I went to this place not reading anything about it and I was very impressed by its natural beauty. We went on a Saturday and it was unsurprisingly busy. The hiking was great. Lots of good views of this jagged part of the coastline. Not a shortage of Instagrammable shots. The cypress trees among rocky cliffs and bluffs were a unique sight for me in California. Only wished that there were more picnic tables and picnic tables built on shaded/covered areas. Also, parking can be quite difficult if it's a busy day in the reserve and the amount of street parking available (along the main highway) can make you park wayyy far from the reserve's entrance (they close it if the lot is full). Alot at least 3 hours for this state reserve if you plan on taking a break for a picnic/snack. I liked that there were park rangers at the entrance and information areas, ready to help you with questions. Lastly, take care on the trails - there are lots of poison oak. Just make sure not to touch them! The guides can help you identify what they look like.

Thoroughly enjoyed my hike at Point Lobos. I was pleasantly surprised that such stunning views didn’t have a strenuous hike attached to it. Most hiking trails are easy to moderate for the average person. And some are super short with great views (good for those just wanting to get in and out). I can in mid-October on a weekday. Arrived one hour after opening and there was still ample parking. I left close to lunch time and there were still parking spots available. I’d say come early if you are coming during peak season (summer), holidays, or a weekend.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is an absolute treasure! The park’s breathtaking beauty—from dramatic coastal cliffs to crystal-clear waters and abundant wildlife—never ceases to amaze. The staff and docents are exceptionally knowledgeable, friendly, and always ready to share fascinating information, making each visit both enjoyable and educational. I’ve visited multiple times, and it’s no wonder this park has become so popular. Weekends can get busy, so arriving early for parking is highly recommended. Whether you’re seeking stunning scenery, peaceful hikes, or a chance to connect with nature, Point Lobos is simply unforgettable!

Point Lobos was easy to find and entrance/parking had clear signage. We parked outside of the park as their lot was full. Free to park outside, just as long as you pay attention to the posted signs otherwise, expect a ticket. We appreciated the park rangers and volunteers sprinkled throughout the reserve offering information and direction. Easy to spend hours at the reserve as everything, whether it’s closer to the ocean or within the greenery, was absolutely stunning; beautiful and peaceful. Plenty of wildlife to observe as well. We will definitely come back. We spent only $5 for an area map.

This an amazing jewel of the State Park system. You can't take a bad picture as you walk along the coastal trails. This place has something for all levels of physical fitness. No one needs to miss it. Well maintained trails and quite a few docents to answer your questions. A few small parking lots for those that want a shorter hike.

Great State Park. Hiking is awesome with trails for all ability. Please note that parking is scarce. Get in early to grab a space in the park, otherwise plan on parking on the highway. Alternatively, wait till after 2pm and you should be able to enter and find a spot. $12 per car, $9 for seniors. Worth it! Recommended!

Beautiful park with stunning scenery. Very exposed on the cliffs so you get great views but I wouldn’t want to be there in a storm! We saw sea lions, otters, and pelicans! Worth a visit and don’t forget your binoculars!

White Sand Crescent Beach With Soft Lapping Waves & A Gentle Sea Breeze made for an Exhilarating Romantic Experience on a Late Summer Day.

I arrived shortly before sunset. There were maybe 5 other people there. The view was phenomenal, the waves loud, and the sand warm. Security is real serious about leaving at the posted time. Kind but Serious.

As an East coast dweller, I found the Carmel River State Beach to be extraordinary. Make this a bucket list location a priority.

Beautiful and peaceful location. Perfect for picnic, bird watching, reading a book or taking a walk. Parking and restroom easily accessible.

As a photographer I love this beach! Usually not busy and very close parking. Nice big beach. Good amount of sand that’s farther from the water, which is nice for families with little ones that are a bit too curious.

This place is a secret gem. You have to arrive early and plan your day trip accordingly so that you do not have to leave your parking space.

Absolutely breathtaking. Perfect spot for a visiting family to spend a day at the beach. Not many shells, but tons of cool rocks for kids to "discover". Wildlife is plentiful, large rocks to climb, and perfect weather make it a great spot!!

We visited this Mission while staying in Monterey. What was most interesting to me was learning about the history of the area, and the early settlers journey. An easy one hour+ visit with lots to learn.

What an absolutely gorgeous mass and historical place. There is an 11am Sunday mass followed by coffee and donuts. There, they also have a bookshelf with free Catholic books you can take home! The museum is free and has a small store where you can buy Catholic souvenirs, such as scapulars, rosaries, crosses, and more! It is located in a nice downtown with cute shops and restaurants.

