Carmel, California skyline: the 40 most iconic buildings and best views in Carmel

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.

I'm not a religious person, but I was really lucky to come here on a Sunday while Mass was going on. This is a nice relic of the past, reminding you how before the Americans got here, how the Spanish began building up these places with the Missions. Fair warning, parking is TIGHT with all these people.

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 grounds and a nice place to visit when in Carmel by the Sea. Something other than the beach and Ocean Ave. Not overly busy and plenty of parking. Pleasant neighborhood. Walked by it on the way to Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant.

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.

Best place to take your dog off leash. Dog owners there are very responsible and pick up after their pets. It is a beautiful beach and lovely walk.

This beach is one of best beaches in California, with white sand. The beach is quite long. People throng the beach specially to watch the sunset. But specially on weekends, it becomes difficult to find parking place.

Carmel Beach is absolutely stunning and unlike any other! The sand is so unique, and the beach is incredibly clean, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing day out. The sunsets here are breathtaking, and it’s super pet-friendly—we saw so many adorable dogs having the time of their lives! Whether you’re planning a picnic, a leisurely walk, or just soaking in the views, this beach has it all. The atmosphere is peaceful, and the scenery is insane. Highly recommend visiting—it’s such a cute and memorable experience!

Great beach - super wide and clean and has beautiful views

One of the most beautiful seaside places. The beach is stunning and the surroundings are breathtaking. The town and the beach is so clean and people are so friendly. Wonderful place

Stunning public beach with very light sand, thundering waves, and COLD water (swim at your own risk).

Large clean beach, super dog friendly. My dog had a lot of fun and we loved it! Parking is challenging near the beach, but we found parking in downtown and walked to the beach and it was a nice walk.

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.

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!!

A beautiful and clean beach. A hidden gem. A great bathroom. That actually had toilet paper and hand towels

This beautiful beach with sugary white sand is a must see. Beautiful uniquely achitectured, million dollar homes dot along the scenic road and the whole Carmel city. Just beautiful place.

Alright, the house is cool and all that. But what made the trip was going down to the small beach tidepool area next to it. I loved exploring the tiny little universes between the rocks and little pools of sea creature ecosystems. I got to see crabs, sea stars, hermit crab parties, and a beautiful view of the water.

I didn't get a chance to go inside but the view around it is superb. Good spot to see the sunset.

Historical tour today. Very small rooms with even smaller bathrooms. Triangle pattern to the layout. Classic FLR. Great views from most rooms. Great docents helping with explanations. Frank's ideas are beautiful but not practical.

It was an amazing drive to reach to this location. The house is currently private property so one can’t really go in but there is a way to access from the beach and you can see the house foundation and windows from far. We went to the beach and sat down for a while to study the concept. This house was designed by FLW. One must visit when they open for public in June for fundraising event.

Only see from outside. Private property. Walked along scenic road, saw some nice beach houses & whales in far, far ocean, jetting the water.

This is a perfect sea-view house. There’s a private beach. I think the person who built this house might have a poetic life.

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.

Wow! What a gem, right in Carmel. Fascinating life, house and story. Our docent was great and the property is preserved so beautifully. Highly recommend if you get a chance. Only 6 people per tour, so check availability online and get tickets in advance!

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!

We are awed each time we visit this gallery. While it is not one of the glitzy galleries, it is filled with beauty created by local artists. The wide variety of media and artist interests makes for a pleasant time of exploration while perusing the art.

Beautiful artworks and nice staff 👌

Our favorite art gallery in Carmel by the Sea. Every time we are in Carmel we stop by and enjoy the lovely gardens, the beautiful galleries of fine art, and the recent key features.

Had some art to donate as it was not our style. Sally was awesome from start to finish. Beautiful work throughout this gallery.

The collection is nice and you must consider a visit if you are looking to buy art.

