Carmel Neighborhoods

Featured Neighborhoods in Carmel

1 Carmel-By-The-Sea

The quaint and bohemian Carmel Village includes a five-block walkable shopping area on Ocean Ave. that is surrounded by rustic streets filled with vintage cottages and grand beach homes. The main business district is one-mile square packed with local art galleries, design boutiques, fine dining and elegant bed and breakfast inns. Park and walk this unique village to really see the artistic history of each small block of homes and shops, all the way down Ocean Ave to Carmel Main Beach. The village starts as you drive west down from Highway 1 and continues to Scenic Drive, which runs along the south beaches of Carmel-by-the-Sea and continues along the coast to Carmel Lagoon, Carmel Mission, Mission Ranch (Clint Eastwood's hotel and restaurant) and the Coast Highway.

2 Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach has the perfect location, nestled between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pacific Grove overlooking the Monterey Bay. It boasts three world-class resorts, an endless coastline of rugged beaches and wind-swept points overlooking the surrounding golf courses, the Point Pinos Lighthouse and the Monterey Bay National Sanctuary. Pebble Beach has remained a premier golf destination and California luxury getaway for more than 80 years. The Lodge at Pebble Beach continues to earn prestigious accolades for its elegant architecture, thoughtful service and world-class amenities. Home to scenic hiking and equestrian trails, tennis courts, four championship golf courses and spacious guestrooms, the Lodge at Pebble Beach continually tops “Best Of” lists in major golf and resort magazines. With some of the top events hosted at the two properties: the ATT Classic in February, the Pebble Beach Food & Wine in April and Concours d'Elegance in August, this is the place to be and be seen on the Peninsula. The Inn at Spanish Bay is one of the best places to experience Pebble Beach golf and hosts many of the celebrations for our local non-profit organizations and community. Guestrooms are luxuriously appointed and feature private patios or balconies with magnificent ocean, fairway or forest views. The Casa Palmero, another Pebble Beach resort, offers a Mediterranean-style escape from everyday life. Home to just 24 guestrooms and suites, each guest can expect unparalleled luxury and service throughout their stay. Fine dining, spa treatments, horse riding or golf are all part of the experience that visitors can have while staying at the Pebble Beach Resorts. Pebble Beach has a long history of sporting events which are year around and the Equestrian Center offers some of the best of the season's horse shows and competitions in the US. Be sure and look at our calendar of events to access these great experiences happening in Pebble Beach. Pebble Beach is one of Carmel's most popular attractions, home to world-class golfing, dining and lodging. Many of the biggest annual events in Carmel are held here each year, including the AT&T Golf Classic (formerly Bing Crosby’s Clambake), Concours d’Elegance and Pebble Beach Food and Wine. This gated community separates Carmel Village on the south and the Victorian Village of Pacific Grove on the north, and there is a charge for access. Highway 17 is the main road along the center of Pebble Beach. Pebble Beach Company, the Pebble Beach Lodge and three world-class golf courses are the main attraction here. There are also two amazing driving ranges overlooking the ocean, a Golf Academy with fine dining and hotel accommodations throughout the year at The Lodge and Inn at Spanish Bay. [Photo courtesy of Shutterstock / Photogolfer]

3 Carmel Valley

Carmel Valley is home to some of the best wineries in California. It's a beautiful drive east along Carmel Valley Road from Carmel-by-the-Sea, crossing Rio Road and the Coast Highway, before reaching pastures and green hills with sprawling valley ranches and farm-style estates. Quail Lodge Resort, Tehama (Clint Eastwood's Golf Estate), Carmel Valley Ranch and Spa, Bernardus Resort & Winery and a Mid-Valley shopping center are all located here. The Carmel Valley Village offers fine dining, wine tasting among 15-20 great wineries, art galleries and several unique design and decor shops.

4 Big Sur

Just south of Carmel along the Coast Highway, Big Sure is home to some of the most thrilling open road views of beaches, rugged cliffs and sheer, green mountains that drop down to creamy, sandy beaches. The drive runs from winding cliffside turns to long, open roads along green meadows with cows and horses, ending at the heart of the redwoods in Big Sur. It will take just less than an hour on the Coast Highway (24.4 miles) without traffic with only limited access to gas and services.   Big Sur has camping and great hiking, horseback riding and river fun along the main highway with great stopping points for drinks and local cuisine. The Henry Miller Library offers entertainment and a real library of Henry's favorites, along with other great literature visitors can purchase. Pfeiffer State Park in Big Sur sits on the wild Pacific Ocean with rocky outcrops visitors can walk along. Look for signage near Ventana Inn and Post Ranch, both resorts nearby. [Photo courtesy of Shutterstock / elgad]

5 Monterey

Downtown Monterey is a walkable neighborhood of historic adobe buildings, restaurants, shopping and entertainment options.  Parking lots and hotels provide plenty of places to leave the car and walk streets and venture into the nearby Monterey Wharf area. The main Portola Plaza Hotel & Spa backs to the Wharf where the historic Custom House, Monterey Museum and the Adobes of Monterey meet at a central courtyard. The Monterey Conference Center and several large hotels are immediately in the vicinity, as well as the Monterey Institute of International Studies and the City Hall, Main Public Library, MOMA and the historic parks and homes settled in the 1700-1800's era of Monterey.   [Photo courtesy of City of Monterey]

6 Carmel Highlands

Just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea along Highway 1, Carmel Highlands offers majestic views from its ocean cliffs. The Highlands is home to the Highland's Inn, a historic inn that offers a superb views to accompany drinks, dinner or an overnight stay. The area is known as Kim Novak's previous home and Maggie and Clint Eastwood's original domicile during his early years as Mayor of Carmel. The rolling hill estates are hidden from view but can really boast an amazing view of the ocean from their perches in the trees of the Highlands.