A beautiful and serene place, staff were very helpful and knowledgeable. An excellent source of regional historical information. Well maintained gardens and faculties.

We stopped to visit The Carmel Mission Basilica while visiting Carmel. I learned so much history here. The ancient graves there are very interesting. A must see. Self guided.

My wife and I spent an hour or walking the entire area. We both thought it was well worth the admission. Strongly recommend a visit if you have time to consider its beauty history and its place in the kingdom spiritually

Beautiful church and interesting cemetery. The museum and store has a lot on unique things to view and there are historical markers to read about. The staff was helpful and friendly.

We went on a weekend, so the bascillica was closed for tours until the last wedding was over. Highly recommend checking if the bascillica is occupied prior to your scheduled date/time to attend. The bascillica is only open "for free" during mass, so if you want to see it otherwise, you have to pay for the tour tickets. Tours are mostly self-guided. Very beautiful grounds, plenty of free parking, easy to find in Carmel. Multiple restrooms on-site for those taking the tour. Museum store was very nice, too.

We visited this Mission while staying in Monterey. What was most interesting to me was learning about the history of the area, and the early settlers journey. An easy one hour+ visit with lots to learn.

What an absolutely gorgeous mass and historical place. There is an 11am Sunday mass followed by coffee and donuts. There, they also have a bookshelf with free Catholic books you can take home! The museum is free and has a small store where you can buy Catholic souvenirs, such as scapulars, rosaries, crosses, and more! It is located in a nice downtown with cute shops and restaurants.

A beautiful and serene place, staff were very helpful and knowledgeable. An excellent source of regional historical information. Well maintained gardens and faculties.

We stopped to visit The Carmel Mission Basilica while visiting Carmel. I learned so much history here. The ancient graves there are very interesting. A must see. Self guided.

My wife and I spent an hour or walking the entire area. We both thought it was well worth the admission. Strongly recommend a visit if you have time to consider its beauty history and its place in the kingdom spiritually

Beautiful church and interesting cemetery. The museum and store has a lot on unique things to view and there are historical markers to read about. The staff was helpful and friendly.

We went on a weekend, so the bascillica was closed for tours until the last wedding was over. Highly recommend checking if the bascillica is occupied prior to your scheduled date/time to attend. The bascillica is only open "for free" during mass, so if you want to see it otherwise, you have to pay for the tour tickets. Tours are mostly self-guided. Very beautiful grounds, plenty of free parking, easy to find in Carmel. Multiple restrooms on-site for those taking the tour. Museum store was very nice, too.

One of the most incredible places I've ever been. Unbelievable ocean views, easy-to-walk trails, no entry fee, lots of different places to park, not overly crowded. Everyone said to go to Big Sur or Andrew Molera, but this one blew them both out of the water.

With many gates to choose from, trail options span the easy quick to the beach or more expansive to the bluffs and scrambles to the tide pools. Parking can be a challenge so try to go early. Morning are foggy and get clearer in the afternoon. Many trails go thru fields of native flowers

The views at this park were outstanding. It’s a cool stop take pictures and see beautiful sites.

Beautiful, quiet, serene. We took the bluffs trail and it was a quick and easy hike to view the rugged coastline. Not crowded at all later in the afternoon. Just a few minutes drive south from Point Lobos

The pacific ocean, and everywhere it is encountered is truly magical. Here was a perfect place for the pup to play in the sand! We even saw a sea lion swimming!

It’s amazing place! Garrapata State Park is an absolutely stunning place! The breathtaking views of the ocean, dramatic cliffs, and lush greenery make it a perfect spot for nature lovers. The hiking trails are well-maintained, offering a variety of difficulty levels for everyone. If you enjoy photography, this place is a dream with its incredible scenery and opportunities to spot wildlife. The park is peaceful and not overly crowded, which makes it even more enjoyable. Highly recommend visiting if you’re in the area!

Really beautiful views and hiking trails. If you're up for a bit of a challenge, we can highly recommend the Rocky Ridge Trail.

Carmel Plaza is a unique outdoor shopping center. They have a couple of levels with gourmet shops, wine tasting, restaurants, various types of stores including Links Club sports bar & entertainment center where you can play simulator golf or practice golf.

Such a charming plaza in Carmel! We enjoyed strolling around, exploring the unique shops, and admiring the cute village vibes. I’ll definitely be coming back!