Love annual sojourn to this place....used to visit with my parents & now my kids growing up

Talented local artists offer their work for sale. Lots of styles and scenes from peninsula favorite places in oil and water color. Some lovely sculptures as well. Always a pleasure to visit.

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.

The staff at the Carmel Library are all the kindness and most caring people. They host some fabulous events, and every person that works there is kind, considerate and always makes me feel welcome and valued. Very grateful for this gem in Carmel and all the wonderful individuals that work there and take great care of the visitors and the beautiful library. It's truly a unique experience and I always feel uplifted after being there. Thank you so very much.

Gorgeous library with a nicely landscaped exterior garden

Very cute library

They have had several amusing creative events lately...nature sketches, jewelry making, and today we made masks for Halloween. Was fun!

Legendary Berkeley architect Bernard Maybeck designed this 1928 structure, named for California Supreme Court Justice Ralph Harrison, whose wife Ella Harrison financed it.

Harrison Memorial Library continues to be one of my favorite libraries for over 45+ years now. There is a comprehensive format of e-books, large print and audio books...oh yes, and did I mention 'real' books? In addition, there is a fantastic DVD collection. Best of all, knowledgeable staff are always on hand for reference and research. Harrison's 'Friends of the Library' regularly present guest authors and speakers which covers every genre. All right here in the magical village of Carmel!

Beautiful library - a haven of peace in the middle of the slightly touristy vibe of much of central Carmel. The range of books available is excellent and well curated (found some phenomenal local geology books here). The reading room is spacious and full of light.

Cute little sweets store, great selection of sweets. The staff were kind and friendly. If you’re in Carmel I recommend you to check out their store.

If you ever want to feel what Charlie did in the chocolate factory then step into Cottage of Sweets. Very easy to find if you’re walking in downtown Carmel, it somehow feels hidden even though it’s in plain sight. The exterior makes it seem like it’s just another shop but once you step in you’re greeted by enough candy and sweets to make you pre-diabetic at first sight. The shop itself is very small and narrow but they pack it to the brim with goodies. From regular candies to special edition/harder to find ones to fresh baked sweets; this place has it all. We looked around searching for something that called out to us. This is a place where there are just so many options that it’s hard to decide what you want to sink your teeth into. After a lot of deliberating we went with the chocolate peanut butter cup (they have milk and dark, we chose milk) and the cookies and cream malt balls (basically cookies and cream Whoppers). Excited to get some cavities, they bagged our sweets and we headed straight across the street to eat them. That’s one thing to note, there is no seating in there so if you want to eat immediately then you have to find seating. Luckily there is a library on the corner across the street with benches. Searching for a sugar rush, here’s what we found: the peanut butter cup was great. The chocolate shell is a bit hard to bite through, definitely not as soft as a Reese’s but the chocolate is much higher quality. The peanut butter filling is soft and delicious, easily a better version of a Reese’s. Moving onto the malt balls, they were great. Very light cookies and cream flavor but sweet. Much more on the cream side of cookies and cream so be aware of that. The texture is fantastic, soft exterior and a nice crunch from the malt interior. We were very pleased by both things we got and it far exceeded what we thought they would be. Cottage of Sweets is a must go if you’re in the downtown Carmel area, you won’t regret it.

The Cottage of Sweets was our favorite stop in town for obvious reasons! The building is historic, and the chocolate / candy available inside is fantastic. Amongst other things, we had chocolate covered gummy bears for the first time ever today. They were really good!

Order No. 10576 Placed on Jul 9, 2024. Delivery photos. I received the fudge order today and was disappointed the order was shipped without cold packs. It was definitely not a pleasant visual experience when I opened the 2 boxes. And to not have each flavor of fudge wrapped separately was a big mistake as the 2 different fudges stuck to each other. See photos below. As a result I will not be ordering any of your fudge for family or friends. The orders I’ve received in the past from you were fantastic quality and appearance upon delivery. From the photos unfortunately your shipping a quality product has deteriorated. Hopefully this honest email help to not disappoint a future customer.

