Every vacation is a balance between relaxation and adventure, but when you’re visiting a place as storied as Carmel-by-the-Sea or Monterey, the stakes feel higher. You want to soak in the coastal beauty, visit the best restaurants (the ones everyone is buzzing about), and experience the charm that makes this stretch of California coastline so magical—without feeling overwhelmed by all the choices. But, if you’re short on time, you might be asking yourself: just what are the best things to do in Carmel (and Monterey)?
Don’t worry—I’ve got you. These tips to planning the perfect weekend in Carmel and Monterey—from outdoor brunches and scenic walks to hidden gem cocktail bars and once-in-a-lifetime sunset views. Whether you’re here for a romantic getaway, a solo escape, or a weekend with friends, this itinerary will help you make the most of your time in one of California’s most enchanting destinations.
Let’s dive in!
Al Fresco Breakfast at Stationæry
Tucked away in the San Carlos Square (just off Ocean Avenue), Stationæry is the place to get breakfast or brunch in Carmel. Soak up the coastal morning air on the patio, says ‘cheers’ to your vacation with mimosas (or full mimosa service for a group!), a peachy bellini adorned with floral petals, or a refreshing non-alcoholic shrub.
If you like savory breakfasts, try the Crispy Rice Salad Bowl—a vibrant mix of candied bacon, shiso, cucumbers, peanuts, and pickled chili, offering a nice balance of crunch and heat. If you’re in the mood for comfort food, the French Toast is a must. Thick slices of milk bread come drenched in mascarpone cheese, cinnamon apples, and sweet brown butter. Or go classic with the Breakfast Plate, featuring chive-scrambled eggs, Baker’s bacon, a flaky buttermilk biscuit (so good!), jam, and avocado.
Pair your meal with a matcha latte, a beautiful and earthy way to start your morning, and kick-start your day.
Pro Tip: Get there early! Get there early! Stationery is one of the most popular places to eat breakfast (or brunch) in Carmel.
LOCATION
San Carlos Street, between 5th & 6th Avenues
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
HOURS
Every Day Breakfast & Brunch 8am – 3pm
Dinner Thurs-Sat 5:30 – 9pm
Walk Down Ocean Avenue
You cannot visit Carmel without meandering down Ocean Avenue, the main drag in Carmel, California. Sometimes referred to as “that famous street in Carmel”, this mile long strip has gift shops, bakeries, coffee shops, luxury goods, artisanal items, and restaurants. You can also find larger brands like Faherty and Coach.
‘Charming’ is a word that gets used a lot in travel writing, but when it comes to the architecture in Carmel, the word is fitting. The older businesses and bed and breakfasts on Ocean Avenue (and in Carmel, in general) look like little hobbit houses. (Seriously, so cute). And the newer structures have a beachy vibe.
Get Lunch at Alta Bakery & Cafe
Alta Bakery, a cafe in Monterey, has 1,000+ positive reviews on Google, and for good reason. This low-key, history-packed restaurant serves some of the best sandwiches, pizzas, and salads in Monterey. Oh, and their pastries are pretty amazing, too! Another cool fact about Alta Bakery: the history of this Monterey building dates back to 1827!
Pro Tip 1: I love eating lunch in the courtyard at Alta Bakery, but this is also a great place to stop in for a yummy sweet treat and coffee.
Pro Tip 2: Alta Bakery & Cafe opens bright and early at 7 AM for breakfast. With elevated avocado toast, quinoa bowls, smoked salmon toast, and goat cheese frittatas, you’re guaranteed to leave happy. Did I mention this restaurant serves fancy garden-inspired mimosas like pear and sage mimosas and hibiscus and mint?!
LOCATION
Alta Bakery & Cafe
502 Munras Ave
Monterey, 93940
HOURS
Sunday–Saturday, 7 AM – 4 PM
Go Antiquing at the Cannery Row Antique Mall
Do you love antiquing? Me too! One of my favorite places to search for treasures is the Cannery Row Antique Mall. With two floors of goodies, you can spend hours browsing everything from collectible kitchen wares, toys from your childhood (for 80’s babies like me, it’s both depressing and fun to realize you’re now an antique!), out-of-print books and magazines, and gorgeous stemware from days-gone-by.
The bottom line: going antiquing is one of the best things to do in Monterey!
