Carmel itinerary scene

Weekend itinerary

Two nights in Carmel: beach, village, and coast

Walk Carmel Beach and Ocean Avenue on Friday, choose Point Lobos or Pebble Beach for Saturday, then finish with breakfast and a village walk on Sunday.

By Cal Mercer ā€” a Second Star Guide itinerary

Carmel Beach, Ocean Avenue, Point Lobos, and Pebble Beach are close on a map but deserve separate blocks of time.

Best length

2 nights

Arrive Friday for Carmel Beach and Forge or Cultura, devote Saturday to Point Lobos or Pebble Beach, and use Sunday for Carmel Belle and the village before checkout.

Stay

Cypress Inn

A Tudor-style inn in the village center known for pet-friendly hospitality, a classic lounge, and a short walkā€¦

Main activity

Point Lobos or Pebble Beach Golf

Point Lobos offers public coastal trails; Pebble Beach offers the golf round. Both pair naturally with a village stay but compete for the same Saturday hours.

Trip shape

Village and coast weekend

Best for travelers who want one full Monterey Peninsula outing plus unhurried time on Carmel Beach and village streets.

Ocean Avenue through Carmel-by-the-Sea
Ocean Avenue links village inns, galleries, courtyards, and the walk down to Carmel Beach.
Rocky cove at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Point Lobos supplies the coves and coastal trails for Saturday; dogs are not allowed in the reserve.
Courtyard restaurant patio in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Courtyard dining and compact village streets keep the evening within walking distance of many inns.

Friday

Walk Ocean Avenue to Carmel Beach before dinner.

Check into a village inn, follow Ocean Avenue downhill to Carmel Beach, then return uphill for dinner at Forge in the Forest or a reserved table at Cultura.

4:00 PM

Saturday

Choose Point Lobos trails or a Pebble Beach round.

For Point Lobos, arrive near the 8 a.m. opening and choose Cypress Grove or Bird Island before returning to Carmel. For Pebble Beach, confirm the tee time, caddie, and resort check-in window before leaving the village.

4:30 PM

Afternoon

Return to the village before dinner.

Return to the village before dinner. Reserve Aubergine for a tasting-menu evening, or use Flying Fish Grill for a smaller seafood dinner near Ocean Avenue.

Sunday

Carmel Belle, Ocean Avenue, and a final beach walk.

Start at Carmel Belle for coffee and breakfast, browse the galleries and courtyards around Ocean Avenue, Dolores, and San Carlos, then choose Carmel Beach or Scenic Road before checkout.

9:00 AM

Sunday morning

Start Sunday with Cultura Comida y Bebida.

Carmel Belle works for coffee and a casual breakfast. From there, walk west through Ocean Avenue's galleries and courtyards, or return to Scenic Road for a final view of Carmel Beach.

After the big outing

Cultura Comida y Bebida

Oaxacan-inspired cooking, mole, tacos, cocktails, and mezcal in a courtyard setting; confirm current patio andā€¦

Open restaurant

Compare

Compare Carmel restaurants

See the full restaurant guide for additional options.