Huge variety of sweets in this shop. Items can be $$$, some candies are $54/lb. Unless there's a specific candy that only this shop carries, you may find significantly lower prices elsewhere.

Really cute spot with lots of chocolates and candies. A bit pricey, and the quality was just okay. We tried three different items, but nothing really stood out—pretty basic, similar to what you could find elsewhere.

A cute little cottage full of Sweets! It's smaller on the inside than it seems from the photos, so every nook is full of goodies and visitors. For those anglophiles, you'll particularly love their selection of imported British candies.

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!

I had the good fortune to attend the Home and Garden Tour 2021… lovely choice of homes and enjoyed talking with some of the owners… was able to see all 8 houses, but wear comfortable walking shoes… thank you for the opportunity to go into the Frank Lloyd Wright home this year…. Nice treat!

I stopped by 3 times on a Wednesday when they are supposed to be open, but nobody was ever there. I strongly suspect the organization depends heavily on volunteers, which means staffing is unreliable. I only had one day to spend in town.

I like.

Beautifully town

(Translated by Google) The town is very unique, and I heard it has a bohemian feel. There are many restaurants in town, you can try French or Mexican food! (Original) 小镇很有特色，听说仿波西米亚风情。镇上餐厅很多，可以尝尝法国菜或墨西哥菜！

(Translated by Google) Beautiful place.... Beach and beautiful landscapes you can't miss it. Make time to spend X here, you won't regret it. (Original) Hermoso lugar.... Playa y paisajes hernosos no te lo podes perder. Hacete tiempo para pasar X aquí no te vas a arrepentir.

We’ve walked on a lot of trails from the northeast down to Texas and this trail is one of the prettier we’ve been on. One big thing to note off the bat is the weather and temperature here make this a very easy hike from a heat standpoint. That being said, do not dress to be warm. There’s plenty of uphill trekking to do and we made that mistake and came out of it a bit sweaty. The trail itself is not very accessible unless you have either a car or you’re staying nearby since there are no real sidewalks in the area. There are multiple different trails within the park and we walked two out of the three with ease. This is both a very dog friendly and foliage heavy park. I say this to warn you that there is A LOT of poison oak on this trail so make sure to watch your step and keep your dog closeby if they’re the kind that likes to eat plants or go up to the greenery. Outside of that the park and trails are beautiful, a lot of different flowers and plants all throughout; some even have placards saying which species they are. The floor is pretty even so there’s no slip risk really, nor are there parts that are difficult to cross. As mentioned before, the hardest part of the trail is the uphill portion but even that is not very difficult, especially if you’re used to hiking or walking trails. One big plus throughout the trail and park are the garbage cans, which become very useful when you have a dog who chooses to relieve itself or even if you just have something you want to toss. These are mostly out and back trails that don’t have a true peak or lookout so take your time and don’t feel committed to seeing the whole thing through since there’s not really a “thing” to see. All in all this is a very enjoyable park and trail, great for the casual walker or someone who wants to get some energy out of their pets. It is a beautiful trail with gorgeous plants, again just be careful of the poison oak. Outside of that, it quite honestly is the perfect early morning walk just to walk some kind of trail. We wouldn’t say it’s something you need to drive out of your way to do, it’s more something to go to if you’re close to the park and feel like getting some greenery and extra steps in.

Tasting this park kind of depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a leisurely stroll in the morning that takes maybe 15 to 20 minutes and it’s not very hilly then this is your place and you’re eating it high. If you’re looking for something a little more rigorous with hills sand stuff to look at then it’s more average. I guess the cool part is it’s in the middle of residential area. The path is not paved, but it’s groomed with rocks and bark so it’s a pretty easy walk. The kind of “hike“ you can stroll with a cup of coffee.