LOCATION
471 Wave Street,
Monterey CA, 93940
HOURS
Everyday, 11 AM – 6 PM
Take in the Sunset at Carmel Beach
If you do one thing in Carmel, go to Carmel Beach, because the perfect day in Carmel, California always includes a leisurely stroll down Ocean Avenue to the beach. Try and time your walk around sunset to watch the sky turn pink and orange as the sun sets into the Pacific Ocean. When it comes to California beaches, Carmel Beach is about as idyllic as they come. You’ll find couples of all ages walking holding hand, families with children, pet parents with their pups (Carmel Beach is a dog lover’s paradise!), and solo locals or travelers taking in the serenity.
Pro Tip: As you walk down to the beach on Ocean Avenue, you’ll encounter an easy decline on the sidewalk. Just remember that that easy decline turns into an incline as you make your way back up.
LOCATION
Ocean Ave & Scenic Rd.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California 93923
Eat Dinner at Chez Noir
Chez Noir is the best restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea. I would actually go so far as to say Chez Noir is the best restaurant in the Monterey Bay area (Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Monterey, and Carmel). Here’s why:
The menu uses ingredients local to California’s Central Coast (think Spiney Lobster, Abalone, Dungeness Crab (when in season), Monterey Squid, and Quail. The cocktail program and wine list are exceptional. Have you had a pistachio margarita? Neither had I, until I went to Chez Noir. I can attest, it was lovely, and you need to try one, too. The food is sooooo well executed.
Take a look at my full review here for more info on what it’s like to dine at Carmel’s Chez Noir.
Pro Tip: It’s a splurgy, but get the Caviar Funnel Cake (made with sweet potato, creme fraiche, and buckwheat). This appetizer tastes like the fanciest, most mouthwatering potato and onion dip combo you’ve ever tried!!
LOCATION
5th Avenue between San Carlos & Dolores Streets
Carmel, CA 93921
HOURS
Monday – Thursday 5pm – 10:30pm
Friday & Saturday 5pm – 11:00pm
Visit Pop and Hiss: A Cocktail Bar in a Record Store
Record store in the front, bar in the back: Pacific Grove’s Pop and Hiss is a nostalgia-infused spot where you can browse records, hang with your friends (while listening to said records), grab cocktails, and hop in the photo booth to capture all of the fun. Opened in October 2025, it’s my new favorite spot to visit in Pacific Grove.
LOCATION
215 Forest Ave
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
HOURS
Record Store: Wednesday-Friday 4PM, Saturday Noon
Bar & Patio: Wednesday-Saturday 1PM
Tips
- Carmel, California is one of the most dog-friendly places in the entire country. If you love traveling with your pup, absolutely bring them along. It’s easy to find dog-friendly hotels and restaurants in Carmel, and walking on the beach with your pup at sunset is pure joy.
- The weather in Carmel/Monterey/Pacific Grove is finicky. One minute it’s 70 degrees with bright sunshine and the next the clouds have rolled in from the coast and you’re freezing. Bottomline: bring a light jacket or a sweater.
- Fellow pet owners, Diggity Dog in Carmel-by-the-Sea is one of the best pet stores I’ve ever been to. Stop in and grab a gift for your furry friend.
- Go on the scenic 17-mile drive through Pebble Beach, the ocean views are some of the best in California. If you’re feeling fancy, stop in at the Inn at Spanish Bay or The Lodge, Pebble Beach for cocktails right by the water.
FAQ
Where is Carmel, California?
Carmel, California is a coastal town on California’s Monterey Peninsula, about two hours south of San Francisco. Located right next to Monterey and a short 10 minute drive to Pacific Grove, Carmel is a storybook village by the sea, complete with fairytale cottages, dramatic cyrpress trees and gorgeous dog-friendly beaches.
What is there to do in Carmel, California?
There are so many things to do in Carmel, California. Stroll through the downtown village, where every shop looks like it belongs in a postcard, and stop for coffee or wine at a cozy cafe, bakery, or wine tasting room. Walk along Carmel Beach for a breathtaking morning or sunset moment. Explore art galleries, (there are so many art galleries in Carmel).
Take the scenic 17-Mile Drive and visit the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links, or hike at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, where sea otters and dramatic ocean views await.