Most Awarded Destination

"50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the World"
— Condé Nast Traveler

Dotted with European-style cottages that house art galleries and specialty boutiques, Carmel-by-the-Sea serves as the perfect starting point to explore greater Monterey County. You probably already know about the town's famous California beach and drives on Highway 1, but there's a lot more to Carmel than coastlines—like excellent local cuisine, boutique hotels, and a burgeoning wine scene.

"This Is The Most Beautiful Place To Visit In The US"
— The Travel

Surprisingly, Carmel-by-the-Sea, a charming European-style hamlet and town on the Central Coast, is just one square mile (2.5 km²) in size, yet it is one of the most beautiful places in the U.S. There are more than 60 different culinary alternatives available here, more restaurants per capita than in any other U.S. city.

"#3 Most Romantic City in the World"
— Travel & Leisure

About an hour south of San Jose, voters declared this small California town the best city for romance in the country. Drive through redwood forests or winding vineyards to get to Carmel-by-the-Sea's picturesque cliffs dotted with cottages and isolated beaches. You won't find much in the way of street signs, traffic lights, or billboards here, where quaintness is practically cultivated. Go for a stroll to discover tasty bistros, cool boutiques, and petite wineries in this village-by-the-sea. End the day watching the sun set over the Pacific with your special someone.

"The 10 Best Beach Towns on the West Coast"
— Condé Nast Traveler

Voted one of the best cities in the U.S. by our readers, Carmel-by-the-Sea is the perfect starting point to explore greater Monterey County. The beaches here have major laidback California vibes—think sweeping white sand and very surfable waves—which you can easily soak up via a leisurely drive along Highway 1. Back in town, take a break from the sun and explore the European-style cottages that house art galleries, specialty boutiques, and excellent local cuisine.

"25 Best Beaches in the USA"
— Travel & Leisure

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be one of the most beautiful places in the U.S., apparent in its lapis waters and rocky shoreline. This spectacular white-sand beach, located at the foot of Ocean Avenue, is a popular surfing spot. Visitors can enjoy a dip in the cool, crystal-clear waters with views of Pebble Beach to the north and Point Lobos to the south. Dogs are allowed to roam off-leash with conscientious owners. Pack a picnic and a bottle of local wine (also permitted) and savor a magnificent California sunset in this seaside paradise.

"Skip Europe This Summer: This Town in Northern California Is Just as Charming as the UK's Southern Seaside"
— Only In California

Visiting the beach in the summer is a given for those who can. However, visiting the beach in Europe specifically is a bit more complicated for those who live in the United States. Luckily, a beautiful little town in Northern California has all the charm you'll find in the seaside towns in the southern part of the United Kingdom.

With little winding passageways, cobblestone courtyards, cottage-style homes, and no shortage of gardens and greenery, Carmel-by-the-Sea (also known as Carmel) was built to appear as if it was a small village perched on the edge of a beach.

"7 Best Small Towns on the West Coast for Wine Tasting, Whale Watching, and Beautiful Views"
— Travel & Leisure

It doesn't get more charming than Carmel-by-the-Sea, a seaside town with a rich history and bustling arts scene. Spend the morning walking the Scenic Bluff Path along the coast, before surfing and lounging on the pristine Carmel Beach. On a rainy day, drop by the whaling museum at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve or Carmel Mission, a beautifully restored mission church and historic landmark.

"11 Most Charming Towns In California"
— World Atlas

Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for its scenic outdoor beauty and vibrant arts and culture scene. The small town lives up to its name, one of the most beautiful towns you will see in California, from the picturesque sandy beaches and turquoise waters to European-style cottages. This charming California town opens our list for its stunning nature. Carmel is synonymous with quality food and wine, offering some of the region's best high-quality premium wine packed with tasting rooms—all within walking distance. With a vibrant downtown, Carmel features numerous classic and contemporary art galleries. Some of the most notable destinations for an artistic experience include Jones & Terwilliger Galleries, Nancy Dodds Gallery, and Weston Gallery.

