This local’s perspective on Carmel comes from Nancy Brown. Nancy, a new contributor to the UpTake blog, enjoyed our “Revealed” series and wanted to ring in on a town she knows and loves. Nancy considers herself a “wannabe local” of Carmel and has indeed spent a lot of time there. She has shared some valuable inside information with us on this beautiful area. I can’t wait to head down and try out the many sensational restaurants mentioned or to just sit and “listen to the lull of the crashing surf”. You can also check out Nancy’s great writing on her blog, What a Trip, or read her contributions to the Contra Costa Times Lamorinda Sun. Enjoy!
1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Carmel and its residents?
Artistic, creative, educated, worldly and wealthy
2. What is your favorite neighborhood/area of Carmel?
Anyone who has visited the charming village of Carmel-by-the-Sea remembers the Hansel and Gretel thatched roof cottages with names such as Sea Change and the lack of street numbers on the houses. I’d like to share another part of Carmel that Uptake readers might not be familiar with. When Carmel beach is socked in with fog as thick as a cotton ball, visitors should take a tip from the locals and drive inland to Carmel Valley. The valley offers nearly year-round sunshine, less traffic and wonderful hiking, biking, dining and wine tasting opportunities.
3. Which cuisine do you think Carmel does best? What is the runner-up?(feel free to share your favorite restaurant)
True foodies have died and gone to heaven when they arrive in Carmel. My mother lives in Carmel, so I visit quite often and we have never run out of excellent restaurants. Here in California and specifically Monterey County its all about local ingredients from Earthbound Farms, to Sea Harvest Fish Market, be it land or sea, it must be fresh. For high-end dining, Marinus at Bernardus Lodge is excellent, while Grasing’s on Mission Street in downtown Carmel offers close by dining. For casual dining with a Hawaiian flair try Billy Quon’s new Volcano in Carmel Valley.
4. What is the best free thing to do?
Point Lobos State Reserve, with its headlands, coves and meadows, offers visitors views of migrating gray whales (from December to May), seals, otters and shorebirds. The $10 per vehicle entrance fee is waived if you walk in.
5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?
If you are looking for action and night life you’ll need to visit nearby Monterey. Carmel restricts amplified outdoor music. My favorite entertainment in Carmel is sitting on the deck with a Carmel Valley glass of wine and listening to the lull of the crashing surf.
6. List the best family friendly activity?
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is excellent for multiple generations. The newly renovated Splash Zone will appeal to the younger set, while the Outer Bay Exhibit offers benches to sit and be entertained as you watch sharks, tuna and turtles swim by. Carmel River State Beach offers a less crowded alternative to the scenic Ocean Avenue beach.
7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?
I’d recommend a day driving to Big Sur, returning in time for sunset cocktails at the Highlands Inn, dinner at Casa Nova or Anton and Michel and an ocean view room at the Tickle Pink Inn.
8. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about? In three sentences or less.
Begin with breakfast at Katy’s Place on Mission, then drive to Julia Pfeiffer State Park and hike in the redwoods. On your way back to Carmel, stop at the Big Sur River Inn to dangle your toes in the water and listen to the band play before you head back to your hotel room overlooking the ocean.
9. Tell us about a place that you love to go whether it is in the guidebooks or not.
The Forge in the Forest is sure to be in every guidebook because it’s been around forever. I’ve been coming here for the salad and quiche since my college days in the 80’s. Carmel is a dog friendly town and the Forge is no exception. The restaurant includes a dog pound patio with outdoor heat lamps and fire pits.
10. What question did we not ask that we should have (and answer it, of course!)?
“What is the best time of year to visit Carmel?”
Like San Francisco, Carmel is often blanketed with a thick layer of fog in the summer time. It always amuses me to see visitors freezing in their shorts and sun dresses wearing their newly purchased “I Heart Carmel” sweatshirts. When you visit Carmel, wear layers of clothing. The best time to visit Carmel is in the spring and fall; preferably during a non-holiday weekend.
Want to be our next “local expert”? Send us an e-mail or comment on this post!
Thanks to Kobuta for the stunning Carmel beach photo.
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17 Responses
I also love Carmel, I have been going there since I was a young child. We used to grab a picnic from the deli on the corner of the main drag and go across the street to the park for lunch. And, we love hanging out in the cypress trees down on the beach – I remember quite a few family portraits in those trees. I also love that you have to wear a sweater in the middle of summer, just the right amount of cold!