Pretty city park that also features a redwood grove, native-plant arboretum, even a mansion. Built on a hill so expect inclines, but the main trail (the blue trail on the map) is wide and graded for easy walking. Many dog walkers here. We tried to enter from a couple places but the easiest access and flattest ground is at the southern end across the street from the Carmel Mission Basilica (park on street shoulder nearby). Lots of poison oak so watch yourself on the narrow trails.

This was a lovely smaller park to visit in the Carmel area. Many different species of plants to admire. FYI- This park has many people bring their dogs and we encountered several dogs off their leash that came up to us. All were friendly and I am not sure if dogs are required to be on a leash here, but if you are afraid of dogs this park may not be for you.

Beautiful secret garden of Carmel by the sea. Great for a nice walk after having a bite. Spring and summer offer tons of blooms. Some easy trails and some to get your blood pumping a bit. I've been a visitor of Carmel since I was a kid and only discovered this at 27 years old;) Check it out. Best spot to enter is directly across from the mission. Watch out for poison oak.

Beautiful scenery and easy hikes. Use Google maps so you don't get lost on the many trails.

We had a great time this trail system is very nice and easy great for families but I didn't see any restrooms .

We visited here to obtain two permits for members of our travelling party to wear high heels. It is a pleasant and quick procedure for such a permit to be issued (at no cost) and you then have a pleasant souvenir of the seaside town. Two hour street parking at the door.

I find it amazing that Carmel has a non smoking beach and beach sidewalk but has absolutely ZERO police enforcement of same ie handing out citations? when do the Lung patients and non smoking visitors and citizens get a break from this minority thinking they have the right to pollute the air hundreds of feet downwind with Cigars(prevalent at sun set near the water) or cigarettes(at the 6th and scenic beach entrance) all along the pathways and beach!.. Make the non smoking signs a LOT larger and easier for these idiots to see and start handing out citations and actually enforcing the law!!.. carmel gets a 1 star rating till this issue starts being addressed by the Carmel PD and the city council!! a non smoking local!(and lung patient).

A small and pretty city

The people here are very helpful and nice.

(Translated by Google) Beautiful artistic town! (Original) 美麗的藝術小鎮！

(Translated by Google) A small but elegant seaside city! (Original) ㄧ個小而優雅的海邊城市！

Free parking in front and in the lot in back. The museum is upstairs. Large hall with artifacts and reproductions of the California constitution. Great docent who gave us a tour of the museum. The jail is next door and down stairs, Self guided and fun.

Monterey has a rich history and Colton Hall and the Old Monterey Jail are a "must see." You can see old graffiti scratched into the stones in the back of the jail. If you want, you can go to the museum, or just stroll around the whole area. I love the bear sculptures and the seal of California in front of the buildings. There are different garden areas and a lot of beautiful old stone work.

Amazing history. A must see when in Monterey...

This is a very interesting stop to make while in Monterey. You can view the first Constitution since this is where it all started. We were lucky enough to meet Liz there who explained it all so well. The old Jail is cool too.

Small but historically important free museum. Plan on about 15 minutes. It's mostly about creating the State constitution. Also a nice view out the balcony. Worth a visit. Did I mention it was FREE?

The grounds are beautiful and the history on the placards are a definite must read. The bear statues are cool. The park is very clean and manicured.

Not kid friendly at all, my 6 year old walked up the stairs slowly and stood on the balcony to take a picture then was getting ready to walk back down, and the lady came out and said please don’t let them play on the stairs? I was thinking about taking them inside but she was very rude, we were not even on the stairs or near them.

It took me far too long to visit this museum. I would pass the building almost daily until I ventured in through the garden gate. I was pleasantly surprised by the garden and grounds behind the museum. What a peaceful place to slip away from the hustle and bustle of the wharf. The museum is very well done.

The Pacific House museum does a credible job of telling the story of early Monterey, from the time before Spanish settlement through the time of heavy trading. The very best part of the museum, in my opinion, is the vast collection of Native tools, textiles and baskets on the second floor. I was the only one there, but the first floor wasn't terribly crowded either. If you're looking for something more to do than shop and eat, this place is worth a look. And it's free, to boot.

