Carmel by the Sea is a gorgeous town on the Central Coast of California that is the Northern starting point to Big Sur. This makes it the perfect place to call home base for a Central California road trip vacation. We stayed in this storybook city for 3 nights with plans to check out all that Monterey County has to offer. We took this trip during the COVID quarantine, so many of the tips discussed in this post are a result of the changing landscape of travel, dining out, and travel activities.
This guide is a dog friendly guide! We brought our pup, Olli, along for the ride. Luckily Carmel is a very dog friendly city. You’ll see furry friends walking around everywhere, even on the beach.
We are lucky enough to live in Santa Monica so we were able to road trip through Big Sur to get to Carmel. Check out my Road Trip Guide: LA to Big Sur for the best vista points and destinations to check out on your drive up the coast.
Where to Stay | Carmel Mission Inn
During our vacation we stayed at Carmel Mission Inn. It is a boutique hotel just 1.5 miles from all that Carmel by the Sea has to offer. We were able to pay for our hotel stay with Chase Sapphire credit card reward points and so we were able to save $688.90 USD total or $187.96 USD per night. The hotel was very dog friendly and the pet fee was just $55 USD for the whole stay. This hotel was also situated right off of Highway 1 making it easy to get to and from the day trip destinations we wanted to take like Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Capitola. This hotel is also right next to The Barnyard a shopping village with many shops and restaurants as well as The Crossroads Carmel a shopping center filled with restaurants and even wine tasting rooms. So if you’re ever looking for a quick and easy bite, a good place is just steps away from the hotel.
While not in Carmel, I’ve also heard that the glamping experience at Treebones Resort is an unforgettable experience. It is on the south side of Big Sur so this takes you further from North of the Central Coast of California, but if you’re looking to enjoy more nature in Monterey County, this could be a great choice for you.
What to Eat in Carmel by the Sea
Breakfast | From Scratch Restaurant
From Scratch Restaurant is a lovely diner located in The Barnyard so it was just a few steps away from our hotel. This restaurant has been highlighted on TV shows like good ol’ Triple D – Diners, Drive Ins & Dives. We knew we had to try it! They have a large outdoor seating area, making it easier to get a table to sit down at while staying socially distant. Come early though because it does get busy around 9am if you are coming for breakfast.
We ordered the Extreme Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast (the meal featured on Triple D), turkey benedict and a side of blueberry pancakes. I subbed the sausage in the Extreme Biscuits and Gravy breakfast with their vegetarian sausage and I was very happy with that choice!
Breakfast | Lafayette Bakery
For those mornings where you’re looking for a quick bite to go and a good cup of coffee, Lafayette Bakery is the perfect locals choice. Also part of the Barnyard, this bakery was just steps from our hotel. Choose from their many fresh baked savory and sweet pastries – the best of both taste buds.
Lunch | Dametra Cafe
Nothing is better than getting your Mediterranean fix when you’re vacationing by the sea. Dametra Cafe is the perfect spot to grab lunch while you’re in Carmel by the Sea. It has all of your Mediterranean favorites featuring fresh seafood, meats and cheese from local California businesses. Their staff was also a highlight of our meal. They were very attentive and informative which made for a positive experience.
We ordered the chicken shawarma sandwich, fresh mozzarella sandwich and calamari. So fresh and absolutely delicious! Do not miss this spot.
Dinner | La Bicyclette
Our experience with La Bicyclette was such a blessing and I’ll explain why. From what we could tell, this is one of the hottest restaurants in Carmel by the Sea. It is a French-Italian style cozy bistro. With COVID it makes it very tough to sit down and eat here since it is outdoor seating only. We ran into this issue, but as an alternative we ended up ordering their food, beer and wine to go. A plus – we were able to wait for our food while drinking our beer and wine! We got their citrus avocado salad, champignons pizza, and a side of french fries (these are a MUST). All of their food was 5 STARS. Eat here whether it is sit down or to go!
We took our food to Carmel beach and watched the beautiful sunset. It was the highlight of our trip, so beautiful and. peaceful. You can even bring your pup along!
