Luxe PLACES
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Carmel offers intimate indulgences on land and by sea
BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
When it comes to Carmel, much like caramel, taking the time to enjoy two – as in two different regions that often share the same name – is better than just one. Located on California’s central coast between Monterey and Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea – often just called Carmel – is the walkable seaside city littered with wine-tasting rooms, restaurants and cozy inns where Clint Eastwood once served as mayor. Carmel Valley is technically a census-designated place that lies inland from Carmel by 13 miles. Warmer and greener, Carmel Valley boasts wide open spaces, dozens of vineyards and sprawling resorts. Both are easily accessible via a two-hour flight from Phoenix, and together they represent the best of the Golden State.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SEEE MONTEREY
Carmel
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So Scottsdale! July ‘21
Measuring 1 square mile, Carmel’s epicenter looks like a scene from a storybook. Many of the buildings resemble a fancier version of the dwarfs’ cottage from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and that is no accident. A quaint yet chic escape for artists, authors and auteurs for more than 100 years, the architecture is a cross between Tudor Revival and Spanish Romantic Revival dotted with nearly two dozen actual fairy-tale-inspired cottages designed by Hugh Comstock in the 1920s. However, don’t let the old-world design fool you as Carmel is among the most luxe of vacation destinations in North America. Named among Travel + Leisure’s Top 15 Cities in the United States in 2020, there are more than 40 charming inns in and around the heart of the city, notably The Hideaway and The Getaway. Located downtown, The Hideaway features just 24 rooms and suites with gas fireplaces and cozy nooks tailor-made for romance as well as daily sunset happy hour gatherings. Just outside of the main downtown and steps from the Pacific Ocean is The Getaway, similarly small with just 34 dog-friendly rooms and suites. The boutique hotel offers ample outdoor space, bikes to explore the area and a host of amenities for guests’ four-legged friends including plush dog beds and specialty treats. Each of the city’s accommodations is smart to offer a direct path by foot to Ocean Avenue. The road is aptly named because, if taken west, it ends on the sandy white Carmel Beach. Popular for surfers, one of the coolest things to do while in town beyond hopping on a board or enjoying a quick dip is to walk, jog or ride a bike along the Scenic Bluff Path, a safe garden-lined trail along the coast that offers views of nearby Pebble Beach and Point Lobos. Ocean Avenue also leads to all of the action in the downtown square including historical and art walking tours; dozens of boutiques, antique stores and galleries along cobblestone paths; and more than 60 coffeehouses, bakeries, pubs, bistros and restaurants. Of particular note are Seventh & Dolores, a buzzy
