Time to Plan Your Carmel By The Sea Getaway
Time to Plan Your Carmel By The Sea Getaway
It’s time to get back on the road! There’s no time better than now to book your next vacation to Carmel by the Sea! The Village has reopened for outdoor dining, shopping, wine tasting and most importantly…leisure travel! Health and safety protocols continue to be in place and masks are still required but that shouldn’t stop you from reenergizing and enjoying a weekend by the sea.
We have had the opportunity to stay in Carmel over the past several years, so why do we keep going back? There’s something about the quaint town of Carmel by the Sea that resonates with us. Maybe its the way the trees meet the sandy beach or the old familiarity of the building and homes or maybe its the small town feel and hospitality shown by all you come in contact with. I can’t put my finger on one specific thing but when we visit, all feels familiar and comfortable. If you are looking for a place to get away for Spring Break, summer vacation or just because I can’t recommend Carmel enough!
Carmel By The Sea….We visited last November right before the last Stay at Home order came down in December and in spite of the reduced capacities and mask requirements… we had a blast!. Located about 5 hours north of Los Angeles its nestled amongst the trees along the central coast of California. This sea side city is one of the most charming destinations around and even though it’s a mere 1 square mile there is no lack in interesting things to see and do. If you are looking for a relaxing getaway within driving distance, let me share with you some of our favorite things to do in Carmel by the Sea and the immediate area.
Where we stayed: The accommodations are just as unique and charming as you would expect in such a place. Hofsas House Hotel is no exception. This wonderful and cozy boutique hotel is nesselted at the very top of the town making it easy to walk to everything while providing a spectacular view of the ocean (from the upper floors) and the surrounding mountains. They offer 38 rooms, all different in amenities and decor. Carmel By The Sea is known as one of the most dog friendly places in the world so it is only fitting that they offer rooms that accommodate our 4 legged family members as well.
The room we stayed in was one of their suites, room 40 to be exact in case you want this particular one. Perfect for small families or a long weekend stay, it offers a huge master bedroom with it’s own bathroom that is completely private from the main room that has 2 daybeds and its own bath. There’s also a cozy fireplace, dining table, kitchenette with sink, fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Being on the top floor it offers the most amazing views of the ocean as well as the trees giving you the feeling of being in a tree house. Bonus feature of this suite is the private balcony providing you with amazing views of the sunset or a quite place to enjoy your continental breakfast. Don’t be surprised if a Seagull or two join you.
Carmel is famous for being easily explored on foot but if you are looking to cover more ground consider grabbing an e-bike from Mad Dogs & Englishmen. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground, enjoy exploring the 41 secret passageways, gardens and courtyards Carmel is know for. While you are exploring the unique alcoves be sure to partake in wine tasting from one or more of the 17 wine tasting rooms located within the 1 mile village. We have sampled several different wines during our visits and we always find the Zinfandel from Shale Canyon Wines to be our favorite.
We are always up to trying new dining experiences and this trip was no exception. Lugano Swiss Bistro was recommended to us, serving Swiss, German and French cuisine this restaurant offers old world flair and of all things Fondue. We were fortunate enough to be seated at their large table that features a fire pit right in the center which was a nice treat. For starters we had to try the Fondue Sampler, I definitely recommend it as it’s filling, tasty and such a fun flashback. As for our main dish we opted for the Chicken Schnitzel and paired it with a cold tall Weissbier, perfection! The servings are definitely generous, sharable in fact. Lugano Swiss Bistro is located within the Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel.
Another new place we tried was Cafe Carmel in the village. They offer a huge selection of fresh made pastries and cakes that are a must try! We grabbed a nice selection to take back to our hotel for a late night dessert and enjoyed every last crumb. They also offer a wide selection of sandwiches, snacks and breakfast.
Along with the dining, wine walk and beach, Carmel has the most charming architecture. Inside many of these unique fairytale like buildings hold some exquisite art galleries. Exploring the unique shops within the village you just might find a little piece of Carmel to bring home with you.
What You Need to Know Before You Arrive
All visitors and residents are asked to please observe safety protocols including: face coverings while out in public, and especially indoors, are required maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet and employ frequent handwashing and hand sanitizing. Above all stay home if feeling ill.
So is Carmel By The Sea kid friendly? I say yes! The Monterey Bay Aquarium and pier are just a few miles away, Point Lobos State Park has lots of easy hiking trails and some of the most breath taking views of the coastline. The Mission at Carmel is not only educational but very enjoyable to explore. The beach at Carmel has the softest sand to play on, allows fires during the week thru Thursday and you are welcome to take your dogs. There are lots of unique shops, art galleries and for the grown ups there is a wine walk. We basically show up, park our car and walk the town which I love doing since we drive so much here in LA.
We truly love visiting Carmel and recommend it to everyone… singles, couples and families alike.
Here’s more from our previous visit to Carmel and Monterey