Dinner | Casanova
For my 30th birthday dinner we made last minute reservations at Casanova. Casanova is a French & Italian restaurant with a beautiful indoor/outdoor patio that was once frequented by Van Gogh. This restaurant is nicely decorate and super charming with delicious food to match the vibe. It’s like being transported right into the middle of Tuscany.
This was our “splurge” meal for the trip and we definitely went all out. We ordered the oysters, braised beef cannelloni, seafood fettuccini and their hand crafted cocktails. All of the food was lovely and we even got the lemon tart to end the night.
Dinner | Mission Ranch Carmel
Mission Ranch Carmel is owned by none other than – Clint Eastwood. It is a hotel and restaurant most known for its beautiful view over the ranch AND the ocean. We did not eat here since the wait was almost 2 hours long, but coming here for the view was worth it enough! It is right down the road from the town of Carmel by the Sea and they are also open for breakfast, so sunrise or sunset this place has got you covered.
We also ate at Pâtisserie Boissiere for dinner for some French fare, but would unfortunately not recommend eating at this restaurant. Their adjustments to the COVID safety requirements were not strictly enforced. Perhaps try when social distancing rules are lifted as they do have great Yelp reviews otherwise.
What to Do in Carmel by the Sea
Hike | Carmel Meadows Trailhead
Dog Friendly Hike Alert! This trail is right off of Highway 1 toward the southern end of Carmel. We went at 6am and had the trail to ourselves. It is a beach view hiking trail so there’s not much elevation change making it perfect for an easy morning stroll. Like I mentioned this is a dog friendly trail, but make sure your dog is ON LEASH. This trail connects to many areas to walk down onto the beach so you can soak in the fresh morning ocean air.
Beach | Carmel Beach
Sunny weather was not on our side during our trip, so no beach days for us, but if you are lucky enough, make sure to check out Carmel Beach. Carmel is known for being one of American’s best beaches with its diverse landscape, white sand, and blue waters. The beach is also dog friendly – no pooch left behind!
Explore | Carmel by the Sea
All things fine culture, that’s what you’ll find in the town of Carmel by the Sea! It is filled with tons of art galleries and wine tasting rooms. Make sure to walk around the town and walk down all of the nook and crannies it has to offer, you’ll never know what you’ll find.
Pet Friendly Wine Tasting Rooms to try in Carmel by the Sea – Galante Vinyards, Manzoni Cellars, Dawn’s Dream Winery.
Explore | Monterey
We decided to check out Monterey at sunset one evening. Similar to Carmel by the Sea, this city has a lot to offer from wine tasting rooms, restaurants, seaside views and marine life. Take a stroll along the water and keep an eye out for otters! Check out downtown Monterey, but also Cannery Row, the waterfront street in Monterey that was the home to fish canning factories back in the day.
Do not let the large number of chain restaurants and shops on Cannery Row deter you, walk pass the clutter to find the hidden local gems and head to the beach to soak in the views.
Explore | Earthbound Farm Stand
Just a tad off the beaten path, you’ll find the well known Earthbound Farm. They have a Farm Stand that generally has a fresh organic salad bar available, which made it a great place to stop for lunch in the past, but with COVID they are only serving pre-made food options. Regardless, I found this place is a great place to do some shopping for local artisan goods and fresh organic fruits and veggies. Soak in the sun on their well manicured lawn area while drinking a Kombucha from their cafe.
I ended up purchasing a blanket from Gunn & Swain and a cast iron skillet from Barebones a little birthday gift and to remind me of our time in Carmel.
Carmel by the Sea is a must do trip if you live in California or plan on traveling here. Its landscape is unbeatable and with its dog friendly nature, you know you can have a great time with your dog child as well. Come here anytime of the year for all things nature, beach and culture.
Check out my other Central California Coast travel guides:
While we stayed in Carmel by the Sea we also visited:
-Pebble Beach and the 17 Mile Drive
-Santa Cruz & Capitola by the Sea
Also, don’t miss my Road Trip Guide: LA to Big Sur if you plan on taking a drive up the coast.
[…] out my Guide to Carmel by the Sea & Road Trip Guide: LA to Big Sur, if you plan on traveling the Central California […]