This is a very pretty plaza with nice sitting areas in the atrium. We were able to park on the bottom floor garage and it has a bathroom on the top floor. The shops are very high-end.

I love visiting the Carmel Plaza. Location is perfect which is right in the middle of Downtown Carmel. It has a lot of seats which is very convenient and comfortable while feasting on our drinks as we rested from shopping. The lovely plaza on the ground floor is definitely instagrammable.

I love visiting Carmel and I think it’s an experience each and everyone needs to experience for one’s own self. The plaza and all are just great. It’s a bit on the high-end as well, so I recommend you go prepared

Great place for dogs to come here and very friendly for pets. If you have pets come here and enjoy your time here, especially the maddog bike shop you can rent one and take your furry friend on a ride to the beach or around the boardwalk. I wouldn't mind coming here again with our furry friend

Bucket list trip booked 17 months ago for golf at Pebble and Spyglass and 3 nights stay at the Lodge. Saved up and it was well worth it - service like we've never experienced - exceptional.

I’m still reflecting on the hospitality I was shown during my visit. I became a fan of Jeffers in college and had always wanted to visit his home at Carmel-by-the-Sea. While the tower still stands magnificently over the beach, it’s now surrounded by a neighborhood with crowded, expensive homes. It takes some imagination to picture the life of Jeffers in relative isolation, but the docent tour makes this easy. The tour is so much more you’d expect—more a biographical journey with eccentric plot points and surprising celebrity cameos. The docent was enthusiastic about answering questions, sharing lines from Jeffers’s poems, and considering how we can find inspiration from one of our country’s most compelling literary icons. The unique story of this great American character is fascinating and done justice by everyone involved—resulting in the most authentically engaging historical home tour. The Tor House volunteers were all incredibly warm. It is a shame that so few seem to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea as fans of Robinson Jeffers compared to those who visit the Tor House as something they hear about as something to do while touring the area. I trust that so many of those others come away with as outstanding an experience as I had and that the volunteers at the Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation continue to take great pride in preserving Jeffers’s legacy despite the changes surrounding his home and memory. Thanks again for the free books :)

If you love a good local story, history, architecture, and poetry, I highly recommend the Tor House tour. There is so much to see and do in Carmel, but this is a beautiful and memorable place. We have toured it several times over the years, and we still learn more about Robinson Jeffers, his poetry, family, determination, and lasting legacy. This particular tour, we had Doug as our docent. While they are all excellent, if you're lucky enough to get Doug, you're in for a treat.

Second time we have visited the Tor House and again it did not disappoint! What an amazing hidden gem and must see when you visit Carmel.

A wonderful tour which gives a intersting glimpse into Carmel life in the early 20th century. Robinson Jeffers was an interesting character and his house reflects this. It was a worthwhile tour.

What a fascinating place. I had only heard about it recently. The docent who gave the tour was extremely knowledgeable. Definitely worth a visit. Best to make reservations ahead of time online.

Dan is the man he rocked our tour today it was amazing! Time literally flew by .... every question led us through a window into Jeffers world. The tour was spontaneous, insightful and inspiring....great work Dan, we'll be back!

Great experience! A must-see for tourists wanting a feel for the history of Big Sir through the intimacy of a local poets' life, house, and philosophy. You need to book tour, only available Fri and Sat.

Monastery Beach is an absolutely stunning spot along the California coast! The golden sand, dramatic waves, and breathtaking ocean views make it a perfect place to relax and take in the beauty of nature. The surrounding cypress trees and rugged coastline add to the serene and picturesque atmosphere. While the beach is beautiful for walking, photography, and picnicking, it's important to note that the waters here are extremely dangerous for swimming due to strong currents. But if you're looking for a peaceful seaside escape with incredible scenery, Monastery Beach is a must-visit. Highly recommend for anyone exploring the Big Sur coastline!

A very beautiful beach if you’re looking for 1 for the scenery and just to sit and read a book or just relax and take a mental health break. It’s definitely not for swimming and there’s a sign that specifies that. Parking is limited and you have to park on the street, so be careful.

