Carmel is a special place to me. My parents moved here when I was 10 years old. I went to school in the Del Monte forest and aside from a few years in college and grad school I have lived on the Peninsula pretty much my whole life. During this time I have developed a deep appreciation for the area.
Before coming in to work (I am the marketing manager for Tradewinds Carmel) I often go surfing down at Carmel Beach. There is something about sitting out beyond the breakers and looking back at the town that is truly spiritual. One of the best parts of my job is hearing about the memorable experiences that our guests have during their stay at the hotel. Your favorite restaurants? A secret place you have found? A magical Carmel alleyway that you love or even a special tradition or routine? Please share this with our online community (*see how below)!
To start off, I will tell you about my perfect day in Carmel. I have already told you where I surf but here is the rest….
Breakfast
After surfing, I begin my ideal day at Katy’s Place where they specialize in my favorite breakfast dish, Eggs Benedict. There are 16 different types of Bennys on the menu, everything from crab to spinach and back to the classic, Canadian bacon. But the chef-d’oeuvre, for my money, is the Romanoff – smoked salmon topped with a dash of caviar. Make sure to bring cash, they don’t take cards.
Enjoy the scenery
After a hardy breakfast, it’s time to go out and enjoy the main reason people come to Carmel, the scenery. I have hiked all over the Monterey Peninsula but my perennial favorite is still Soberanes Canyon. Soberanes is about nine miles south of Carmel on Highway One.
I usually need a snack during my hike. Located in the Carmel Plaza, just a few short blocks from Tradewinds, is The Cheese Shop. They have over 300 different types of cheese. The Brie cheeses or perhaps the Gouda cheeses are the best in my opinion, but I am always open to the staff’s suggestions.
You know the enchanted forests depicted in children’s movies? Well, if one actually exists, Soberanes is probably it. From towering redwoods to large cactus patches to tree fairies (maybe) this canyon is truly a magical place. The entire Soberanes loop takes about three hours but it’s perfectly fine to simply hike up the canyon and back down (about an hour round trip).
Wine Tasting by the Sea & Dinner
For my perfect day wine tasting is a must! Believe it or not, Carmel proper (just about one square mile) has 12 tasting rooms. One of my favorites is the tasting room in Nielsen’s market. It’s not fancy but here’s a local tip- ask for Patrick. He’s been at Nielsen’s for ages and is probably one of the most knowledgeable wine experts in town. After Nielsen’s, I might stroll down to Cima Collina. This tasting room is very chic and they have great Carmel Valley wines. Buy a bottle from a local tasting room and many Carmel restaurants will waive the corkage fee.
When it comes to dinner in Carmel, you really can’t go wrong. That being said, one of the most unique, fun, delicious restaurants in Carmel is Mundaka. Mundaka is named after a town in Spain that has one of the most famous surf breaks in all of Europe. They serve Spanish Tapas and have a lively bar scene. What I like about Mundaka is you don’t have to commit to just one dish. Plates are small, so you can order several. But if I had to choose I would go with the Queso to start followed by the Rusa with the Cordero. Check out the menu to see details about what I picked!
After dinner, I would head back to the Tradewinds where I could enjoy the fire pit and the serenity of the garden for a few moments before I relax in my spa jetted tub.
For more Carmel ideas have a look at 71miles.com. It’s a great resource for Northern California explorers!
Thanks for reading.
Will Schaeffler
*Tell us about your perfect day in Carmel by posting a comment below.
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My perfect day in Carmel would start in a feather bed. Actually it would have started there the night before. Really good coffee, still in bed would help me get up.
Something light and delicious – maybe fruit – would follow. Especially since I’d have had an indulgent dinner the night before.
A morning walk along Carmel Beach would provide my doggie fix and make me laugh. Also feed my soul and make me appreciate Nature and how my body feels in sync with it. A long walk on Carmel beach is good for the mind, body and spirit.
The beach would also get me thinking about lunch – either a picnic from one of the great take out places in town or on one of the patio’s with a fire pit.
I might spend the afternoon reading, doing a little shopping or maybe even having a nap or massage.
I’d be so mellow by then I’d not plan the evening and just let it be spontaneous. After all, Carmel is so close that it’s easy to come often. Maybe I’d end up back in that same feather bed!
I’d start the day at one of my two favorite cafes on the Monterey peninsula: either the cafe at Il Fornaio – one of the coolest places to have coffee in the world (and the coffee is really good….), or out Carmel Valley at the Wild Goose Cafe (rustic, fresh french pastries and baguettes, baked there….).
Foggy Day?
I’d probably hit a spa. Maybe Refuge out in Carmel Valley for some nice soaking.
Then I might hit Tommy’s Wok for a Dim Sum lunch.
In the afternoon I’d sit and read back at the Il Fornaio Cafe.
I’d do some window shopping, then grab a snack at the Cheese Shop
For dinner, I might grab a burger at Brophy’s Tevern if I’m feeling casual. If not, I might go to Canineta Luca for some tasty salume and Italian food.
Sunny Day
One of the best kept secrets on the Central Coast is Post Ranch Inn for lunch. It has one of the best lunch locations in the world, on the cliff right above the water. Staying there is extremely expensive, but eating lunch there is very reasonable, and almost never crouded (unlike Napenthe Cafe, also down the coast but usually jam packed on a sunny day). Soup and a BLT would do me just right.
After lunch I’d drive back up to Carmel and take a light hike or walk in the afternoon. Point Lobos can’t be beat (if not too crowded). If I planned ahead and made a reservation I might hike the new Palo Corona park across the highway from Point Lobos. The view from up top is amazing.
If still warm and beautiful, I might grab a crab sandwitch on the patio at the Rocky Point Restaurant just down the coast. A great place to do some whale watching while you eat.
Or, also if still nice and warm, dinner or even just cocktails at the Mission Ranch restaurant. You can’t beat their patio for shear pleasantness on a warm evening.
Foggy or sunny, I’m in!