Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Many visitors spend one to three days in Carmel-by-the-Sea during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This town offers a number of attractions to explore, including the small town charm, the beaches, the restaurant scene, and the beautiful scenery.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is an adorable seaside town that's located on the Monterey Peninsula in California. It has a picturesque beach and a quaint town center that is filled with shops and cafes. There are also many fairytale cottages and easy access to nearby parks.
Do you have one or two days to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time to enjoy the beach and the other activities in this town. After all, The popular town of Carmel-by-the-Sea has many activities and attractions for visitors. To fully embrace Carmel-by-the-Sea, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to allocate one to three days to explore the small town, relax at the beach, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and admire the wonderful scenery. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.
How to spend a day in Carmel-by-the-Sea
When visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea, you can't miss Pebble Beach Golf Course as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this town, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Old Monterey Walking Food Tour ($164)
- Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea ($159)
- Wine Tasting Tours in a Vintage VW Bus ($139)
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very walkable city. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
A weekend for Carmel-by-the-Sea is often considered ideal, as many people spend one to three days for a beach trip to the area. This would usually give you enough time to explore the small town, relax at the beach, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and admire the wonderful scenery. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.
17-mile drive, Carmel by the Sea, California
How to spend 2 days in Carmel-by-the-Sea
With a weekend (two to three days) in Carmel-by-the-Sea, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.
The small-town atmosphere of Carmel-by-the-Sea is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. It's a seaside town that is filled with local shops and restaurants. The village center is just one square mile, and it's the perfect place to spend a few hours browsing.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Guided 2-Hour Walking Tour in Carmel by the Sea ($40)
- Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea ($159)
- Discover the real Monterey - the Original Monterey Walking Tours ($35)
Carmel-by-the-Sea is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Guided 2-Hour Walking Tour in Carmel by the Sea ($40)
- Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea ($159)
- Wildlife Safari Boat Tour in Scenic Monterey Bay Wetland ($46)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Carmel-by-the-Sea, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.