I enjoyed the museum. It will take less than 30 minutes and kids liked it. There is nice seating area outside the museum where we our home brought lunch.

Beautiful museum and gardens. Quiet place to get away from the crowds by the Wharf. Lots of benches to relax and enjoy the flowers.

Very nice free museum. Plan on about 30 minutes. Great location. Historic building. Nice displays. Well worth the effort. Did I mention it's FREE?

Brilliant Beautiful place! We witnessed the Hookah Lounge Restaurant Employee dressed in all black attire cut off several flowers and steal them for the restaurant he works at right across from the Pacific House Museum. We called the Ranger and the Museum. This is sickening that they steal the flowers for their table decor! A wonderful Museum.

One of the many buildings in historic, downtown Monterey that are part of the state park. The free museum explores the history of Monterey and the founding of California as a state. I found the first half the museum pretty interesting (on the west side) even though it could use an update. Don't miss the language activity where you can hear the local Indigenous language. The east side of the building has an overview of the many houses in the park, a small exhibit about Californios, too. Upstairs is a Native American museum, however, while the basketry is stellar the majority of the objects on display are not from California. Seems someone with a fondness of romantic Plains Indians collected most of the objects. Would be nice to see that updated, but, funding rules and there isn't much of it.

Lots of volunteers taking care of the garden. It's a gem in here. Alta bakery and Cella restaurant share the backyard, patio, garden and restrooms. It felt like living on a beautiful estate.

We found this place, on our way to get lunch. It's a hidden gem. We were able to stroll through the garden, lots of flowers. Relaxing place, the lunch was great at Alta Bakery, which shares the same corner and their are public restrooms.

You'll have to look for this place - kinda tucked away - but well worth the effort. Lovely walled garden and garden paths with the 'required' garden cat. Inside the house, a well done presentation of the history with fresh looks of the Cooper / Molera family and Monterey's history. Great venue if you need a venue! Clean bathrooms. All in all a perfect escape or place to take a break.

Excellent historic adobe and museum. Friendly and helpful staff too

Really interesting historic house, well curated. I hope there will be even more interpretation added once the 2nd floor restoration is complete and more in particular added about the history of Native people in the area and the way the families that lived here operated within the socio-political structures of at least 4 different governments/states and how they participated in international trade networks.

Family gathered for a birthday lunch. 4 of 5 of us are vegetarian. The food was good. I had the avocado toast. It could have benefited from some seasoning. The garlic fries were awesome. Coffee and hot chocolate excellent! There was a huge crowd so some things weren't available when we ordered. Outdoor seating only.

This beautiful historic park is a treasure in downtown Monterey. A genius partnership between private business and the national trust of historic places has allowed this space to reopen. Both the historic buildings/gardens and the cafe now occupying one of the buildings are not to be missed. Drop by, slow down, and appreciate what this space has to offer.

This historical site, built in 1840 is a place Robert Louis Stevenson stayed and did writing. The building was closed and tours don't appear to be scheduled, you can explore the grounds and peer through the windows. To enter the backyard garden you go through an opening (unmarked in front of the building). It's worth a quick stroll if you're interested in a historic site.

Charming building where Robert Louis Stevenson lived for three and a half months in 1879. There’s a lovely, quiet garden in the back that’s great for a peaceful sit down. The major downside is that the building is open only April through October, that too only on Saturdays, and that too only 1-4pm. Nevertheless, worth a visit if you love Stevenson and wish to have a blissful hour in a nice backyard garden.

Interesting point of exploration in Monterey, California. Robert Louis Stevenson home from 1879, where Treasure Island was manuscripted.

The right time to visit and enjoy this secret garden!

Friendly, knowledgeable docents. Great antique collection. Beautiful building.

The interior was closed when I walked by on the Path of History, but the gardens are very beautiful and peaceful. There are a couple placards posted so you can pick up a little info even without going inside.

