Three-Day Carmel Travel Itinerary: Art, Wine, and Beaches
Carmel-by-the-Sea has one of the state’s best beaches along with a downtown full of art galleries and tasting rooms. Carmel Valley is home to an up-and-coming wine industry. Take a long weekend to explore a little of everything.
Day 1
Start your time in Carmel with an open-faced breakfast sandwich made with organic ingredients at Carmel Belle. Then stroll along Ocean Avenue, taking time to peer into the art galleries and upscale boutiques. Make your way west as the road starts its descent to Carmel Beach, one of the finest beaches in the entire state. Once on the sugar-white sands, take off your shoes and let your dog run on the beach. Save some energy for the walk back up Ocean Avenue.
Having returned to your vehicle, head three miles south on CA-1 to reach Point Lobos State Reserve, which is rumored to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. There, the Cypress Grove Trail boasts twisted Monterey cypress trees and stunning coastline views.
Return to Carmel-by-the-Sea for a drink and snack on the rooftop bar at Vesuvio, or go to Mundaka for tapas and wine. Save some room for fine French dining at Casanova or a lively Mediterranean meal at Yafa, where your server may break out in song.
Spend the night with the sounds of the nearby sea at La Playa Carmel or stay in the Far East-inspired Tradewinds Carmel. Traveling with a furry friend? Consider the pro-pup Cypress Inn, co-owned by actress and animal-rights activist Doris Day.
Day 2
Get a hearty breakfast at the Little Swiss Café or drive to the Lafayette Bakery in the Barnyard Shopping Center for some wonderful pastries. Then take in the grounds of the San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission, better known as the Carmel Mission.
Following a self-guided walk around the mission, take a tour of the nearby Tor House, a fascinating castle-like structure on Carmel Point constructed by nature poet Robinson Jeffers. Tours are only offered on Fridays and Saturdays.
It’s late afternoon, and you deserve some wine. Carmel-by-the-Sea has a handful of tasting rooms downtown, including the popular Scheid Vineyards Tasting Room.
For dinner, enjoy the hip atmosphere at the New American restaurant Affina or get some of the freshest sushi around at the hole-in-the-wall Akaoni.
Day 3
For your third day in this area, head inland to Carmel Valley. Save your appetite for a hearty down-home breakfast at the Wagon Wheel or a more creative egg dish at Jeffrey’s Grill & Catering.
Work off those calories with a hike at Garland Ranch Regional Park, an expansive parcel of land with steep hikes, ridges, and fine views of the valley. One option is the Mesa Trail.
Carmel Valley is a burgeoning but unassuming wine region, so be sure to head to the Carmel Valley Village for some wine tasting. Seven tasting rooms are located in a small strip mall and several more are a short walk away. Had your fill of reds and whites? Head to Baja Cantina for a cold margarita on its sunny deck instead.
Enjoy dinner at Will’s Fargo, a classic Old West steakhouse helmed by a classically trained French chef.
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