Things To Do

One of our favorite places to grab a pastry and coffee, breakfast burrito, or sandwich. Eat in or take to-go.

A longtime Carmel favorite, Katy's Place is known for its hearty breakfasts, especially the pancakes! Arrive early or be ready to wait—it's popular with both locals and visitors for good reason. CASH ONLY!

We love grabbing brunch or lunch here. It combines a relaxed patio setting with seasonal, slightly upscale food. Great BLTs and lobster rolls.

New in the last 5 years, Chez Noir is definitely a more upscale dinner experience. The food is amazing but our favorite part is sitting in the intimate little cocktail bar where you can enjoy a drink or an entire meal. It feels like you've traveled to Paris for the night!

While we've never done it, you could easily spend an afternoon wandering the charming streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea and visiting its many boutique tasting rooms. There are dozens of local wineries within walking distance.

One of our favorite sunset activities is heading out to the Inn at Spanish Bay for a cocktail at sunset, when a lone bagpiper plays for about 30 minutes. Sitting at an outdoor fire pit, you'll enjoy views of the golf course and ocean, plus some good people-watching too. It's the perfect blend of coastal beauty, Scottish-inspired tradition, and over the top golf and cocktail culture! Bring layers as it gets chilly when the sun goes down and can be foggy and cold. There's a bar menu with apps and burgers or you can head inside to eat at Roy's afterwards. You have to pay $12.50 when you enter the Pebble Beach / 17-mile drive area, but they'll reimburse you when ordering food or drinks.

A cute, family-run restaurant serving up European country cuisine, including great French and Italian dishes. the wood-fired pizza is delicious and the salads are great too. Reservations are recommended, but they save some seats for walk-ins. Also great for breakfast, which is only served on weekends.

Our family has enjoyed this Italian institution for years. We highly recommend sitting at the bar, where friendly bartenders serve generous cocktails. The fried calamari is delicious, as are their pastas and thin crust pizzas.

There are three main reasons to eat at Mission Ranch: First, to hear our friend and esteemed Russian pianist Gennady Loktionov playing at the bar, which he does Monday through Thursday, starting at 5:30pm, and Sundays at brunch. Second, sitting outside at sunset to enjoy Clint Eastwood's beautiful sheep farm. Third, the potato skins.

Head upstairs to one of Carmel's only rooftop bars for craft cocktails, Italian-inspired bites, and views over downtown Carmel. It's a wonderful spot for happy hour or an evening drink.

Our favorite place to walk, Carmel Beach is a 1-mile stretch of coastline known for its powdery soft sand. It spans from Pebble Beach in the north to Carmel Point in the south, with numerous access points along the way. Frequently called "dog beach" due to its popularity with off-leash pups, it is also a great spot for kids to practice boogie boarding, though the water stays cold year-round.

When accessible, this secluded walking path connects the Carmel River State Beach with Monastery Beach to the south. Enjoy beautiful ocean views and keep your eyes peeled for sea otters!

You can rent e-bikes downtown at Mad Dogs & Englishmen. It's our favorite way to get around Carmel or see the iconic 17-Mile Drive (I wouldn't recommend this with kids).

A scenic loop through Pebble Beach, with pull-offs at Spanish Bay, the Lone Cypress, and Bird Rock. If you drive in, you'll pay $12.50 per vehicle (if you're heading to drinks/dinner at one of the restaurants, you can get the fee reimbursed). Biking 17-mile drive is fun, but you're on the same road as cars so you need to be careful and I wouldn't recommend it with kids.

It's always fun to get out onto the water and there's lots to see from kayaks. Monterey Bay Kayaks rents kayaks both in the Monterey Bay (which is open water and best enjoyed with a guide) and Elkhorn Slough (calmer, no guide needed). In both places you'll see harbor seals, sea otters, pelicans, and egrets. It's best to go in the morning as wind and currents can pick up after 1pm. If you would like to explore the lagoon adjacent to Carmel River State Beach, feel free to reach out to Emily's parents. They have a few kayaks and standup paddle boards and would be happy to offer directions or private tours of the river.

Only 10 minutes south of Carmel, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve has beautiful coastal hiking for all ages. Don't be fooled by all the cars parked on the highway, it's better to try to park inside the park. You'll have a better chance of finding parking inside after 3pm.

You could definitely spend most of a day exploring the area south of Carmel to Big Sur. A few highlights include: - The short but beautiful hike to the Garrapata State Park Vista Point - Driving over Bixby Bridge (you know it from the opening credits of Big Little Lies) - Visiting Pfeiffer Beach with its natural Keyhole Rock arch - Nepenthe Restaurant for drinks or lunch high above the Pacific coastline

An awesome aquarium for kids and adults! About 20 minutes north of Carmel in Monterey, on Cannery Row.