Interesting history, house & pretty garden!

Pretty cool place to visit.

Sadly not to visit. Seems to be under construction anyway.

We didn't make it to go inside. We looked around outside and it looked amazing.

The history is amazing.

Its a neat place to check out if your in Monterey.

Excellent wild flower garden.

Nice neighborhood venue.

This is one of the stops of the Monterey Path of History. On my visit, the gardens were open and they were beautiful. It is definitely worth the stop. I would like to add that I have attempted to visit several other times within the open hours listed on Google and found that they were not open. Also, there is no signage on the home itself in any of the windows that would indicate whether or not this home is available for touring. I do realize this information may be available somewhere online, but it would be nice for tourists and locals alike for more information to be available on-site. Otherwise, two random garden doors marked "entrance" can be quite confusing as once you are back there it almost feels as though you are somewhere you are not supposed to be.

Exterior was open to the public with an informational QR code. The interior was only open on Fridays and Saturdays.

Larkin house is a hidden treasure Garden of Solace and Silent Lucidity. At this time it's a good place reflect and enjoy by oneself or another. Places like this will make one's solitude and isolation feel like not only a need but a fulfillment.

When I was around 4,5,6, we lived on the ranch us kids played around our house the pasture we would play where there was a creek and dam I think the house was white if looking the barns the house on the left we went down a long drive way. Ya can see the hills I love that place.. great memories Karen Cole. . 1963 we left for Washington in ,64..thanks

What a gorgeous spot in the heart of Monterey!

Everything felt thoughtfully arranged, from the seating to the layout of pathways.

We enjoyed walking around the quiet gardens. We went as part of the self-guided walking tour of historical buildings in Monterey--it was great and very educational, would recommend.

best spot for super car, hyper cars. great walk. every thing so clean i feel this place is in disneyland

Best tour we had for a while! Loved it so much! I think you shall start your trip with this walk if possible. We were feeling sad on our tour of the town this morning seeing all the national chained brand stores everywhere and very few local stores on ocean avenue. However, my view has changed after this tour - the rich history and culture stories brought all the charms of the town together. Our tour guide Gael was amazing - funny and knowledgeable! She’s a true local and knows the town throughout. Highly recommend!

Carmel-by-the-Sea is such a cool, quaint little beach town. There are tons of great shops and restaurants to explore here while walking through town. Ocean Ave is the main drag, but there are lots of great shops on the side streets as well. The architecture of many of the buildings here have a historic Spanish Mediterranean look to them. My favorite building was the Cottage of Sweets! This is a special town that definitely requires a visit. It's one of the coolest small towns we've ever been to.

We took a Friday morning Carmel Walks tour with Gael in mid-July, and it was truly unforgettable. Just my wife, our two dogs (a senior sweetheart and a curious little deaf pup), and Gael, who guided us through the charm, history, and whimsy of Carmel-by-the-Sea. From secret gardens and art galleries to historic dog-friendly hotels and tucked-away courtyards, every stop had its own story. We rang church bells, met kind locals, and wandered through shortcuts and secret passages. As people who love art, architecture, food, and films this had it all! But what made this tour really special? It helped us slow down. We kept our phones tucked away and just… took it all in. The architecture, the flowers, the stories, the little and big ‘wow’ moments that reminded us to be present. For a few hours, the noise of the world faded, and we were simply in it, wide-eyed and grateful. Gael is more than a guide, she’s woven into the spirit of Carmel. Her warmth, knowledge, and love for this place shine through, and by the end, you feel a little more enchanted and a little more hopeful about the world. Don’t miss this experience, especially if you’re traveling with pups. We left feeling lighter, inspired, and more connected to each other. We’re already dreaming of joining another one of Gael’s tours next time we’re in town.

We had a wonderful walk in the city! Very beautiful and festive Christmas and New Year atmosphere! Atmospheric restaurants and coffee shops everywhere... the downside of walking on holidays is the long lines everywhere! We really liked the pleasant architecture!

