Carmel by the sea, california

Pure Inspiration by the Ocean: Carmel by the Sea

(Images: Ruksana Hussain)

STAY & PLAY

Hofsas House Hotel

The Bavarian inspired property is owned and operated by the Theis family and located within walking distance of everything you will be doing while here – the beach, restaurants, art galleries, shops and tasting rooms. Park here and you will probably not use your car again unless you are planning on taking a short drive over to Monterey, Pebble Beach, Big Sur or Pacific Grove. The rooms have some unique amenities such as fireplaces, private balconies, wet bars, kitchens and patios. The heated swimming pool and decks with views are a great addition. The welcoming mural painted at the entrance by Maxine Albro is one you cannot miss. For an additional charge, you can also arrange to have in your room: wine, champagne, chocolate or cheese pairings, as well as take advantage of special rates at local spas and golf courses through Hofsas House partnerships. Unplug by the sea by disconnecting from everything else. Start the day with a slow walk along Carmel Beach, relax along the scenic Bluff Path, or head for the Mission Trail Nature Preserve. Take a mindful break at centrally located Devendorf Park or Piccadilly Park, discover the hidden deck at First Murphy Park or savor the natural beauty of Lost Hills Park. There is always the Carmel River State Beach to slip away to for some me-time and focus on the inner self.

For an active session, whether run, walk or hike, you can find an option for any degree of fitness among the many trails, paths and loops here. Recommendations include Mission Trail Nature Preserve, Point Lobos State Reserve, and Asilomar State Beach. Within a short drive are a few other attractions: Carmel Mission Basilica, 17-mile Drive at Pebble Beach (a favorite and highly recommended for that magical sighting of bunnies and deer), Carmel Valley and Monterey Bay Aquarium. The 17- mile drive in Pebble Beach is considered one of the most scenic drives in California. You can use the app online for your own guided tour but some highlights include The Inn and Links at Spanish Bay, Seal Rock picnic area and Pescadero Point.

DINE & WINE

The Wine Walk is an ongoing self-paced, self-guided tour to 14 of the local tasting rooms. You can get a passport to use across all the venues and 10 of the 14 provide wine walk flights as a perk. The best part is the passport does not expire so you can use it across months if you like. Consider stopping by Blair Estate Wines or Scheid Vineyards for a sip. Dining options here are plenty but beware no known chain restaurants are in the area so you might have some competition vying for your attention with several local restaurants offering signature preparations. At Village Corner Carmel Bistro, outdoor seating and cozy décor calls for a relaxed dining affair. Mediterranean-inspired fare here features pastas and soups but also meatloaf and lamb chops from the fired grill. For picnic lunches or a little mixed bag of goodies, 5th Avenue Deli and Catering Co is a cute neighborhood spot with an array of ready-to-eat options made in-house as well as packaged gourmet products. A handy basket of sandwiches, fruit and cookies should keep you company on the beach. For a touch of the area’s European influences, head to dinner at Lugano Swiss Bistro where you can enjoy Swiss, German and French delicacies, including fondue, pastetli, schnitzel and more. The décor gives you the rustic mountain café feels, and staff are around to encourage you to try the signature dishes on the menu, some of which cannot be found for miles around. A completely unexpected surprise and somewhat under the radar location is Aabha Indian Cuisine, where the lunch buffet welcomes the weekend masses. The avocado kale chaat and chipotle chicken tikka are perfect fusion dishes as are the walnut chicken korma and mint masala salmon. Elevated dining is what’s promised, and they deliver all the way.

INSIDER INFO History buffs be warned, there is plenty to pique your interest here and this could mean a longer visit. Here’s a sampling: The City Hall was originally a church, the Carmel Bakery and Coffee Company was built in 1899 but has always been a bakery, and the Fire Station originally built in 1937 remains a fire station to this day. You can find an interactive map and complete historic timeline online here if you’d like to plan your stops ahead. There are more than 40 charming courtyards and secret passageways dotting north and south of Ocean Ave that would be any photographer’s dream to discover as you walk around the area. And while at it, take note that none of the streets have addresses. Homes have names instead and it’s considered bad luck to change those. Another claim to fame for the area was that Clint Eastwood was once the mayor here and introduced many ordinances to bring the community together, so they do have that entertainment industry connection of sorts. And if you go to City Hall, ask for the high-heel permit! (Free of cost but wouldn’t that be a fun memory)