The Weekend Adventure - Carmel-By-The-Sea
- Lacey Payne
- Mar 26, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 23, 2020
Top 10 favorite things to do over a weekend getaway in Camel, CA.
Carmel is the nature, shopping, beach and dog petting haven of the California coast. A charming beach town that's popular for honeymooners and retirees. Luckily, a local host showed us how to enjoy a wonderful weekend with the chosen company of a few good friends.
No. 1 Cycle 17 Mile Drive
Life Hack: 17-mile drive is FREE on a bicycle (and you skip the line)! The views are stunning with rolling terrain and a wonderful coastal breeze. There are bike rentals along the way if you didn't bring your own bike. The ride can be done in smaller segments, but whats the fun in that if you have the time?
No. 2 Brunch
I don't think you could convince me there is a better way to enjoy a vacation brunch than with a mimosa or bloody mary. On our last weekend trip we enjoyed a Saturday brunch at a cute little nook of a restaurant in the Barnyard Shopping Center called "From Scratch". It was so yummy and offered indoor and outdoor seating options plus, mimosas and bloodies to accompany our breakfast skillets.
No.3 Walk the Coastal Beach Trail
If you enjoy the beach and architecture this is the place for you! The walk along the coastal beach trail follows a dirt trail across the road from some of the most impressive beach homes you'll ever see. The trail features some beautiful lookouts, houses with unique names rather than number addresses and dispersed benches along the route.
No. 4 Check out the Town
Did I mention Camel loves their dogs! The downtown is so cute, with a plethora of wine tasting, restaurants, art galleries, boutique shopping, coffee shops and you guessed it, dog stores. Walking around in the afternoon is relaxing and fun. Wheather you are a window or serious shopper there are plenty of shops to explore.
No. 5 Lunch
Fresh Fish! Fresh Oysters! The local cuisine consists of some of the freshest seafood around. We chose to have a light lunch and shared some small plates with fancy cocktails at in a swanky modern restaurant called "Seventh and Dolores." The small plates were picture worthy on the plate and pleasing on the palate. They have everything from a simple glass of wine to hand crafted cocktails including a bourbon drink, that is delivered in a smoking glass cage. There was a good Oyster bar with an Irish pub theme for a less formal environment if that's more your speed.
No. 6 Explore & Hike, Point Lobos State Park
Coming from a mountain girl at heart this was more of a scenic trail walk rather than a hike. That said, the views were just as impressive and it was nice to enjoy a relatively flat hike. There is an unexplained joyful feeling when walking along this ocean trail looking out into the waters end.The luscious greenery all around and sound of the waves hitting the shoreline made for a perfect afternoon. The park offers many miles of trails all along the coast with tide pools, lookouts, small beaches and inland greenery to explore. This is, however, a very popular location so an early start is recommended to avoid the long line at the entrance gate.
No. 7 Wine Tasting
Well, I am a proud first time wine club-er, now. The coast has such great weather and cool climate that the pinot noirs out here are ah-mazing. There are some really great tasting rooms including: Hahn, Shale Canyon, The Cheese Shop, and Wrath but that's not even the tip of the iceberg for wine tasting rooms that Carmel has to offer.
No. 8 Cycling in Fort Ord
So it's been a while since I've raced in Fort Ord area and I know it's not technically Carmel, but if you cycle, it's worth your time to check out. There are local races that feature road and cycle cross courses as well as some larger events like the Sea Otter Classic that is held at the nearby race track, Laguna Seca (highly recommend if you are into racing cars). The Fort Ord area is large and in charge with roads to explore, mountain bike trails to send and dirt trails to play on. There is really something for every cycling discipline to enjoy. Trail Map
No. 9 Walk Barefoot on the Beach
Warning, Yogini thing to say: walking barefoot on the beach is something so uniquely special and rooting. With the beaches in pristine condition, it's just worth your time to kick off your shoes, feel the sand between your toes and tap into that grounded, secure feeling that only the earths physical connection can provide.
No. 10 Dinner
"My momma always told me life is like a box of Chocolates"... No, not really she said, "Eat to live don't live to eat." Sorry mom, I live to eat sometimes and one of the places I look forward to visiting in Carmel is an Italian restaurant, Vesuvio. Their pasta and truffle gnocchi is to die for. The round tables remind me of a family style meal I would enjoy at home, while a hip space on the rooftop has outdoor seating to enjoy a drink.
Most of all make sure you enjoy the company you're with!
Comments