🌊✨ Monastery Beach: A Wild Beauty Worth Respecting ✨🌊 Nestled along the rugged coastline of Carmel, Monastery Beach is a visual masterpiece 🎨where sapphire waves crash against golden sands and the breeze carries whispers from the sea 🌬️🌴. It’s the kind of place that makes you pause, breathe deep, and feel small in the best way possible 🌍💙. 🧘‍♂️ Peaceful? Absolutely. 📸 Photogenic? Like a supermodel at golden hour. 🐾 Dog-friendly? Yep just keep that leash handy! 🚫 Swimming? Not unless you’ve got a death wish 😬💀. The currents here are no joke locals call it “Mortuary Beach” for a reason. So admire the surf from a safe distance and let the pros handle the diving gear 🤿. What makes it special: - 🏞️ Views that stretch from Point Lobos to the horizon - 🚶‍♂️ Trails nearby for a scenic stroll or reflective moment - 📷 Perfect for moody landscape shots or dramatic selfies - 🧺 Great spot for a quiet picnic with waves as your soundtrack 🎶 ⚠️ Pro tip: Don’t let the calm surface fool you. This beach demands respect. No lifeguards, no second chances. Just beauty and danger in perfect balance ⚖️🌪️. Final vibe? Monastery Beach is like nature’s cathedral solemn, stunning, and sacred. 🙏🌅 Come for the serenity, stay for the soul-stirring views… but leave the swimming to the seals 🦭.

This is a nice beach that's right off of highway 1. However, beware of extreme rip currents. The beach has a pretty steep drop off. And locals often refer to this as mortuary beach because of the drownings that happen here.

One of the most beautiful beaches in Monterey. This beach is full of small colorful stone instead of sand.

This small beach is a gem. The rocky beach boasts amazing view of the massive hills just across the street. The pebbles in the beach makes it really unique. There are private properties right next to the beach, so NO trespassing sign is everywhere. I went there on a Thursday, so not much people. Enough parking. But on a weekend, im pretty sure the parking will be challenging.

Driving south one the 1 and saw this out the corner of my eye and had to stop! Definitely a great spot to watch the sunset!!! The water is so clear here!!! This is made of pebbles!!!

China Cove on Bird Trail is stunning as well as the whole trail. I love this preserve so much 🤍🍀🌊

My favorite trail in Point Lobos. Go on a clear day so you can see the turquoise hues! Stunning place!

China Cove is absolutely beautiful! The cove is stunning, with turquoise water and breathtaking natural surroundings. You can take a peaceful walk along the cliffs and enjoy the spectacular views. A true hidden gem for nature lovers!

Glad we made time for it. You get the view all the way down the coast and the water looks incredibly clear and undisturbed.

outstanding view, you can walk through to see the seals or drive partially and walk the rest. even on a cloudy day it was beautiful.

Beautiful place to hike. Very comfortable and easy walk to witness the beautiful emerald green waters converging into the white sandy beach. What a sight !! Good that there is no access to the small beach, because the best views are from above. You have to park at the Bird Island parking spot and on the way to the Island viewing spot is this cove. We noticed a huge seal on a rock with its baby swimming nearby. What a blissful sight ! Do not miss this inside the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.

A beautiful walk.. it's an easy, smooth path that loops around. In addition to easy to climb steps to the trail there's an accessible entrance to the trail as well.

Carmel Plaza is a unique outdoor shopping center. They have a couple of levels with gourmet shops, wine tasting, restaurants, various types of stores including Links Club sports bar & entertainment center where you can play simulator golf or practice golf.

Such a charming plaza in Carmel! We enjoyed strolling around, exploring the unique shops, and admiring the cute village vibes. I’ll definitely be coming back!

This is a very pretty plaza with nice sitting areas in the atrium. We were able to park on the bottom floor garage and it has a bathroom on the top floor. The shops are very high-end.

I love visiting the Carmel Plaza. Location is perfect which is right in the middle of Downtown Carmel. It has a lot of seats which is very convenient and comfortable while feasting on our drinks as we rested from shopping. The lovely plaza on the ground floor is definitely instagrammable.

I love visiting Carmel and I think it’s an experience each and everyone needs to experience for one’s own self. The plaza and all are just great. It’s a bit on the high-end as well, so I recommend you go prepared

Great place for dogs to come here and very friendly for pets. If you have pets come here and enjoy your time here, especially the maddog bike shop you can rent one and take your furry friend on a ride to the beach or around the boardwalk. I wouldn't mind coming here again with our furry friend

Bucket list trip booked 17 months ago for golf at Pebble and Spyglass and 3 nights stay at the Lodge. Saved up and it was well worth it - service like we've never experienced - exceptional.

A beautiful venue for experiencing any performance. With approximately 700 seats it has an intimate feel and wonderful acoustics. We have seen the Monterey Symphony Orchestra here multiple times and loved it each performance.

The staff was courteous and the center was spotless, organized and the seating was particularly comfortable.

