Where To Stay In Monterey Or Carmel?

Monterey is more of a working town; larger and more spread out. Carmel is more of a village, with lots of tiny shops and restaurants

. It’s not very easy to get an ocean view in Carmel, unless you get out of the village.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea worth visiting?

Finally, while Carmel-by-the-Sea is overflowing with fine wine and dining, luxury hotels and sweeping golf courses, and outdoor activities and naturescapes galore,

it’s also worth visiting for the charming, laid-back village vibes

. The area is nothing if not incredibly Instagrammable, like a storybook come to life.

How close are Carmel and Monterey?

A From Monterey it’s only

4.2 miles

on CA-1N and Pacific Street to beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea. The 11-minute drive along the coast offers breathtaking scenery and views of the Pacific Ocean.

Is Carmel Valley the same as Carmel?

Carmel Valley is not the same place as Carmel-by-the-Sea

. Carmel-by-the-Sea is the foggy little town where Clint Eastwood was once mayor and chain restaurants are banned.

How many days do you need in Monterey?

I would recommend taking a

4-7 day

trip to visit Monterey and the surrounding area. What is this? We spent our first day in Monterey exploring the shore, eating as restaurants, and window shopping.

Is the 17-mile drive worth it?

While there are other free scenic drives along the coast between Monterey and Carmel,

the 17-Mile Drive is a probably a bit better in our opinion

. However, there are also great views if you continue south to Big Sur along Highway 1 that are also free and just as dramatic.

How many days do you need in Carmel?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is the perfect long weekend trip to tack on to a trip to San Francisco or wine country. It’s a charming village on a large scale and can easily fill

3-4 days

, particularly when you factor in trips to the surrounding areas like Big Sur.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea walkable?

By far,

the best way to take in the Carmel experience is to walk its beautifully maintained streets and avenues

. The main artery is Ocean Avenue, the road that stretches from Highway 1 to the pristine sands of Carmel Beach.

What should I wear in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

It’s a good idea to bring

a stylish outerwear layer, such as a denim jacket, button-down to be worn open, light jacket, or light sweater

. Even if you don’t need an extra layer in town, you’re going to want it when you head to Carmel beach as it can be pretty windy!

What is difference between Carmel and Monterey?

Carmel is more quaint village with beach access. Monterey is more family friendly working coastal/pier town

. If it was a relaxing trip, I’d definitely pick Carmel- better food, better browsing, more picturesque.

How far is Monterey from Big Sur?

How long is the drive from Big Sur to Monterey? The direct drive from Big Sur to Monterey is

28.0 mi (45 km)

, and should have a drive time of 45 mins in normal traffic.

Is Pebble Beach in Monterey or Carmel?

Geography. Pebble Beach is in

Monterey County

on the Monterey Peninsula at 36°33′59′′N 121°56′48′′W. It is bordered by Carmel-by-the-Sea to the south, Pacific Grove to the north, the City of Monterey to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

Are high heels illegal in Carmel?

Permit Required to Wear High Heels

Though often mistakenly thought of as an urban myth,

the municipal code of Carmel bans wearing shoes having heels more than 2 inches in height or with a base of less than one square inch unless the wearer has obtained a permit for them

.

Is Carmel considered Northern California?

Northern California has many beautiful beaches.

Some of the most popular beaches are in Carmel, Half Moon Bay, and Monterey.

Why does Carmel-by-the-Sea have no addresses?

No street addresses

The early residents wanted to encourage people to meet their neighbors

, and they figured the best place to do this was at the local post office. So, everyone living here picks up their mail at this central location.

How walkable is Monterey?

Monterey has an

average Walk Score of 53

with 27,810 residents.

How do I spend a day in Monterey?

1. Grab something to eat at Earthbound Farms.
2. Explore nature by taking a mid-morning hike.
3. Relish in Carmel’s art scene.
4. Head to Monterey via the 17-Mile Drive.
5. Take a break for lunch.
6. Visit Monterey Bay Aquarium.
7. Touring Cannery Row.
8. Have dinner at Peter B’s Brewpub.

What is the best time to visit Monterey CA?

The best time to visit Monterey is

between April and May

. Spring offers warmer temperatures, fewer crowds and food festivals dishing out delectable eats, including Pebble Beach Food & Wine and the Artichoke Festival in Castroville.

Is the 17-Mile Drive open Covid?

The 17-Mile Drive gates are open to the public from sunrise to sunset

.

How much does it cost to drive the 17-Mile Drive?

Admission to 17-Mile Drive is

$11.25 per vehicle

. The gate fee is reimbursed with a purchase of $35 or more at all Pebble Beach Resorts restaurants. Admission for tour buses is $5.50 per passenger.

Is Pebble Beach Drive worth it?

The 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach in Monterey County is

one of the most scenic road trips in California

. The drive is known for its spectacular setting by the Pacific Ocean. Connecting the towns of Pacific Grove and Carmel-by-the-Sea, the 17-Mile Drive should be at the top of your list of things to do in Monterey.

How do I spend a weekend in Carmel?

1. BOUTIQUE EUROPEAN STYLE | Hofsas House Hotel.
2. ROMANTIC LUXURY | L’Auberge Carmel.
3. BEACHSIDE CARMEL | La Playa Camel.
4. Take a walk at Carmel River State Beach.
5. Grab a light breakfast and a coffee at Carmel Valley Roasting Company.
6. Search for sea otters at Point Lobos State Reserve.

When should I visit Carmel CA?

The best time to visit Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur

Spring will deliver the best weather with sunny skies, but fall sees the warmer temperatures

. The rain usually comes in late fall and early winter. Summers are cooler and windy, and fog rolls in during the mornings.

How do I spend a weekend in Monterey?

1. Explore the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
2. Visit Cannery Row.
3. Meander through Historic Monterey.
4. Visit Monterey’s Cathedral along the Camino Real.
5. Explore the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
6. Stroll Along Old Fisherman’s Wharf.
7. Go Whale Watching.
8. Kayak on the Monterey Bay.

Why is Carmel-by-the-Sea famous?

Carmel-by-the-Sea (/kɑːrˈmɛl/), often simply called Carmel, is a city in Monterey County, California, United States, founded in 1902 and incorporated on October 31, 1916. Situated on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel is known for

its natural scenery and rich artistic history

.

What time does Carmel Beach close?

This park is open for day use: 8:00 a.m. to

1/2 hour after sunset

.

Is Carmel-by-the-Sea open?

Carmel Beach is open to visitors to enjoy physical activity, recreation and relaxation

. Visit here for more details and beach rules. Outdoor recreation including biking, kayaking, scuba diving, surfing and more are open with social distancing and sanitation procedures in place.