Carmel, CA: 17-Mile Drive, Mission Carmel & More

1. Point Lobos State Reserve

Point Lobos State Reserve is probably the most beautiful two miles of seacoast in the world and one of the top Carmel attractions. This magnificent park has captured the hearts of photographers and painters, birders, and hikers with spectacular views of the endless ocean and powerful waves crashing over rugged rocks. The reserve also has narrow trails that meander through the pine forest or a rare Monterey cypress grove, and orcas or gray whales occasionally pass slowly on the horizon.

Animal lovers can spot foxes, raccoons, mountain lions, rabbits, or bobcats and hundreds of kinds of birds. And that is above water. Under water, it is a divers’ paradise with rare and diverse sea life and enormous kelp forests, all protected within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

2. Carmel Beach

Where the Ocean Avenue ends, the world-famous Carmel Beach with soft, white sands and a pleasant secluded cove begins. Carmel Beach attracts sun worshipers, dog walkers, surfers, volleyball players, and makers of sand castles. It is a great place to spend the day with kids, and even the dogs are allowed to run free. Carmel Beach is one of the best things to do in Carmel, California.

It is an excellent swimming beach, but since there are no lifeguards, swimmers should be wary of strong rip tides and rogue waves. With the picturesque background of Point Lobos with its dark green pines and gnarly Monterey cypresses, the beach is also a popular wedding venue.

3. Seventeen Mile Drive

The entire Monterey Peninsula is breathtakingly beautiful, but there are parts that hug the Pacific coastline that are among the most scenic in the world. The stretch of 17 miles of the road through Pebble Beach Resort and Pacific Grove is one of the most visited tourist destinations in California with millions of tourists passing through every year.

There is so much to see during this relatively short route – a 250-year-old Monterey Cypress, Fanshell Overlook with a white sand beach where sea lions come to have babies, the lovely picnic spot in Spanish Bay, and The Lodge built in 1919 with a great golf course, shops, and restaurants.

4. San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission

While San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Mission is historically important and an active church, visitors are quick to notice the breathtaking beauty of the mission. Mission San Carlos Borromeo del río Carmelo, or the Carmel Mission, is a Roman Catholic church in Carmel established in 1770, and it is one of California’s most significant heritage sites; the mission is part of the National Register of Historic Places.

The centerpiece of the mission complex is Basilica Church, which features a magnificent catenary ceiling, five-foot thick walls, and a collection of Colonial Spanish Liturgical Art. In the Basilica’s forecourt is the Harry Downie Museum with artifacts and interpretive displays about the restoration of the mission. In fact, there are several museums in the mission: Munrás Family Heritage Museum, Convento Museum, and the Jo Mora Chapel Gallery.

3080 Rio Rd, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923, 831-624-1271

5. Carmel River State Beach

With rough rogue waves and strong, dangerous rip tides, Carmel River State Beach is not a swimmers’ beach. But, ask any bird watcher, kayaker, or diver about the beach and they will rave about it. It is a mile-long beach located in Carmel Bay just where Carmel River spills in the ocean. As it reaches the ocean, Carmel River forms the lagoon, which is a protected Wetlands Natural Reserve and a fantastic location for a congregation of large numbers of birds.

Just north of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is Monastery Beach, also part of the Carmel River State Beach Park and a very popular diving site. It is also an important historic site significant for the Rumsien Native American tribe.

6. Tor House

High on a windswept promontory sits a whimsical stone cottage crafted with rough granite boulders collected from the Carmel Bay’s rocky shore. It is home of the celebrated American poet Robinson Jeffers, the home he built for his wife and twin boys. He called it Tor House for the craggy knoll it perched on and the view it enjoyed, which provided inspiration for almost all of Jeffers’ work.

The house was completed in 1919 and a year later Jeffers independently added a tower as a retreat for his wife and kids. Tor House hosted many big names of its time such as Sinclair Lewis, Charles Lindbergh, Charlie Chaplin, and George Gershwin. Today, Tor House is open to the public and hosts many literary events.

26304 Ocean View Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, 831-624-1813

7. Scenic Road Walkway

Just above Carmel Beach at the end of Ocean Avenue starts the Scenic Road Walkway, a walking or jogging path with an absolutely spectacular view on both sides. On one side is the endless expanse of the ocean where you can see nature at its most powerful. The other side features fabulous mansions, each different and original, testaments to human ingenuity. The Scenic Road Walkway is one of the best Things to do in Carmel, California.

The walkway is about 1.7 miles of easy jogging but you can spend a day on one of many benches along the path, enjoy the vista, daydream, or having a picnic. If you get hot and decide to cool off in the ocean, you can take one of several stone or wooden stairways to the beach.

8. Sunset Cultural Center

Built in 1926 as a public school, Sunset Cultural Center is today a modern, dynamic center for performing arts. The stunning gothic architecture of the center and its incredible acoustics set the stage for a range of world-class performances that include music shows, comedy, theatre, rock concerts, and dance performances.

The center is home to the Monterey Symphony, Chamber Music Monterey Bay, the renowned Carmel Bach Festival, and the Carmel Music Society. The center also organizes a range of popular annual events such as the Carmel International Film Festival and the Nutcracker performed by the Dance Kids of Monterey County.

San Carlos St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, 831-620-2040, (website link)

9. Mission Ranch Restaurant

Having a meal at the Mission Ranch Restaurant is quite a special experience. The view is spectacular, with the Santa Lucia Mountains in the background and Point Lobos with the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean in front. You can enjoy the view from the elegant but relaxed dining room or from the lovely heated patio. If you are looking for romantic date ideas, this is a great place to try.

The food is classic American with great selections of comfort food and everyone’s favorites such as baby back ribs and filet mignon. Soft, soothing sounds of live piano music add to the enchanting atmosphere. Sunday brunch at the Mission Ranch is a celebrated event, with buffet style food and live jazz.

26270 Dolores Street, Carmel, 831-624-6436

10. Bernardus Lodge & Spa

Bernardus Lodge & Spa delivers old-world sophistication along with modern amenities and new-world style. The property features 73 guest rooms, villas, and suites, complete with European elegance. Each room has a two-person soaking tub, fireplace, dining table, plush bathrobe, and lavish king featherbed featuring Italian linens and goose down comforters. Other in-room amenities include Bluetooth speakers, 42-inch HDTVs, high-speed wireless internet, a complimentary wine bar, gourmet snacks and refreshments, French doors, a private balcony or patio, air conditioning, Nespresso espresso and coffee makers, artisan tea, sitting area featuring full-size sofa, umbrella, and iron. Suites add a separate powder bath, an extra closet, a queen sofa bed, a four-person dining table, an extra fireplace, furniture to the balcony, and a wet bar featuring a mini fridge and sink. The entire resort spans 28 acres with orchards, gardens, and vineyards. The Spa and Salon includes a warming pool, dry sauna, and eucalyptus steam room. The property also has a heated lap-length pool, tennis courts, a bocce court, and a croquet lawn. The food served on site largely features ingredients grown on the property and they produce their own wine and honey. Enjoy a French-inspired meal at Lucia Restaurant & Bar or a specialty craft cocktail at The Bar.

415 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA, Phone: 831-658-3400