Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2026

Carmel-by-the-Sea had been on my California bucket list for literally years, so when we finally planned our California road trip this year, I just knew I had to stop here and spend a couple of nights.

And I’m so glad we did. Carmel reminded me a lot of the little seaside towns I’ve visited in Europe, with its cute cottages, beautiful buildings, great restaurants and, of course, the beach right there.

It has a very different vibe from some of the bigger cities in California, and I really enjoyed spending a few days here.

But is Carmel-by-the-Sea worth visiting? In this guide I’ll share my experience, what I loved about the town, what I didn’t like so much, and whether I think it’s worth adding to your California road trip.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting? My Quick Answer

If you want the quick answer, then yes, Carmel-by-the-Sea is definitely worth visiting. I loved wandering around the little streets, looking at all the cottages, spending time at the beach and, of course, eating some really good food. It’s a beautiful little town, and I had a great time here.

However, I also think a big part of what made Carmel so special for us was everything around it. We spent a full day exploring Carmel Valley and its wineries, went hiking in Big Sur, which is right nearby, and even went whale watching in Monterey.

So while I absolutely loved Carmel itself, I think it was even better as a base for exploring the surrounding area. There’s just so much to do nearby, and having a few nights here gave us plenty of time to enjoy the town without missing out on everything else.

My recommendation would be to stay for a couple of nights if you want to explore the region, but if you’re mainly interested in Carmel itself, one night is probably enough. You could then spend another night somewhere in Big Sur, for example, and get a different experience of this beautiful part of the California coast.

What I Love About Carmel-by-the-Sea

The Beautiful Architecture

I don’t want to be a hater, but a lot of places in the USA just don’t have the same kind of architecture you find in many European towns. And that’s totally fine, obviously, but Carmel-by-the-Sea is genuinely one of the cutest seaside towns I’ve visited in California.

The buildings here are so beautiful, with little cottages, stone walls and these almost medieval-looking houses that reminded me a lot of the UK or northern France.

You Can Actually Walk Everywhere

Another thing I really miss about a lot of American cities is walkability. I’m used to being able to walk pretty much everywhere in Europe, whereas in many parts of the USA, you end up needing a car for almost everything.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a nice exception. The town is small enough that you can easily explore the center on foot, and we spent plenty of time wandering through the little streets, discovering hidden alleyways and courtyards, and eventually making our way down to the beach.

No Big Chain Restaurants

One thing I thought was really cool about Carmel-by-the-Sea is that the town has restrictions on large chain businesses, which means you won’t find the usual Starbucks or big fast-food chains taking over the center.

Even the signs and storefronts fit the town’s old-fashioned look. Instead of bright neon signs and generic chain-store facades, you get these charming little shopfronts with wooden signs and plenty of character.

Great Restaurants and Cafes

I was also pleasantly surprised by the restaurant and cafe scene here. Carmel is a pretty small town, but there are some really cool little places to get coffee, have a cocktail or sit down for a proper meal.

We had some great coffee and matcha at Mad Dogs & Englishmen Coffee Bar, and Bud’s at La Playa was a really cool spot for cocktails with beautiful views over Carmel.

I think the lack of big chain restaurants helps here, too. So many of the places feel individual and have their own style!

An Awesome Base for Exploring the Surrounding Area

We used Carmel-by-the-Sea as a base for exploring the surrounding area, and the location here is a huge part of what made our stay so good.

We spent a full day visiting wineries in Carmel Valley, went hiking in Big Sur, and drove along the 17-Mile Drive toward Monterey. We also spent time in Monterey itself, where we had clam chowder by the pier and went whale watching.

So while I could definitely spend a day or two just exploring Carmel, the surrounding area gave us plenty of reasons to stay longer. I could genuinely see myself spending four or five days here!

What I Didn’t Love About Carmel-by-the-Sea

The Town Is VERY Small

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a really small town, which isn’t necessarily a problem for me. I loved how cute and walkable it was, but just make sure you don’t expect a huge city with endless streets to explore.

Most of the cottages, little courtyards and cute shops are concentrated around the town center. After spending a full day wandering around, shopping, drinking coffee and going out for lunch and dinner, I felt like I’d pretty much seen everything I wanted to see in Carmel itself.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially because there’s so much to do in the surrounding area. Just keep in mind that you probably don’t need more than a day or two to explore Carmel itself.

Carmel-by-the-Sea Can Be Expensive

I wouldn’t necessarily call Carmel-by-the-Sea a budget destination. It’s already a fairly upscale town, and because it’s become so popular over the past few years, prices can get pretty steep.

We visited during the summer, which is peak season, and hotel prices were definitely on the expensive side. The number of hotels within walking distance of the town center is also fairly limited, so if you want to stay somewhere central, you might have to pay a little more than you’d like.

It Gets Busy During the Day

Carmel has become suuuper popular, especially on social media, and you can definitely tell when you visit during the summer.

Lots of people come here for a weekend getaway, while others stop by for just a few hours as part of a California road trip. That means the town center can get pretty busy during the day, particularly around the main streets and the most popular shops and restaurants.

