Going to Carmel-by-the-Sea is like going home, even if it’s the first time you’ve been there. Quaint, quiet, full of charm and warmth, you feel immediately welcome. On the water’s edge, Carmel is described as “a village, in a forest, by the sea.”  There’s an impressive collection of independently-owned hotels, restaurants, shops and wine tasting rooms there too. With all of this, Carmel can also boast that it’s the perfect place to unplug – discover mindfulness or commune with nature on hikes, runs and walks. As luck would have it, it’s easy to combine it all in Carmel.

It’s easy to allow yourself to be mindful on this beach at Carmel-by-the-Sea. Photo by Courtney Drake-McDonough.

Mindfulness at Carmel-by-the-Sea 

Mindfulness is about being present in the moment, focusing on what we see, hear, smell, taste and feel. Carmel provides so many and varied ways to do that including:

Restaurants – From cozy coffee houses down a hidden pathway to boisterous pubs to romantic bistros, Carmel nourishes the body along with the soul. A variety of cuisines meet everyone’s needs. Focus on the flavors of your meal which may be American, Italian, or French and will likely include freshly-caught seafood.

Down every street and even some hidden paths, you’ll find shops and cafes in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Photo by Courtney Drake-McDonough.

Wine tasting rooms – You could spend an afternoon getting to know the breadth of California wines while never leaving Carmel. And you can do it all on foot too, since the village is so pedestrian-friendly and manageable in size. Learn from the in-house experts or just get lost in the samplings while relaxing. Make sure to save room in your checked bag to take a bottle or two home, or just have it shipped to take a little bit of Carmel back home with you.

Galleries and Boutiques – Carmel-by-the-Sea has been an artists’ colony for decades so the art you see in the many galleries is likely to be from one of the residents nearby. It’s not uncommon to see an artist set up with their easel overlooking the beach, capturing the beauty. Shopping is fun with the variety of boutiques selling clothes, books, housewares and more.

The beach – An easy stroll along tree-lined sidewalks take you  closer and closer to the shore. Seagull sightings increase and the smells and sounds of the crashing waves alert you that you’re almost there. Then, the scene reveals itself to you. Magnificent! To the right, see the greens of Pebble Beach Gulf Course. To the left, Carmel’s rugged shoreline with a stunning Frank Lloyd Wright house, the Walker Residence, jutting out overlooking the sea. Signage at the beach’s edge tells you which wildlife to watch for, depending on the season. We saw sea lions, dolphins and a whale’s spout or two.

No, this isn’t some touristy creation. This is how many buildings in Carmel-by-the-Sea look – fairy-tale charming with moss growing on the roofs. Photo by Courtney Drake-McDonough.

Scenic Hikes, Walks & Runs at Carmel-by-the-Sea 

The ocean is never far away or out of your consciousness on the “Mission Trails to Scenic Bluff Path Loop.” Taking about an hour to walk, it’s a great way to see many of the cottage-like homes with their varying architecture, views of Point Lobos and Carmel River Beach and the Mission Ranch. Take note of the gorgeous succulents that thrive and dot the landscape along with lush shrubbery and fragrant flowers.

The Carmel Mission Basilica and its beautiful gardens, seen along one of the suggested walking trails in Carmel. Photo by Courtney Drake-McDonough.

A brochure, the “Locals Guide to Scenic Runs Hikes & Walks In & Around Carmel-by-the-Sea,” guides you around other trails in the area including the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail and Garrapata State Park. From undulating to rocky, the trails reveal California’s varied terrain and beauty. Don’t forget to incorporate those mindfulness practices as you walk, run or hike these pathways. It will help you get the most out of it. As a bonus, you’re at sea level, so the breathing is easy!

Walk, run or hike with a view in and around Carmel-by-the-Sea. Photo by Courtney Drake-McDonough.

Where to stay at Carmel-by-the-Sea

Hofsas House Hotel makes a fine and hospitable home base while in Carmel. You can’t miss it, what with its pretty, pink exterior, muralled entry-way and dutch doors (to encourage letting in sea air and neighborly socializing). The place is a charmer. Hofsas house is family-run, has ample parking, one of the only swimming pools around, free breakfast, and ocean views from many rooms. Some rooms even have a fireplace! Learn more about Hofsas House Hotel from co-owner and General Manager, Carrie Theis. She knows a ton about Carmel and tells us some fun facts (like why the homes don’t have street addresses) and more in our podcast interview with her.

You can’t beat a fireplace and an ocean view. Home away from home at Hofsas House Hotel. Photo by Courtney Drake-McDonough.

The charming architecture of Carmel-by-the-Sea is seen in the Hofsas House Hotel. Photo by Courtney Drake-McDonough.

Don’t Miss…

More populated and touristy, Monterey doesn’t leave you with that feeling of “home” as Carmel-by-the-Sea does but it’s still definitely worth the visit. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a primary hook for the place, not only providing entertainment but also lots of learning. Find out about the sealife in the area including those who inhabit the depths. But also learn about sustainable fishing and eating practices so that, by the choices you make at the grocer and in restaurants, you can ultimately help the health of our oceans. Helpful hint: Pre-purchase your tickets online to bypass long lines. Also avoid the 11am-2pm window when crowds are largest. Less populated times offer opportunities to really become immersed and “lost” in the beauty of the creatures. Hey, that’s more mindfulness!

It’s easy to focus on, and be mindful of, the mystical sights of sea creatures like these jelly fish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Photo courtesy Courtney Drake-McDonough.

After visiting the Aquarium, you could check out one of the many restaurants on the wharf but the Beach House Restaurant & Bar at Lovers Point is on the way back to home base in Carmel. With ocean views (including a spacious patio, perfect for watching the sunset), Beach House is right on the romanticly-named Lovers Point. It’s the perfect way to contemplate how your California visit is going over a glass of wine and a steak or some Panko Sand Dabs Almondine. Sand Dabs are a plentiful local fish and definitely quintessential to the area. Nearly every restaurant serves the mild, thin fish in one form or another. Beach House’s is a favorite with a lemon beurre blank, served with a rice pilaf and blue lake green beans.

Sand Dabs, a regional food of the Carmel and Monterey areas, is delicious at the Beach House Restaurant at Lovers Point.

The 17-Mile-Drive winds and meanders through rocky cliffs, sandy beaches, meadow and forested areas, on one of the most famous paths in the area. Allow a few hours so you can follow the map and stop at each suggested point since they all tell a more complete, and visually stunning, story about the area. Speaking of drives, Big Sur isn’t far away. Allow at least a half-day for that. Warn any squimish passengers that there will be “drop dead” views down, down, down the cliffs to the water. You’ve seen this road many times in commercials and movies. The reality of it doesn’t disappoint.

Along the 17-Mile-Drive, one of the stops is Pebble Beach Golf Course where sea kayaks await their occupants. Photo by Courtney Drake-McDonough.

Around every turn of the 17-Mile-Drive, new terrain is revealed including this grassy area atop cliffs. Photo by Courtney Drake-McDonough.

Maybe it’s because so much of the human body is comprised of water. Maybe it’s because the village is just so darned charming and fairy-tale-like and irresistible. There’s really no point in trying to analyze it. Just feel it. Be in the moment, enjoying all that’s around you and all that you feel, within, in Carmel-by-the-Sea. You’re home.