Carmen - a review for the whole town. When it's boring you can come and walk, there is an opportunity to visit a cafe and also various shops, of course the price will be higher in them than in the city. The atmosphere is a bit European, I was in Europe, there is someone to compare with. We were passing through, we will not go a second time.

Gael was A FABULOUS PERSON TO TAKE TOURS WITH! Very knowledgeable, smart, wise, very funny, welcoming, kind, sweet, awesome, positive and over all a joy to have been with 2 hours. Found many gems around the town, history, more yummy places to try and walk ways that had some of the most BEAUTIFUL scenes! Highly recommend! Thank you ms. Gael!

Stopped by again, added some pics and a video, beautiful views. Winged roof looks ready to take off 🦋 good for imagination, especially young ones. Added foggy pics to contrast with the sunny ones.

Perfect sea view room with views along the way. A quiet walk, every house is a view.

An architectural wonder! The Butterfly House is unique and beautifully designed, perched right on the coastline with incredible ocean views.

What a beautiful scenic road and the house is stunning. The whole row of houses up and down this road is with a walk or drive to see. One can dream!

Pretty scenery nearby!

This is a beautiful home in a stunning location.

Scenic view. Beware, no parking on the roadside.

Lots of unusual gifts I always stop by here when visiting Carmel. Thay have a variety of cute and unusual gifts in many categories.

Really cute vibe store with candles, notebooks, clothes, bags and lots of items, really worth it to go check it out if you’re in Carmel!! Very friendly staff, loved shopping around!

One of my favorite shops in Carmel. Don't forget to check out the ladies clothing and accessories upstairs 🥰🥰

Exceptionally slow service. One woman seems to watch everyone with her clipboard and then get on the phone. The poor cashier is heating food, making drinks, and taking orders

Awesome gift shop in this cute town. Special shout out to the owner who was so helpful and quickly ran the register before my wife came by; as i wanted to get a gift for my wife in secret as she was looking at other items in the store. Thank you!! I’ll be giving it to her as a surprise this Valentine’s Day.

UPDATE: 7.24.22 We always love to shop here when visiting Carmel. They always have unique "finds" and treasures. From books to pet goodies to unique kitchen utensils on the first floor and clothing, books and other goodies on the second floor, they have a unique selection of goods. 1 year ago: Always a great shopping experience at Carmel Bay Company.

Always one of my favorite stores to visit when I’m in town. So many wonderful, unique and fun things to look at and yes, buy. Perfect spot for gift-buying. The staff are always friendly and welcoming.

I had tried 4-5 times to contact them regarding booking my wedding there next year. It took several weeks to get a response. Yesterday we made plans to tour. The manager Terry stated tours were available Tuesdays and Thursdays. I then told her I lived in Irvine which is almost 6 hours away, and could only come on a weekend. Terry then said if I could definitely come Saturday (today) she would give me a tour. I thanked her and let her know I would get there by early afternoon (again it’s 6 hours north). I figured I would let her knows when I was an hour away. I left at 7 am. Four hours into the drive I stopped for gas and saw she emailed me at 9 stating she would cancel if I didn’t tell her when I’d be there and soon. I then emailed back and texted her stating I had already been driving for 4 hours. She canceled anyway stating it was her day off. And then said I could still go look in the window. Are you kidding? Needless to say we are going with another venue. I would not invest money in this poorly managed venue. My dogs and I are now on our 4 hour drive back home.

First time here. Lots to see here. We just walked through here and looked at the shops.