Sunset Center is well-known for having top-shelf performances of a wide variety of genre. Excellent facilities, Wonderful acoustics and always the best in customer service.

Beautiful Monterey Symphony saxophone and classical concert- exceptionally well done. This is a remarkable community asset which needs more support.

Looks like a nice place. Unfortunately it was closed when we got visit.

Unfortunately, we could not find a security guard in order to help one of their own workers who was being harrassed by a patron who was calling her horrible names. I was going to forcibly remove this man, but there was one more song and she asked me not too. Other than this incident, it was a wonderful experience. The Purple Xperience entertained and the standing room only dance floor was a fantastic new edition!

Jazz at Lincoln Center was more than five star! The orchestra was top notch with every single musician..the guest singers were off the charts! Please come back again!!!

Best sparkling wines in the state!! They have such a great team too. The tasting room is located right in the heart of downtown and is very cozy.

I had a reservation but they accommodated me and my boyfriend to sit earlier. What a great experience, the wine and sparkling were all delicious. The lovely woman who helped us poured a few extra drinks and we appreciated that hospitality. My boyfriend and I got a good buzz from this place before dinner. I ended up being wowed by the Gambay wine and bought one to go! Thank you!

My mother, my son and i stopped in for a wine tasting. Brock served us. The wines were delicious. Brock expanded our pleasure by teaching us about the company and how the wine is made. Learning about fantastic wine as we sipped in beautiful Carmel with great company was the perfect way to celebrate the afternoon.

I’m writing this review because I don’t think a place should be open if their bathroom isn’t functioning. When I visited the tasting room, the restroom was out of order, but guests weren’t informed upon arrival. The staff interaction also felt off — no greeting or explanation about whether the tasting room was open until we stood there awkwardly for a few minutes. The wine itself was good, but the overall lack of communication and hospitality made the experience much less enjoyable.

Had a great time doing the wine tasting. Owner came in and it was a blast to converse and get to know the area. Everyone that worked there is great and definitely will be back and recommend.

My wife and I have been members for several years and have never been disappointed by Caraccioli Cellars. The wines and sparkling are outstanding and the hospitality even better. Dana and her crew make Caraccioli Cellars a most visit location in Carmel any time we are in the area.

The best wine!!!! Try to come at least once a week to see Dana on Wednesday afternoons. She is the absolute best. She was our first server we ever had and keep coming back because of our first experience ❤️❤️ Now we love everyone who works here. Great crew

Really enjoyed my visit. Walked in on a late Mon and was seated immediately as they were not busy. Did the reserve flight of 5 wines (2 white and 3 red) for $35, but was given some bonus pours as well. Pour sizes were standard, maybe slightly on the generous side. Wines were all high quality and pretty good, I really liked a few of their reds. Bottles ranged from $30-90. Service was great. Very attentive and nice. Small tasting room. Definitely worth a visit

Shout out to Matt for hosting me and my boyfriend this weekend! we had lots of fun and all of his suggestions for white wine were delicious. My boyfriend had a small introduction to wine tasting this weekend and he had a great time here. We ended up buying 3 bottles; thank you again Matt!!

Scheid’s Vineyard tasting room was a lot of fun. We happened to make our reservation on Trivia Tuesday which made it even more fun. All the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about the wines. I would definitely recommend stopping in and visiting them if you are ever in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Jim was the most phenomenal sommelier- so jovial, respectful, great conversations, and didn’t let our glasses sit empty. We had a great experience with wonderful tastings. Paired with their complimentary bread, the Sangiovese and Cab were top of our list. We will absolutely visit again!

I have been a member for a long time! The wine is absolutely amazing! And the people who work there are real & talented. We have amazing conversations with patrons and staff everytime! Excellent experience with perfect wine!

10/10 We had such an amazing time! The vibes were relaxed, comfortable and welcoming. It was our first time and we brought our three month old. Every wine we tried was delicious and we went home with three bottles. We will definitely return!

What a great experience. Thank you so much for the amazing service and delicious wine!

