking lot, you’ll be right at Carmel River State Beach. This is a large, protected white-sand beach with a river that runs right to the beach. It’s part of the Carmel River Lagoon and Wetlands Natural Preserve.

Monastery Beach

Although this beach is gorgeous, swimming is prohibited due to the dangerous waves. Monastery Beach is said to be the most dangerous beach in California. Stay safe and keep to the shores if you visit.

Take a Guided Walking Tour

One of the best ways to explore a new place when you first arrive is with a guided tour. It gives you the lay of the land, and you’ll likely learn a few things about Carmel you didn’t know before!

There are a few popular walking tours in Carmel, each a bit different. You can choose the one that best suits your preferences:

Carmel Walks 2-Hour Guided Tour: Explore highlights of the town with a local guide while learning all about Carmel — great even if this isn’t your first time in Carmel! Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
3-Hour Walking Food & Cultural Tour: Take a walking tour of Carmel that includes tastings of chocolates, pasta, honey, pastries, and more.
2-Hour Walking Tour: Guided by someone who wrote a book about Carmel, this leisurely tour is full of stories and history about Carmel!
Self-Guided Audio Tour: If you’re more of a self-exploratory person, a self-guided audio tour is perfect. You can learn about the town and venture to the top sights, all on your own time.

View the Unique Coastal Houses

Butterfly House

When you see this house for the first time, the name will immediately make sense. This house has a unique roof that hangs over the back deck and lifts on either end, giving the appearance of wings.

It’s a mid-century modern style built on an outcropping of granite rocks overlooking the ocean. Frances W. Wynkoop, an American architect, designed the Butterfly House in 1951, completing the build the following year.

Butterfly House can be seen while walking along the Carmel Beach Walk path on Scenic Rd. in Carmel Point.

The Mrs. Clinton Walker House

This unique home, also called “Cabin on the Rocks,” was designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1948. It’s the only oceanfront home he ever designed.

You can spot the house from Carmel Beach or along the Carmel Beach Walk. If you look closely, you can spot a mermaid statue created by sculptor Robert Howard on the deck.

Though it’s listed on the National Historic Register, it was sold for the first time in 2023 for $22 million to a developer in Monaco, with the promise to preserve it in exchange for property tax breaks.

Robinson Jeffers Tor House and Hawk Tower

Robinson Jeffers was a poet who moved to Carmel-by-the-Sea in 1914 and built this home in 1919, inspired by an old Tudor barn his wife saw in England.

Mike Murphy, a hired contractor, and Robinson Jeffers himself built the stone cottage. Soon after, Jeffers built Hawk Tower, which was inspired by his wife’s interest in towers in Ireland. In addition to the buildings on the property, there is also a lovely garden with over 2,000 trees planted by Jeffers.

One of his poems mentions him returning as a ghost 50 years after his own death. There’s an episode of the TV show Ghost Adventures where they visit Tor House 50 years after Jeffers’ death to see if his ghost will return.

The Robinson Jeffers Tor House was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2024. It’s open for small-group tours (max six people) on Saturdays, with occasional special musical tours on Fridays. You must reserve tickets in advance,

Cruise the 17-Mile Drive

One of the most popular things to do in Carmel is the 17-Mile Drive. It stretches from Pacific Grove to Carmel-by-the-Sea, winding along the coast with stunning lookout spots throughout the drive.

Enter at the Pacific Grove entrance and follow the 17-Mile Drive south until you reach the end, which pops you out in Carmel! If you’re already in Carmel, enter at the Highway 1 Gate to hit all 17 stops, while still ending in Carmel (it’s almost a full loop).

The whole drive is truly only 17 miles, but with all the stops, it can add up to a few hours. Get out early and give yourself plenty of time to enjoy each stop, take photos, have a picnic, and go for a walk!

For a unique experience, book a 17-Mile Drive e-bike tour! There’s one tour that starts in Pacific Grove and another that starts in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Visit the Art Galleries

Once an artist colony back in the early 1900s, it’s no surprise that Carmel-by-the-Sea now has many art galleries! In fact, there are over 50 in just one square mile. Many artists live in Carmel, continuing the artist colony legacy.

There are both individual artists’ galleries and larger galleries with works from multiple artists. You’ll find paintings, photography, and sculptures among the galleries.

Check out the full list of Carmel galleries to find the ones that interest you most!

If you will be in Carmel on the second Saturday of the month, do not miss the Carmel Art Walk from 4–7pm. It’s open to the public and allows you to visit galleries and meet the artists.

Stay at a Cozy Inn

Carmel-by-the-Sea has some of the coziest luxury inns for the perfect weekend getaway. Splurge on an ultra-opulent stay, or go with something more quaint and save some money for nice dinners out.

Since it’s a small town (about one square mile), you can stay beachfront or downtown, while still being within walking distance of both.

