For a Californian, it’s easy to make a quick trip to Carmel for a weekend getaway. Carmel is a coastal gem and if you are visiting California, it’s a must-see. I was craving an ocean retreat and felt Carmel calling to me. It had been years since I had been there and just knew I had to go!
Late spring is a wonderful time to see Carmel; just warm enough for a bathing suit and the flowers are all in bloom. It’s a perfect spot to unwind, recharge and fully absorb the quaint charm of Carmel-by-the-sea.
We were able to arrive in Carmel in just a few hours time for a quick girls getaway. Luckily, we made it just in time for a spectacular sunset at the Hyatt Highlands Inn Lounge, which sits high on a hill providing an incredible panoramic view of the ocean. With a glass of wine, I was ready to unwind and enjoy the picturesque setting. I recommend trying to grab a seat before 6 pm, so you can safely reserve a spot in this first-come-first-serve sunset perch. I even had a few lectin-free appetizers to chose from (the crab cakes were delicious).
Afterward, we took a convenient walk to our hotel room to relax (we also stayed the night at the Hyatt Highlands Inn). Every ocean getaway should have a view and this room certainly did. We were quick to open windows and invite the cool breeze in and marveled at the sound of the ocean. It was easy to relax, with enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.
With a great night’s sleep (this was my vacation, after all!), we headed into downtown Carmel for breakfast the next day. This didn’t stop us from checking out a few stores first. After walking around a bit, priorities called (in other words, our stomachs growled). It was time for breakfast.
I asked a local shopkeeper where she recommended we should eat. Her eyes lit up as she said, “La Bicyclette. It’s so adorable and the food is so good!” Once she told us it was just a block away, we were sold! We could immediately tell it was a local gem. Inside was bustling with customers, the decor adorably French, and a central wood-burning oven all felt warm and beckoned us in. The food just had to be good! I ordered poached eggs with sweet cabbages and a delightful cup of coffee which were all delicious and memorable.
You can spend quite some time strolling along Ocean Avenue in downtown Carmel. Even the side streets are filled with adorable gift shops, art galleries, and restaurants. The architecture of downtown is very charming and inviting. It is nice to see so much pride in this little seaside town, with bright flowers, welcoming faces to greet you and great food around every corner.
Downtown is alluring and each building has its own darling appeal. A few even looked like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs could have lived there. Spend some time walking around and popping in and out of stores. Some of my favorite shops were: Twiggery (gorgeous floral art), Kurtz Culinary (specialty foods and gifts), and Robertson’s Antiques (stunning silverware sets, jewelry, and art).
With shopping under our belt, it was time to hit up Carmel Beach at the foot of Ocean Avenue (how convenient!). My feet were fast to hit that sand! There is something about walking barefoot on powdery-white sand, hearing the waves crash and feeling the cool breeze of spring. I felt so invigorated and refreshed after our beach stroll.
Feeling revitalized, Carmel Mission (San Carlos Borromeo) was next on the agenda and proved a gorgeous site to see. Curated gardens, a peaceful courtyard, and a plethora of religious statues and relics make San Carlos Borromeo one of the prettiest of 21 California missions. It’s quintessentially Californian and ripe with equal parts beauty and history.
A stone’s throw away is Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch (another historic site to see). The grounds boast an inviting hotel dripping with geraniums, an adorable restaurant and bar that overlook sheep-filled pastures with a faint glimpse of the ocean. Next time I go to Carmel, I really want to stay here. I was charmed. A friend recommended I check this place out, in fact, it was a friendly requirement. I’m so glad I took her advice, it really was the highlight of our trip. She recommended we get there around 4 pm, to be able to reserve a spot outside for the view. I thought to myself, “Really? How can this place get that packed, we’re a few miles out of town on an old dairy ranch?!” Well, before you could say, “Go ahead, make my day”, people started lining up out front. We scurried to get in line!
Well, it was well worth the (short) wait and while in line I had two hands clasp over my eyes… who would I know in Carmel?? Well, my friend who told me about it decided to drive down with her mom. What a lovely surprise!
The line started to move and we headed towards the back patio and grabbed a front row seat to the acres upon acres of spring-filled beauty. Spring is such a beautiful time of year, the sun’s rays are just warm enough to enjoy the weather, the flowers are out-and-about, ewes grazing and little lambs making baby “baahhhs”. There was even one black sheep in the bunch! The setting was surreal and the company so enjoyable. When on vacation, it’s always time for another glass of wine and a few appetizers! What a lovely way to take in the season and enjoy the gorgeousness that is Carmel.
It was hard to leave Mission Ranch, but we mustered up the energy to do so and pulled over to enjoy another incredible sunset on the beach.
We had time to kill before our dinner reservation and decided to check out Terry’s Lounge at the Cypress Inn for some live music. This isn’t just any ol’ hotel, it’s an iconic property co-owned by the screen legend, Dorris Day. You know what’s even better? It’s canine-friendly! You heard me right, dogs are allowed into the lounge to listen to music as well. We enjoyed that evening’s jazz singer, Debbie Davis, and sang along to almost every song. It was such a treat!
After some jazzy tunes, we just had to check out the local Greek restaurant. I love Greek food and do not have it nearly as much as I should. Dametra’s hit the spot. The food was delicious and the service excellent. Being a Greek restaurant, I had to try the lamb and absolutely loved it.
I couldn’t have asked for a lovelier weekend and really packed in a bunch of activities and did not feel rushed at all. Everything is so close in proximity and you can easily enjoy a full weekend or spread out your stay to leisurely enjoy all that Carmel has to offer. I can’t wait to go back to this California coastal retreat for further doses of charm and beauty.
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