If you can, I’d try to visit on a weekday rather than over the weekend. I imagine the whole town feels a lot more relaxed then!

The Best Things to Do in Carmel-by-the-Sea

1. Explore Ocean Avenue

Of course, the first thing we did when we arrived was explore Ocean Avenue, which is basically the main street running through Carmel-by-the-Sea. This is where you’ll find loads of the cute little shops, cottages, restaurants and cafes, so walking up and down here is pretty much non-negotiable.

What I really liked, though, was wandering off the main street and discovering all the little alleyways and hidden courtyards around town. Some of them are easy to miss if you’re just following Google Maps, so I’d definitely recommend taking your time and exploring a little rather than rushing from one place to the next.

2. Enjoy Carmel Beach

Unfortunately, even though we visited in July, the weather wasn’t exactly ideal for a proper beach day. We had some of the classic June Gloom coastal weather, so we didn’t get the sunny California beach experience I was hoping for.

We still went for a walk along Carmel Beach, though, and it was beautiful even with the cloudy skies. The beach has a really gorgeous stretch of white sand, with the town and its little cottages just behind it.

3. Drive the 17-Mile Drive

One of my favorite things we did around Carmel was driving the 17-Mile Drive, which is a scenic coastal route connecting the Carmel and Monterey areas.

Just a heads-up: it’s a paid drive, but I personally thought it was absolutely worth it. The route takes you along some gorgeous stretches of coastline, with plenty of places to pull over, get out of the car and enjoy the views.

We stopped at several viewpoints, saw loads of sea lions along the way, and even drove past the famous Pebble Beach Golf Links. The whole drive was just so cool and scenic, and I loved how many different landscapes you get to see along the route.

4. Visit Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Unfortunately, I didn’t actually make it to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve during my time in Carmel, which is a shame because it looks absolutely beautiful.

The reserve is just south of Carmel and is known for its coastal scenery, forested trails and wildlife. It’s the kind of place where you can spend a few hours hiking, enjoying the ocean views and keeping your eyes open for sea otters, sea lions and other wildlife.

5. Go Wine Tasting in Carmel Valley

One of the best day trips we did from Carmel-by-the-Sea was heading into Carmel Valley for some wine tasting.

We went to Folktale Winery, which was such a great experience. The setting was beautiful, there was live music, the weather was fantastic, and the food and service were both excellent. And yes, we also had plenty of wine! The staff was really nice and we even got a bottle of orange wine on the house!

I’d definitely recommend visiting if you’re into wine tasting. Just make sure to check availability and book a reservation ahead of time, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend.

FAQs About Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?

What Is There to Do in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

We spent a full day exploring the town center, wandering through the cute little alleyways, checking out cafes and restaurants, and walking down to the beach. But there’s also plenty to do around Carmel. We drove the 17-Mile Drive and went wine tasting at Folktale Winery in Carmel Valley, and you can also head to Big Sur for some hiking or go whale watching in Monterey.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive to Visit?

I’d say yes, at least compared to some of the surrounding towns. Carmel-by-the-Sea felt a little more upscale in general, and both the restaurants and hotels seemed more expensive than in nearby Monterey, for example.

What Is the Best Cafe in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

My favorite was Mad Dogs & Englishmen Coffee Bar. I tried quite a few coffee shops in and around Carmel, but this one had the best cappuccino I had in town. I’ve also heard great things about their matcha, so that’s definitely worth trying if you’re more of a matcha person.

How Many Days Do I Need in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

For exploring Carmel itself, I think one full day is plenty. You can walk around the town center, visit the beach, check out the shops and restaurants, and get a pretty good idea of the place.

However, if you also want to explore Carmel Valley, go hiking in Big Sur or visit Monterey, you could easily spend two to five nights here and use Carmel as your base for the surrounding area.

Final Thoughts on Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?

I really loved Carmel-by-the-Sea. It reminded me so much of the little European coastal towns I’ve visited over the years, and I think that’s what makes it feel so special compared to many other places in California.

At the same time, I don’t think there’s a huge amount to do in the town itself. I was more than happy spending a night or two here for a romantic couples getaway, but I probably wouldn’t plan an entire week around Carmel alone.

What made the trip even better for me was exploring everything around it. I loved visiting the wineries in Carmel Valley, hiking in Big Sur, and going whale watching in Monterey. That’s why I think Carmel works particularly well as a base for exploring this part of the California coast.

I hope this guide on is Carmel-by-the-Sea is worth visiting gave you a better idea of what the town is like and whether it’s a good fit for your next California road trip!

Check Out my Other Carmel-by-the-Sea Guides

Where to Stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea: My Favorite Hotels & Areas

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

How Many Days in Carmel-by-the-Sea Do You Need: My Day Guide

2 Days in Carmel-by-the-Sea: How I Spent 48 Hours Here

Things to Do in Carmel-by-the-Sea: My Favorite Activities in Carmel

Coffee Shops in Carmel-by-the-Sea: My Top Cafes in Carmel