(Translated by Google) Visiting Monterrey County we approached this charming town, looking for a place to eat and take a walk. Walking through its streets we found this new space and we entered it, we walked around inside looking at the store windows, both clothing, gifts, footwear, household products, etc. It also has a small Turkish bath. We took some photos. (Original) Visitando el condado de Monterrey nos acercamos a esta encantadora localidad, buscando lugar para comer y de paso dar una vuelta. Paseando por sus calles encontramos ente nuevo espacio y nos adentramos en el mismo, dimos una vuelta en su interior viendo los escaparates de las tiendas, tanto de ropa, regalos, calzado, productos para el hogar, etc. además cuenta con un pequeño baño turco. Hicimos algunas fotos.

(Translated by Google) There are many shops inside. The gift shops and clothing stores are very unique. It's not bad to browse. There is also a small food court in the end. Wandering to the second floor (which has an elevator), it seems that most of the buildings are vacant. There is a toilet in the middle. I haven't checked it yet, so I don't know if it can be used. (Original) 裡面店鋪不少，禮品店、服飾店都極具特色，逛逛還不錯，最裏邊還有個小型美食廣場。 閒逛至二樓(有電梯)似乎坊間多為空置，正中間有廁所，未查看，不知能否使用。

(Translated by Google) Boy but father (Original) Chico pero padre

Stumbled upon this during some free time I had in Monterey. Located in the historical center of Monterey, I found this little brick building to be very interesting. It was free and open to the public, as a self guided tour of sorts. Inside are panels with descriptions of the interesting history behind this building and several old pictures. The grounds are peaceful and serene. It will be a quick visit, maybe 20 minutes tops, but there are several other historical sites in the area that can be visited to make it a full morning or afternoon.

Nicely preserved remnant of old Monterey, interesting inside and out.

Very much open as of Tuesday 11th March 2025.

The first floor is open with displays showing why it was constructed in brick and its use throughout history. Free to enter.

First Brickhouse is a great historical site. And we are grateful to be a part of the restoration.

As of today, December 24, 2018, the museum is open for self guided tours only, though it is considered to be "temporarily closed" for reasons I'm not aware of.

Very beautiful.

Very private. It does not appear open at first glance.

Great place to go at Christmas

Beautiful and historic

On 10/07/2025 I was with my family in Carmel, California coming from Santa Barabara, a trip we are making from Brazil. We visited the California Classics in Carmel store to buy clothes and gifts for our Brazilian relatives. Although the store is good, we received extremely poor service, even after spending more than 130 dollars in the store. The attendant offered me a package for 0.25 cents, I paid and she left without giving me the package, she only gave it to me when I asked her to. I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT AND WE WILL NOT COME BACK, as now we only spend money where we are well looked after.

Got a big foot tshirt for my dad for Father's day and a sticker for my husband's video game cabinet. Cute shop.

Hello, I would like to reach you because I forget something in your store but I have no way to contact you. Thank you in advance for the help. Best, Olivia

Great shirts and the lady who helped me was great!

This is such a wonderful place!

Quaint little Shopping Center in a 19th Century style Cottage, very apt for Carmel by the Sea ambiance.

(Translated by Google) It has a unique sign, and there are restaurants, candy shops, and gift shops next to it. When you walk to the small square behind the candy shop, there is a small fountain with a fountain, which is quite a sight. (Original) 獨特的標誌，旁邊有餐廳、糖果店、禮品店，走至糖果店後方小小廣場還有個噴小小的水池，頗有幾分景緻。

Bought 2 beautiful paintings and the gallery was absolutely beautiful!!

While they have very nice furniture my complaint is that my husband and I bought a couch and we were not told before the sale that it wouldn't arrive till 6 months later. While I understand I should've asked prior I feel this is something that should have been mentioned before, especially since the order was almost $4K! I tried to cancel my order about a month later due to an unexpected death in the family and wanted to use the money instead towards a funeral. They did not allow me to cancel since it had to be ordered and again this was not mentioned prior to placing the order and when I called to cancel they said it was printed on the recipet they won't refund. Again this was not mentioned before placing the oder that an order that would take months the arrive cannot be canceled. This seems like very slimy behavior. Would not recommend on principle. They act nice to you, but it's all a facade.