Top-Rated Girlfriends & Solo Traveler Getaway

Girlfriends or Solo Getaway - Day One

Step outside your cozy hotel or inn and start the morning with a refreshing stroll on Carmel Beach, voted one of the nation's top beaches. The main topic of conversation as the waves roll in may well be the city's High Heel Ordinance. That's right, no heels over two inches are permitted without a license from City Hall. However, no tickets have been issued for heels even though the ban was created as a safety measure due to the town's uneven sidewalks and pathways.

After coffee and a croissant at a local favorite like the Carmel Belle or Carmel Coffee House, the time has arrived for shopping, shopping, and shopping within the one-square mile village. You'll find the finest fashion, jewelry, antiques, and home decor boutiques this side of the Riviera or St. Moritz. Everything trendy or classic is here to explore in the village's secret passageways, hidden courtyards, or curlicue-roofed shops. No neon or chain stores that bind you, just superior quality and service.

The treasures you discovered are worthy of a celebratory lunch at Carmel's popular Little Napoli, La Bicyclette, Dametra Cafe, or one of the dozens of other fine restaurants for an unforgettable, leisurely meal. From sushi to Italian, Carmel's got it. After lunch, stroll to one of Carmel's finest wine tasting rooms such as legendary Silvestri Vineyards, Scheid Vineyards, and Galante Vineyards to taste the region's top-rated wines

Enjoy the afternoon exploring more of this enchanting artist colony until it's time for well-deserved relaxation with late-afternoon tea at the famed Cypress Inn where movie-star owner Doris Day welcomes you to experience old-fashioned elegance that has all but vanished from today's mainstream hotels.

What next? After a change of heels and dropping off the day's shopping treasures at your room, pub hopping is in order after you and your girlfriends manage to squeeze in a gallery opening reception first. And Carmel has no shortage of places to sip your favorite wine, beer, or cocktail. Catch up on the day's shopping adventures at places like Il Fornaio's long bar, Vesuvio's rooftop patio, or Barmel.

Next, with the setting sun striking a silent dinner bell, treat yourselves to one of Carmel's Wine Spectator-awarded restaurants — Anton & Michel, Cantinetta Luca or Grasings.

Lingering with aperitifs by the courtyard firelight, you and your beautiful friends can look back on all the fun you've had today. Thoroughly pampered, everyone is prepared for another extraordinary day of shopping, dining, and recreation. A short walk back to your inn and you're ready for sweet dreams indeed.

Girlfriends or Solo Getaway - Day Two

Start the day with an amazing walk or jog along the breathtaking Scenic Bluff Path. This wide path is typically quiet in the morning, allowing you to leisurely reminisce about the night before with your friends as you weave between Cypress trees and admire the stunning coastal scenery overlooking Carmel Beach.

Stop in for coffee and a baked treat at Carmel Bakery, the oldest retail establishment in Carmel-by-the-Sea and one of the most storied bakeries around. Bakers have been working between these walls since 1899.

Now for some self-care. Stretch, breathe and recharge and  choose from a full listing of yoga and fitness options in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Visitors have the option to connect with yoga specialists at the studio or even set up a private yoga session, which could include stretching and breathing to the rhythm of the waves on Carmel Beach.

For lunch, step into an authentic European dining experience at La Bicyclette or the exquisite Tree House Café on its charming rooftop patio.

Carmel-by-the-Sea was founded as an artist colony and there is no better way to get in touch with the spirit of the village than a comprehensive art tour throughout the village. Pop into studios and galleries and learn about the storied history of great California art masters who have called Carmel-by-the-Sea home.

Now it is time for dinner and a show. And this is a town that knows how to throw a stage party. Nothing quite caps off an evening like catching a theater performance under the stars at the charming  Forest Theater, or watching a live performance at the stunning Sunset Cultural Center. Pack a picnic and some local wine if you end up at the Forest Theater and enjoy the open air, natural setting under the evening sky.

Whether you dine before or after the show, pull out all the stops on your final night in Carmel-by-the-Sea by treating yourself to a meal at one of the Michelin-recognized restaurants in the village. A Michelin Star is the coveted and highly sought after standard of international culinary excellence, and Carmel-by-the-Sea has two Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as other establishments who have received recognition throughout the years.

Chez Noir founded by husband-and-wife team Jonny and Monique Black is a pinnacle experience in Carmel-by-the-Sea dining. This intimate restaurant received a coveted Michelin Star in 2023 for its immaculate use of local ingredients and an attention to detail that blends a deep respect for culinary traditions with a creativity all its own.

Meanwhile Aubergine's eight-course tasting menu hand-crafted by Chef Justin Cogley is legendary for melding delicate ingredients into mind-blowing dishes. The restaurant also has two Michelin Stars.

That final meal is the perfect send-off to a legendary Girls or Solo Getaway in Carmel-by-the-Sea, unless the conversation continues to flow, and you find yourself ducking into one last establishment for one final drink before the trip comes to an end.