Best Luxury

L'Auberge Carmel, Relais & Chateaux – 1920s historic luxury hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant
Stilwell Hotel – near upscale shopping and dining with daily breakfast
Villa Mara Carmel – beachfront hotel with upscale rooms and ocean views

Best Mid-Range

Coachman's Inn, A Four Sisters Inn – cozy inn with daily breakfast
Candle Light Inn – in downtown Carmel
Tradewinds Carmel — boutique hotel with daily pastry breakfast

Best Budget

Carmel Bay View Inn – one mile from the beach and the mission
The Vendange Carmel Inn & Suites – a wine-themed inn with each room sponsored by a local winery

Go Wine Tasting in the Valley

Some of Carmel is part of the Monterey AVA, an American Viticultural Area that stretches from northern Monterey Bay to Paso Robles. In other words, there are incredible wineries here!

The best wine tasting is in Carmel Valley, which is about 15-20 minutes inland from Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Skip the planning (and driving) and book a private, highly-rated Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tour that sets the itinerary for you and includes hotel pick-up/drop-off, wine-tasting fees, and a guided vineyard walk.

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Coming from Monterey? The Carmel Valley Wine Trolley picks up in Monterey and brings you to three wine tastings in Carmel Valley and lunch at a local restaurant. The tour fee includes your transportation, tastings, a bottle of wine, lunch, and a local guide.

If you prefer to stay in town, the Wine Tasting and Walking Tour in Carmel-by-the-Sea combines a walking tour of the town with wine tastings at three tasting rooms. This tour has a max of eight people, but you can make it private if you book for a group of six or more.

Tour Carmel Mission Basilica

The Carmel Mission Basilica, also called Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, is an active mission with weekly mass — they even host weddings! It’s called the “Father of the California Missions” and is a shrine to Father Junipero Sera.

The mission is both a National and State Historic Landmark, and it’s open to the public to tour the grounds, visit the museum, and shop at the gift shop.

This is one of my favorite California Missions (Old Mission Santa Barbara takes first place) and one of my favorite things to do in Carmel! The interior courtyard is large and well-maintained, while the front entrance has lovely gardens, a fountain, and benches to sit and relax.

It’s easy to spend a couple of hours walking around, sitting on the benches, and exploring the inside of the mission.

Take an Electric Bike Tour

If a walking tour doesn’t suit your pace, an electric bike tour might be a better option! You can choose between a coastal e-bike tour or an around-town e-bike tour. Both are highly rated, last about 2.5–3 hours, and include the e-bike and helmet.

Eat at a Michelin-Starred Restaurant

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a foodie paradise with an impressive restaurant scene, boasting TWO Michelin-starred restaurants in this tiny town.

Aubergine has two Michelin stars, serving “innovative New American fare.” The set menu changes daily, so you never know what will be served! It’s located in the opulent L’Auberge Carmel hotel, which is an excellent spot for a luxury stay.

Chez Noir has one Michelin star, with a “modern, seafood-centric menu” (according to their website) in a craftsman-style home. It’s run by a husband and wife who serve dishes with ingredients local to the Monterey Peninsula.

If Michelin Stars aren’t a draw for you, Carmel has a thriving dining scene with tons of excellent restaurants. A few popular ones are Nora’s, La Bicyclette Restaurant, Dametra Cafe, and Treehouse Café.

Explore the Charming Downtown

The main street in Carmel is Ocean Avenue. It is lined with shops, restaurants, hotels, and inns. It’s a great place to window shop after getting lunch/dinner downtown.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is incredibly walkable, though there are quite a few hills. Downtown Carmel is a popular spot for a stroll, especially in the evenings, as everyone heads out to dinner.

Carmel Plaza, in the heart of downtown, is where you’ll find many of the shops, restaurants, and tasting rooms.

If you’re having trouble finding street parking and don’t mind walking, drive to the end of Ocean Avenue and park in the public parking lot. There are a few other public lots throughout town (all marked on Google Maps).

Catch a Show at the Sunset Center

The Sunset Center is a theater that offers a variety of shows, including plays, concert performances, and movie showings.

During the holidays, they host The Nutcracker performances by the Monterey Peninsula Ballet Theater. They also run a free film series, with a free movie showing once a month.

Visit Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Just south of Carmel is one of the most beautiful spots in California. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve costs $5 per car to enter and closes just before sundown.

It’s a self-guided drive, similar to the 17-mile drive, but there are also hiking trails you can explore instead of only roadside stops with views. I recommend walking the half-mile loop trail at Cypress Grove, where you’ll venture through the coastal cypresses with some glimpses of the ocean.

There are a few other stops with viewpoints after this before you reach the end of the road. The viewpoints are all connected by a walkable coastal trail, or you could drive and park in the small lots at each point.

The final stop is Bird Island Trail Parking Lot. This is the end of the road, where you need to turn around and drive back out to leave. Before you leave, park in the lot and walk the Bird Island Trail to the lookout point.

It’s a gorgeous walk, especially at golden hour, with a view of the rock for which it’s named.