Wow, as a local to the bay area, Carmel sounds, from this description, almost heavenly! I’d really like to take a trek up to to Carmel sometime soon!
[...] a host of other things to see and do in Carmel from a local’s perspective over on the UpTake blog. UpTake, a new travel search engine, launched in May is quickly gaining a following. From [...]
I have been to the Carmel/Monterey/Big Sur area ONCE, and I fell in love! I was amazed by the things I saw at Point Lobos and at the aquarium. Gorgeous area, and one I’d love to visit again and again. Great review!
I plan to follow your tips on the perfect day. I have been to Carmel several times and have not done any of those things. Good ideas.
it s looking so impressive always.. thanks Nancy 4 ideas..
Carmel is truely one of the most beautiful places. The sunsets are breathtaking. If you have the cash I would suggest the Highlands Inn or Ticke Pink Lodge both have rooms with incredible views. If you feel like taking a little drive go to Big Sur to Nepenthe for drinks and the worlds best burger..Point lobos for a picnic is great and of course the 17 Mile drive is a wonderful afternoon. Katy’s really does have the best breakfast in town. Hogs Breath has great beers / drinks and for a romantic dinner Pacific Edge at the Highlands inn at sunset is to die for… Happy travels. Best time of year to go is Sept – December as far as the least amount of fog…
Cheers
Cathy
http://www.wheresmydamnanswer.com
I love this part of California. We went on a Monterey/Carmel/Big Sur trip a couple of years ago, and my two daughters always talk about staying in the Big Sur lodge, even though our heater was broken and we ended up eating Cup o Noodle in our room for dinner.
We hope to visit Carmel this summer, as some friends just bought a house in Cambria. I’ll definitely keep your suggestions in mind!
This part of CA is my FAVORITE area in the country, I think. I’ve visited Point Lobos Reserve many times and it’s a really different place at various times of the year. I’ve seen seals birthing with baby pups, walked up to within 30 feet of a black tailed deer, enjoyed barking sea lions, playful otters, and a variety of sea and land birds. The views are just some of the best around. The rocks and their various colors and patterns at Weston Beach (inside Pt. Lobos) are amazing. The tide pools there are awesome to explore. I learned to take a lunch with me there, or leave and come back that same day. A day is hardly enough to see it all.
Highlands Inn has special brunches in the big, lodge room there (the one with all the local, awesome B&W photographs & the ocean views). Hands down the Aquarium in Monterey is the best I’ve ever visited. The jellyfish exhibits alone are worth the price of admission.
Great info. Nancy. Thanks for adding this to the blog, Alison. I hope you interview someone on Big Sur as well. katherine
I love Carmel! My husband and I honeymooned there (stayed at Highlands Inn) and every year we long to back. After reading this I really really really want to go back soon.
Beth Blair
Carmel has its own micro-climate with a Mediterranean flavor. It’s one of the few places in the world where you’ll find men in dress suits and ladies in dresses and heels on the beach catching the sunset. Why not? It’s just steps away from the business district!
[...] for amenities. You come here for unparalleled views of the rugged, windswept coastline, to watch gray whales migrate in winter or to imagine Prohibition-era rum-runners sailing up the coast to the Moss Beach [...]
[...] from when driving Carmel’s coastal highway one. Guests can head south to Big Sur, into Carmel for some shopping and dining or venture to Carmel Valley for wine tasting, hiking and more dining [...]
As a high school kid, we used to call up Los Laureles Lodge in CV in the summer to get the weather report – then all pile into a car to hit the valley for sunshine…good times!
[...] Scenic drive. West coast. Luxury boutique hotel. We’re talking about Santa Barbara or Monterey, California. Right? Wrong. Kapitea Ridge, Hokitika, New Zealand [...]
[...] a host of other things to see and do in Carmel from a local’s perspective over on the UpTake blog. UpTake, a new travel search engine, launched in May is quickly gaining a following. From [...]
I was looking for carmel hotels for my 3 day vacation in carmel with my husband. I found this bed and breakfast and i totally loved it. The room was very comfortable and spacious. The bathroom was nice and clean. We really loved it and we are looking forward to next stay in this motel in Carmel.