Boutique Shopping
Recently, and not surprisingly, Carmel-by-the-Sea was selected among the Top 10 U.S. cities for "Best Destination for Shopaholics," as chosen by readers of USA Today and 10Best.
Editors wrote of No. 3 Carmel, "If shopping by the sea gets any better, those in Carmel don't see how. Here...quaint stores selling local wares are set up in a picturesque village setting that feels more like a step back in time than a stroll down a retail row."
Further, there are no chain stores allowed on Ocean Avenue so many of the affordable, yet trendy, stores are family-owned businesses featuring unique gifts and friendly, personalized service.
Whether strolling Ocean Avenue, the town's side streets, or visiting Carmel Plaza, with its many specialty stores set in an attractive garden patio, there are more than enough options to satisfy any shopper's tastes.