Holiday Greetings

Carmel is a magical place during the holidays. Ocean Avenue glows with holiday lights and shop windows have enchanting displays. Every year I take some time just to stroll the town and side streets to enjoy the special decorations that residents and shop owners have carefully put up to share the joy of the season. The pace is slow, the shops are unique and the restaurants are warm. Carmel-by -the-Sea is a special town to visit to enjoy any and all holidays and celebrations.

The weekend of December 2^nd kicks off the holiday spirit with the annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Holiday Open House with entertainment beginning at 3:30 pm and the official lighting happening around 5:45 pm. There will be music, refreshments and performances. Santa may even make an appearance! Check out all the details here! Directly following the tree lighting will be the Holiday Open House in the Carmel Plaza. Be sure to stop by to beat the Christmas shopping rush!

On Sunday, December 4^th, take a tour of some of Carmel’s Inns of Distinction. Even though we are not on the tour this year, we still welcome you to come by and visit. We are happy to give a private tour, no tickets needed. Click here to purchase tickets for the Inns of Distinction tour.

Even though we don’t enjoy snowfall here on the peninsula, Ice Skating By The Bay in downtown Monterey manages to make us feel like we are in our own Winter Wonderland.

Dance Kids of Monterey County will be putting on their 23^rd Annual Nutcracker show this year. It will be performed in the Sunset Center starting Friday, December 9^th. Purchase tickets to the show here!

The Pacific Repertory Theatre at the Golden Bough Theater in Carmel is putting on two great shows this winter season.  Sister Act is showing until December 18^th.  It will be followed by Winter Boogie Wonderland from December 29^th through January 8^th. Click here to purchase tickets!

First Night Monterey is an annual New Year’s Eve celebration that takes place in downtown Monterey, from 3:00 pm to midnight.  If you’re interested in ringing in 2017 with Monterey locals and visitors, find all of the details here.

The Annual Rio Grill Resolution Run starts at the Crossroads, winds though downtown Carmel and ends at Carmel Mission.  The run is a family event, including dogs. Choose either a 5K or 10K course to run, walk, or stroll.

If you can’t make it to town over the holidays, think about January and February, just to relax and rejuvenate. We have lots of special packages available, simply call and ask. We also offer Gift Certificates that are perfect for any type of gift giving.

We hope to see you this Holiday season!

Tours By The Sea

While visiting Carmel, one should absolutely explore and attempt to visit all of the hidden pathways and charming courtyards. Of course it is endless fun to wander through town and find great shops on your own; however, taking a tour will ensure that you encounter many of Carmel's hidden gems that one might have missed. Whether the tour is self-guided or in a group, you will be sure to find all of the must see spots of Carmel By The Sea.

There are tours offered for the food and wine connoisseur as well as tours for visitors who enjoy learning about the history and culture of a town. Carmel is celebrating its centennial this year and the celebration makes learning about the rich history of the village even more interesting.          

  

Brief descriptions of some great self guided tours follow:     

                                                             

Wine Walk By The Sea

What's better than a darling village full of wine tasting rooms? Carmel Wine Walk by-the-Sea is a self-guided stroll along Ocean Avenue and the surrounding blocks. One may purchase a wine passport from our front desk staff that entitles the buyer to one $10 flight at 9 different wine tasting rooms of your choosing. These passports can be used in one day, or enjoyed over a long weekend or even a few months.

Carmel's Historic Walking Tour

This self-guided tour suggests various interesting and notable historic homes and buildings to see. We are able to provide maps for this enlightening stroll upon request.

If you prefer to be guided along by a knowledgeable local, consider any of these guided tours:

Carmel Food Tour

Love food but don't know where to begin? The guided Gourmet Food Tour visits seven food tasting locations within the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. These locally-owned tasting stops are only the tip of the iceberg, as Carmel is truly a perfect town for foodies.

Carmel Walks

Enjoy a leisurely 2-hour guided walk through Carmel’s secret pathways, hidden courtyards, award-winning gardens, and by enchanting storybook cottages. This company also offers guided tours within Point Lobos. Point Lobos is one of the gems of the State Park System with gorgeous views of land and sea.

Carmel Art Tours

Perhaps a day enjoying art is more your style; if so, consider a 90 minute guided walking tour of local galleries.

Ag Venture Tours & Consulting

Take a wine tasting tour in Carmel Valley!

Big Sur Tours and More

                                                                                                                                                                    Big Sur is a beautiful area not to be missed! Join Dave, a local guide, on a customized tour of Big Sur. Dave also offers tours of beautiful 17 Mile Drive and transportation to Hearst Castle. 

Summer - Thinking Outside the Beach

Summer has arrived in Carmel-By-The-Sea! Carmel is a great escape from the sweltering heat many experience in other parts of the state.  Whether  you are traveling as a couple, in a group of friends or as a family, June and July offer a variety of events to attend in addition to all of the wonderful outdoor activities and food in the area.

The Carmel Bach Festival is in its 79th season of offering brilliant performances by world class musicians who gather from around the country. Opening night will be Saturday, July 16th, with a performance of Bach and Handel by the Sea in celebration of Carmel's centennial.  There will be concerts held daily through Saturday, July 30th. Venues include Sunset Center, Church in the Forest, Carmel Mission Basilica and other locations in Carmel. Visit the website for the schedule and tickets. Many concerts sell out early.

If you will be in Carmel for Father's Day, Run in the Name of Love is both a 5K run and a 2K walk through Carmel. This year dogs will be welcome in the 2K walk. This is a nice family event open to the public and you can register up to and including race day.

The Carmel House and Garden Tour, hosted by the Carmel Heritage Society, on Saturday, June 25th, will have some special houses included this year. These homes are all within Carmel-by-the-Sea and it is a great walk around the town and an opportunity to see inside some of the unique homes of Carmel. Included this year will be: The first house built in Carmel "The Dunes", The First Brick House built in Carmel in 1898, The Charles Sumner Greene Studio, the Frank Lloyd Wright House, and a Comstock house. You can see the complete list at www.carmelheritage.org. They also have a great exhibit called "Then and Now".

The unique outdoor Forest Theater, founded in 1910, is one of the oldest outdoor theaters west of the Rockies. The theater was closed last summer to update it and bring it up to code. It has just reopened and offers a fun lineup for the summer. The featured play this summer is The Borrowers and will run from June 23 through July 17. There will also be a number of films shown on the large outdoor screen during June  and July. Take a picnic, a bottle of wine, and sit under the pines for a relaxing evening. As always in Carmel, dogs are welcome. For the schedule and times go to www.foresttheaterguild.org

The Carmel Valley Art & Wine Celebration takes place on June 18th. It is held throughout Carmel Valley Village where you can sip on award-winning Carmel Valley wines while viewing the work of over 50 artists in the Village streets. Carmel Valley is just 12 miles from downtown Carmel.

So no matter the reason one chooses to visit Carmel in summer, we are sure you will find something unexpected to enjoy. We hope to see you in the coming months!