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However, it’s also a great place to spot wildlife – both on and offshore. Just three miles south of downtown Carmel on Highway 1, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is naturally popular with photographers, painters, and hikers. It’s even called “the crown jewel of the state park system.”Įxpect azure waters, a white-sugar sand beach, wildflowers, dramatic cliffs, and twisted pines clinging to the bluffs. This place is so beautiful it has a State Natural Reserve designation, which is the state park equivalent of a gold medal.
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Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is one of the best places to visit in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
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With beaches straight out of a postcard, houses straight out of a storybook, and food from out of this world, Carmel has everything you need for a fun weekend seaside trip.īy the end of this guide, you’ll know all the best things to do in Carmel so you can get the most out of your adventure! Many of the hotels and restaurants feature cozy fireplaces, so you can enjoy the fresh ocean air without the chill. Unlike many seaside towns, Carmel is still vibrant and welcoming in the winter. What I love most about Carmel is its all-season appeal. Quirky as the town may seem, Carmel is doing a great job of preserving everything special about this Central California Coast community, balancing its outstanding natural beauty with a vibrant downtown.Ĭarmel-by-the-Sea has the best of both worlds, boasting trendy boutiques, a diverse food scene, and art galleries galore while retaining its rural charm. He ran a mayoral election campaign on an ice cream platform and promptly repealed the law when he won. That was a step too far for famous Carmel resident Clint Eastwood. Until the 1980s, ice cream was outlawed in the city’s downtown because it was too messy. There are no street lights, parking meters, or even addresses for its quaint houses.Ĭarmel’s solution to the problem of cracked pavements causing tripping hazards? They’ve banned high heels. The best things to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea to get the most out of this charming Central Coast town.Ĭarmel-by-the-Sea is an unusual town.
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