Carmel-By-The- Sea - California, USA

Carmel-By-The-Sea.  The serene beauty and quiet charm that inspired artists to flock to this little village
in the early 1900s still draw visitors today.  Populated by residents committed  to preserving these attributes. Carmel-By-The-Sea is likely to be a beloved destination for visitors for years to come.

Located on the coast, south of Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea resembles a European village.  Winding
tree-lined streets, flower boxes hanging from windowsills, outdoor cafes and intimate restaurants, shops and boutiques housed in lovely cottages and bungalows, hidden courtyards - all combine to give the town its unique charm.

Carmel-By-The-Sea still boasts evidence of the artists who helped put the town on the map.  Art galleries abound in this village, which is also home to Forest Theatre, California's first outdoor community amphitheatre.

Perhaps one of Carmel's greatest artistic treasures is the former home of Robinson Jeffers, a poet who was greatly inspired by the natural beauty of the area, particularly rugged Big Sur, south of Carmel Jeffers built his unique home in 1919.  After completing the stone farmhouse where he and his family lived. he began work on Hawk Tower, a granite retreat for his wife and sons.   Tours are offered by
reservation  Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm

Long before artists discovered Carmel, it was home to the second of the California missions.   The mission was actually built in 1770 at the Presidio in Monterey and moved a year later to its present  site at Rio Road off of Highway One.

Today, the mission is known as Basilica of Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmel - one of two basilicas on the West Coast.  Its lovely gardens and museum are open 9.30 am to 4.30pm Monday through Saturday and 10.30 am to 4.30 pm  on Sunday.

At the end of Ocean Avenue, Carmel's main thoroughfare is Carmel Beach, known for its beautiful, finely textured white sand.   To the South is Carmel River State Beach, a mile-long beach featuring a lagoon and bird sanctuary.

Twelve miles east of Carmel is Carmel Valley the "sun belt" of the Monterey Peninsula averaging 283  sunny days a year. Situated in a pastoral setting of rolling ranch land.  Carmel Valley offers a small downtown area with restaurants and shops, as well as excellent hiking and picnicking spots in the surrounding area.

The 3,600 acres of Garland Ranch Regional Park are located along the Carmel River, extending into the Santa Lucia mountain range.  The park offers extensive trails through oak-covered hills, grassy mesas and small canyons and is a favourite spot with hikers, picnickers and equestrians. A Visitors Center is located near the park entrance on Carmel Valley Road, west of Laureles Grade.

For further information about a visit to Carmel-By-The-Sea, contact the Carmel Business Association at

(408) 624 2522