"Top Small Towns" in the U.S.
— Sunset Magazine Travel Awards

The one-square-mile village of Carmel-by-the-Sea also offers a vibrant food and wine scene amid fairytale architecture and stunning ocean views. Boasting the highest number of restaurants per capita than any other small city in the United States, visitors can explore over 60 restaurants (with no chains!) all within walking distance that showcase the region's gastronomic richness. Carmel's restaurants highlight the Central California Coast's finest ingredients, from Big Sur-foraged mushrooms and fresh Monterey seafood to vibrant produce from the Salinas Valley. Additionally, Carmel-by-the-Sea is renowned for its array of locally owned tasting rooms that highlight the best of Monterey County's wines.

"12 walkable cities that need to be on your bucket list"
— house beautiful

#2 Carmel-by-the-Sea in Monterey County, California, defines what a beach town should be. Travelers won't need their vehicle here to walk the main downtown, which is filled with coffee shops, galleries, local vendors, restaurants, and more. It's also one of the most dog-friendly towns in the country. Don't miss walking down to Carmel Beach for one of the most surreal sunsets that you'll ever see.

"8 U.S. Cities That Are Full of European Charm"
— Condé Nast Traveler

Carmel-by-the-Sea, a pint-sized enclave along California's Central Coast, offers the same sort of windswept, beachy magic, with its quaint cottages, tumbling bluffs, and enticing collection of cafes, wineries, and independent boutiques—similar to the famed string of five seaside villages in Cinque Terre, Italy.

"12 Beautiful California Coastal Towns You Must Visit"
— Fodor's Travel

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an idyllic fairy-tale town and European-style village on the Central Coast and, shockingly, is only one square mile in size. Here, visitors will find more than 60 culinary options to choose from, which is more restaurants per capita than any other city in the U.S. The walkable village hosts more than 80 art galleries, boutiques, and studios. Visitors can explore each 41 of the secret passageways, courtyards, and gardens before ending the day watching the sun slip behind the water at the dog-friendly white sands of Carmel Beach. Then, retire to one of the 42 luxurious and cozy boutique inns. A special choice would be the La Playa Carmel. This romantic, sophisticated beach mansion-style retreat property was built back in 1905 by a member of the wealthy Ghirardelli family to give as a gift to his wife and it has endured the test of time ever since.

"#1 Honeymoon Destination in America"
— Best Life

Carmel-by-the-Sea is perfect for honeymooners who want to take it easy and bask in each others' company. "If white sandy beaches, fine dining, wine tasting, cultural experiences, and a laid-back vibe are what you are after, look no further, as this charming European-style seaside town offers it all and a lot more," says Mercedes Zach, travel agent at ASAP Tickets. "In fact, Carmel has more restaurants per capita than any other small city in America, including Michelin-starred Aubergine and more than a dozen wine-tasting rooms serving some of the best wines from Monterey County," she adds.

"10 Design-Oriented American Small Towns" — HGTV

The 1-square-mile village of Carmel-by-the-Sea on California's Central Coast is known for its quaint family-owned boutiques (you won't find an Old Navy here), exquisite art galleries and courtyard coffee shops. You'll even spy several fairytale cottages in this European-style village, all designed by Hugh Comstock, a master builder who fell in love with this artsy town and never left. More than 40 whimsical gardens, secret passages and curious courtyards encourage visitors to stroll this one-time artist colony and home to creatives like Jack London and Ansel Adams. Plan on sunset at Carmel Beach with a bottle of wine from family-run Caraccioli Cellars on Dolores Street.

"9 Fairytale Destinations in the U.S."
— The Discoverer

If your favorite fairytale involves sandy beaches, warm breezes, and a glass of fine wine, Carmel-by-the-Sea is for you. Located along the coast of central California, this seaside village has heaps of Old World charm. In lieu of street addresses, residential homes go by names like "Nutcracker" and "Rosebud Cottage."  The downtown's Tudor-style architecture resembles real-life gingerbread houses, which gives the place a refreshing air of whimsy. Best of all, the residents are welcoming, and the village is pet-friendly. It's the kind of place you may never want to leave.