Braulio A.: Tucked along California’s rugged coastline, Carmel-by-the-Sea feels like it stepped straight out of a storybook. This charming seaside village is where fairytale cottages meet windswept beaches, and time seems to slow just enough for you to savor every cobblestone and ocean breeze. Art lovers rejoice—Carmel is home to over 100 galleries, making it a creative haven where every corner seems to whisper inspiration. Want to bring your dog? Absolutely—Carmel might just be the most dog-friendly town in America, where pups are pampered guests everywhere from cafes to the beach.
Stroll down Ocean Avenue and you’ll find no street numbers, neon signs, or even mailboxes. It’s quirky, it’s quaint, and it’s perfectly intentional. Need directions? Just ask someone for the name of the house—it probably has one like “Sea Mist” or “Gingerbread House.” Take a sunset walk at Carmel Beach, where the Pacific crashes against soft white sand, and you’ll understand why so many fall in love with this coastal gem.
Whether you’re sipping wine, exploring secret gardens, or daydreaming by the sea, Carmel-by-the-Sea is the kind of place that feels like a pause button on life—in the best way possible.
Robert Chubb: A nice beach to take young children, there is a wading area at the Carmel River. You can join them or easily watch the kids. There is also a walking trail that takes you along the bay and you can see many picturesque beaches.
Gary: Beautiful beach. Clean and clear water. Beach is dog friendly with plenty of room for the kids and dogs to run around. This is now one of my favorite beaches.
Rica Carlos: Quaint small park with lots of benches under a big old oak tree. Cool shaded escape on a hot day. One restroom available and some small retail shops surrounding the park.
Ivetta Abramyan: Beautiful, quiet, serene. We took the bluffs trail and it was a quick and easy hike to view the rugged coastline. Not crowded at all later in the afternoon. Just a few minutes drive south from Point Lobos
Lang Heather: This was a lovely smaller park to visit in the Carmel area. Many different species of plants to admire. FYI- This park has many people bring their dogs and we encountered several dogs off their leash that came up to us. All were friendly and I am not sure if dogs are required to be on a leash here, but if you are afraid of dogs this park may not be for you.
Destine Zepeda: Pre warning when looking for the cottages you are able to get a map at the library that gives you the locations. All the homes are in a residential area with a lot of hills. Walking may be changing for some. We drove and quickly parked to the side before taking photos. Many of the cottages were under construction or you had to look over a gate to see them. The cottages are located around the same area.
