Sustainable Carmel

From its beginnings more than a century ago, visitors have ventured to Carmel-by-the-Sea to take in its breathtaking natural beauty and feeling of timelessness. Early on, the City's founders had the vision to preserve their unspoiled gem by taking specific measures such as banning streetlights, fast food franchises, and street vendors. That tradition continued when Carmel-by-the-Sea later became one of the first cities in California to prohibit Styrofoam. Recently, the City of Carmel, its businesses, and residents have worked together to continue these efforts amid 21st-century concerns--by ensuring that the seaside village remains a top destination for eco-friendly vacationers.

Eating Clean
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is the first on the Monterey Peninsula to ban plastic single-use disposable items such as beverage straws, cup lids, and utensils. All restaurants and food vendors operating in Carmel now utilize only compostable or recyclable options for food packaging. That means even straws and to-go utensils are fully compostable. And, not only does the Village offer a choice of more than 50 delicious dining options all within a walkable square-mile, but so many - from Basil to Carmel Belle and La Balena to Village Corner (to name just a few) - are focused on farm-to-table dining. Menus are based on seasonal products, locally grown produce, organic ingredients, and fresh wild and sustainable seafood.

Silence and a Stroll
Don't expect to be woken up by leaf blowers or weed eaters, gas powered tools have been banned in the City. Instead, bring your reusable coffee tumbler and grab a cup of coffee at one of the many cafés and then get out and walk! Our 1x1 square mile City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is just a small portion of the bigger Carmel area that is walkable. With a stroll along Scenic Road you can almost taste the salt air. Be sure to look at the charming and witty names of the homes along Scenic, our favorite is the often-used idiom "Beside-the-Point," with sweeping views of Point Lobos.

Pedal Power
Bicyclists have been known to tackle the moderately hilly streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea but new electric bikes make it easy and ecofriendly. Biking our neighborhoods allows extensive yet up-close views of the architecture (like the famous Comstock and Frank Lloyd Wright houses) as well as myriad gardens and groves. Bike rentals are available at some of the hotels as well as the newly opened Mad Dogs & Englishmen, which offers premium brand standard and electric bikes available for rent or purchase.

EV Charging Stations
Carmel doesn't just talk the talk, we walk the walk. With three charging stations - one located at the Sunset Center, and two at the Vista Lobos parking lot -- park the car and get some juice!

Clean Beaches
Dog-friendly and accessible by an easy walk down Ocean Ave, Carmel Beach remains a popular spot with locals and visitors. Capped by sweeping views of the Monterey Bay, Point Lobos and Pebble Beach, this white-sand beach remains a top stop for surfing, sunning and sand castles. Carmel River Beach has fewer crowds and lies South on Scenic Avenue. Carmel River State Beach includes the Carmel River Lagoon and Wetlands Natural Reserve, a popular birding area. Carmel Bay is not only a scenic location for a picnic or a stroll, it is also one of the few coastal areas that is designated as an "Area of Special Biological Significance" by the State of California due to its rich underwater ecosystems that support many unique species. While you are on the beach, see if you can spot a sea otter, seal, whale, or dolphin who often frequent our nearshore areas.

Pup Power
Proper disposal of dog waste isn't just about keeping our streets, beaches and parks clean; it's about the environment we all live in. And we take that seriously in Carmel. Our biodegradable and compostable dog waste bags are available at beaches and parks for free and we are thankful for the responsible pet owners that continue to make our city a beautiful place to live, work, and play in.

Lodging Lovingly
Inhabiting this magnificent meeting of land and sea is accompanied by the duty of stewardship regarding its continued health. Such responsibility extends to temporary residents, as well, so lodging properties in Carmel-by-the-Sea do their part to spread the word. Hotels display signage to encourage their guests to "Love Carmel Like a Local" by picking up after pooches and disposing of trash (including cigarette butts) into proper receptacles so that we can keep our beaches and town clean. From the amount of water, to the cleaning products, and even to the materials used in recent renovations, Carmel's hotels are doing what they can to preserve the environment.

What Goes Where?
Wondering if that coffee cup is recyclable? For iOS and Android, the "What Goes Where" app is Monterey County's guide to help you determine how to recycle everyday materials. Plastic containers, pizza boxes, coffee cups, bags, etc. - the app will guide you to what's recyclable and what's trash so you are in the know.