This review is not for the visitor center. It’s for this town. The visitor center staff was very tourists friendly. We did not like Carmel by the sea at all - while several local businesses are good (restaurants like Anton and Mechel; mission bistro; Pangaea grill, Simon bull gallery; Carmel walk; bike tour with the bike shop and etc.), the majority of the local businesses (leading by the very arrogant & rude English bike shop which sells cheap intro level side cars (note, every employee other than the owner who pays minimum wage to all his employees is good!), big little boxes, most galleries, le petit pali hotel and etc) does not welcome or accommodate their customers. Local people are rude and hate tourists in general - especially the ones near the fairytale houses. Most local gallery sales people are not artists or do not know arts enough. Funny enough that they think they are still better than their customers - which could be true as the tourists in the place are mostly loud and rude (take pictures in the middle of the road, scream nonstop, squat in the middle of a narrow alley)- definitely not our like minded people. Lived in Georgetown (and still living in the most tourist friendly DC metro area - where our locals get fined for driving rudely around tourists) and had visited numerous tourist towns across the country, this place ranks at bottom on my list - if you have to visit, stay at tickle pink inn and do a day tour here would be your best bet. Otherwise, go Santa Barbara, Annapolis, key west, Duck at outerbank, or even the nearby Avila beach. Everywhere else welcomes tourist better! give back this arrogant and shallow place to the mean and uncivilized locals. I would not recommend it to anyone! Stayed here for a week was the worst traveling decision in my life and I probably won’t be back at all. Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere.

Very nice and helpful staff! Had a nice chat on our first visit to this town, and enjoyed our short stay here. Hope to be back again sometime soon! Loads of good eats around and comfy spots to chill at the center (with fire pits even on a hot day!), and there’s a restroom nearby too. Hope they can offer more small tours to show off their town so I don’t have to drive! 😊

Very cool and quaint little city, visitor centre has very welcoming and helpful staff to help navigate some cool features and hidden pathways. Fantastic place to stop and tour around with a decent amount of food and drink options.

Great little visitors center located on the 2nd floor of this little plaza. We found easy parking in April but can imaging parking being tricky in the summer. They were extremely friendly and gave us all the information we wanted about the area and more! Definitely happy we stopped by!

Went in with a few questions. Each time I asked the reply was a question asked of me. First question was my nationality, which I gave the second was how long I was staying, which I gave again but the third question was where I was staying. Which I felt was very rude and inappropriate. That’s when I turned around and walked out. Happened today approximately 3:30 pm. When I walked in the 2ladies were sitting while conversing. Very disappointed with Visitor Center.

The super soft sand is great for kids to play in. The vista coming down the sand dunes is gorgeous. Waves are pretty strong so we didn't swim in ocean. Parking was not large but we managed to find nearby street parking without hassle. YMMV.

Sign says they close at 5:00 but at 4:44 the closed sign was up and no one was in the shop and we needed shuttle tickets. Not ok!

Wonderful live performances with live bands. Outdoor seating. It can get chilly at night, so bring a blanket, scarf, hat, gloves, and a pillow to sit on (the wooden benches are hard), etc. One can bring their own food and beverages including wine. Many very entertaining musicals!

This was our first time seeing a performance at the Forest Theater and loved it! I especially appreciate how you can bring in your own food & drinks. Would love to attend another show here 🎭

I airways enjoy watching performances at this Theater. Make sure to bring blanket or coat. Also get some hot cocoa and a delicious cookie.

Great promotion. I met up with some great friends' amazing venues. Packed for Shane Dwight.

Great place to enjoy outdoor theatrical performances near downtown Carmel. I recently attended a Sunday matinee of "The Addams Family". Excellent weather: sunny, warm, no wind. This is a family-friendly place to bring your kids, introduce them to theater productions, Very informal. Bring your own snacks and drinks -- see the website for restrictions on what you can bring in. And bring something to sit on -- the seats are wooden benches and can get pretty hard after 2 hours. As far as I know there are no reserved seats. Two issues kept me from giving a 5-star review: the afternoon sun can be an issue, so bring sunscreen and sunglasses. And parking can be a challenge. That theater parking lot is very small, so get there early or you will have to find street parking. Overall, this is a great summer/autumn activity and a chance to see professional theater in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Movies under the stars at Forest Theater in Carmel, CA. Last night an almost full moon, picnic basket with a gourmet dinner, wine and a warm blanket equals a perfect summer evening. Don't miss. Take a seat cushion for extra comfort.

The Forrest Theatre has been our family’s favorite place to go watch live shows. We recently saw The Adam’s family production and went home so disappointed by the vulgarity and inappropriate behavior. It’s started off great with fun music and dancing then throughout the performance it became more and more evident that it was not for families at all. Sexual innuendoes, profanity and lies with deceitful behavior is never a good idea for young crowds to be exposed to. Also, politics is never a good idea for family fun shows. The writers of this play are clearly out of touch and should consider keeping things neutral.