After coming to Carmel just a few times I could tell why so many people love it so much! Not many places make you feel at home right away, but for me Carmel did!

One of my favorite things to do is just walk up & down Ocean Ave. where there’s a ton of shops, restaurants, art galleries, and inns. It is so charming and super lively with tourists! A must is to stop in Cottage of Sweets to grab a treat or two.

Pebble Beach truly lives up to the hype with its breathtaking coastal views and renown golf course. During our visit, we indulged in an afternoon spritz and snack at The Bench while taking in the view of the 18th hole. A visit to the pro shop added to the experience, where I couldn’t resist picking up some memorable merchandise. I will definitely be returning to Pebble Beach in the future!

A fun perk of my boyfriend’s dad living in Carmel is that he takes us whale watching on his boat! As someone who grew up on boats, I love being on the water! Looking for whales and dolphins is extra fun and we seem to have great luck and spot them every time! While we’re in the Marina we stopped to grab some fresh seafood for dinner.

EATS

My favorite mornings always include walking to grab coffee & pastries and Carmel Bakery offers just that! Almost every morning we walk over and grab their delicious vanilla lattes and a bite!

We had Porta Bella for lunch after our long drive to Carmel, which is a restaurant nestled on the buzzy Ocean Ave. It’s an adorable spot with good food, but even better for people watching everyone going up & down Ocean Ave. I highly recommend having lunch here when walking around and it’s conveniently located next to Cottage of Sweets!

Seventh & Dolores is a steakhouse located just off of Ocean Ave and a bit out of the crowds. I was really excited to try their fresh seafood starters! While it wasn’t above & beyond our expectations, its charming ambience and impressive menu were a fun experience.

Here’s a peak at our homemade seafood which was Thai-inspired & delicious!! There’s something about enjoying meals outside during the summer that is just the best (& fresh, perfectly prepared seafood is a lovely bonus)!

After our whale watching tour, we always go to Paluca Trattoria which is beyond to die for!! Everything here is so fresh and so delicious – I don’t know how they do it. Even if you don’t have a reason to go to the Marina, I would highly recommend going out of your way to dine here!

STAY