A Day in Carmel by the Sea - Beautiful Beach Town in California
We had an early morning engagement this weekend which led to an early start to the day. However, at the last moments plans changed, as they mostly do. We were left ready without a plan in hand. Thus led to a frantic search for something worthwhile to spend a weekend day. We, after a quick search, zeroed in on Carmel by the Sea. Carmel by the Sea is a small but beautiful California town along the Pacific Coast.
Something about Carmel by the Sea
Carmel by the Sea is a small village with an expanse of about one square mile. The village is located along the central coast of California and has a unique charm in itself. The village town offers a myriad of faces for its visitors and hence satiates diverse interests. Beautiful scenery, restaurants, shopping centers, and historic buildings - there is so much to do in Caramel by the Sea.
Moreover, the town has a unique artistic history and has enjoyed being ruled by famous artists as its mayors. After its incorporation in 1925, the city quickly decided to develop itself as primarily a resident community. The city made a conscious effort to develop its coastal beauty while retaining its character. It is impressive that the city has been able to preserve its authenticity in today's world.
What's interesting about the city
You need a permit for wearing high heels
While it is easy to brush this aside as a myth, but official sources do validate this interesting fact. There is an approved city law that restricts the size of heels that one can wear. Though the cops do not actively enforce this law, it exists for a reason. It is easy for tourists to trip on the steep slopes and uneven sidewalks. The city introduced this law to avoid court suits for negligence leading to the trippings. The permits are available from the City Hall for free.
The business community is inherently local
If you are an ardent fan of a restaurant chain and cannot live without it, it's time to be prepared for a change. The city does not have any of the restaurants or fast food joints. We recommend hanging out at one of the local family-owned cafes or coffee shops. We tried Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co. which served one of the best coffee we've had. There are also many artistically decorated restaurants for enjoying a good meal.
Houses do not have street numbers
The founders of Carmel by the Sea envisaged the city to be a close-knit community that it is. Thus they conceptualized a central postal office where residents go in to collect their mail rather than door-to-door delivery. This is the reason why no house in the city has street numbers. Some old homes have named their properties for a unique identity. If at all required for reference, the houses are referred to as the number of houses from the nearest intersection.
There is a lot more missing in the town
The city is also special in the sense that it does not have any parking meters or street lights. Apart from the main commercial district, the city does not even have sidewalks in residential areas. All this may make Carmel by the Sea a very interesting place to visit and explore. It is great to understand the culture and design of a city where things we take for granted are simply not there.
Know more about the city on the official page, Visit Carmel by the Sea
How to Get There
Carmel by the Sea is located around the central coast of California by the Pacific Ocean. If you are visiting the beach town, you are in all probability going to use the Cabrillo Highway or Highway 1. Highway 1 is a scenic road that runs along the California coast with a number of beaches and state parks en route.
We were traveling from Sunnyvale so the route broadly included taking the CA-85 to start the journey. We later merged to the California State Route 17 to take the road towards the beach town Santa Cruz. This was the similar route we took last week to Santa Cruz. Just before the town, we moved to the Cabrillo Highway towards Monterey. The approximately 2-hour journey was beautiful and scenic through hills and beaches.
Exploring the Town
You can easily spend from a day to a week in the town. We have tried to put together a list of things you could easily cover over a weekend. To obtain an easy map of the town around the commercial district, visit A Source for Places to Shop, Dine, Stay + Play in Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Surrounding Area
1. Stroll along the Commercial District along the Ocean Avenue
Carmel by the Sea has a small-town feel which is quite refreshing. However, the city still has a flourishing commercial district along Ocean Avenue. A stroll along the sloping sidewalks takes you through a beautiful neighborhood with shops offering all kinds of products and services. There are many restaurants and cafes if you like to stop by for a break.
2. Try some window shopping at the Carmel Plaza
At the other end of the Ocean Avenue, Carmel Plaza stands strong as a center for premium brands. Nicely arranged as a square, there are many high-end product showrooms. While shopping may only be for those with deep pockets, there is no one stopping you from some window shopping. If you have time, go along the forecourts and dream of splurging someday.
3. Relax by the Carmel Beach
We are in a beach city so you would end up spending most of your time on Carmel Beach. The white sand beach is a perfect place to relax on a sunny day. The high waves, the came bay and the greenery around make it an ideal setting for artistic creations. You could notice a number of painters creating beautiful sceneries by the stroke of their brushes. The beach itself is pretty well managed with all the facilities available. There are nets for your beach volley too. You may end up waiting a bit for the parking, which tough free is limited.
4. Admire cottages from fairy-tales
We always love the way countryside houses are designed and put together. Various cottages across the town are creatively designed and are well maintained. Nature is a common theme across most of the houses. we recommend that if you have time, do spend time roaming across the residential areas and appreciate the hard work in designing each of the houses so beautifully.
5. Delve into history at Carmel Mission
The mission, second of 21 California Missions, was originally established in Monterey but was soon shifted to Carmel by the Sea. The centerpiece of the Carmel Mission is the basilica, a National Historic Landmark that has been renovated to approximate the original building. The interiors of the mission are aesthetically decorated including vaulted ceilings and arches. The mission also has several different museums that feature treasured artifacts and present the monument's history.
For other US destinations, visit our articles at US Destinations
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