12 Hours in Carmel-by-the-Sea

At just one-square-mile, Carmel-by-the-Sea is Monterey County’s smallest village, but for what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in excitement. This notoriously charming European-style town offers a plethora of activities and attractions including cozy bed and breakfasts’, art galleries, culinary delights, wine tasting rooms, performing arts venues and the famous white sands of Carmel Beach. Make the most of every hour in your day with the itinerary below.

9:30am

Start your ambitious 12-hour journey with a solid caffeine fix at one of the oldest businesses in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Carmel Bakery on Ocean Avenue offers a variety of beverages, grab-and-go snacks and baked goods like no other. Since you’re on vacation, mix things up and have dessert for breakfast: their homemade cannoli are simply divine!

10am

Time to shop! With your sugar rush in full swing it’s the perfect time to hit the charming storefronts along Carmel’s main drag, Ocean Avenue, and the surrounding side streets. Browse luxurious designer brands like Tiffany’s and Anthropologie at Carmel Plaza or take to the various specialty shops for one-of-a-kind jewelry, home goods, gifts and clothes.

Be sure to stop by a few of the many art galleries in the area. Get a slice of the overall art scene at the Carmel Art Association’s gallery on Dolores Street, where they showcase artwork from over 100 local artists. Just down the street, the Dr. Seuss Art Gallery is full of whimsical pieces that are sure to stir up nostalgic feelings from your childhood.

12pm

Immediately transport yourself to a quaint Florentine eatery and refuel at il Grillo. Tucked away on Mission and 4th Street, here you can choose your favorite type of homemade pasta accompanied by your choice of sauce - which isn’t easy with options like basil pesto, rustic Bolognese, lamb ragu and wild mushroom. Be sure to save room for their authentic Italian pastries and cookies!

1pm

Work off those carbs and take a stroll down to Carmel Beach. Take a breather and simply soak in the sights and sounds of crashing waves, dashing dogs and dolphins swimming in the surf. This iconic white-sand beach is particularly stunning at sunset, when locals and visitors alike come out to enjoy Mother Nature’s nightly show.

3pm

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right? Carmel-by-the-Sea has seen a recent boom in wine tasting rooms which is never a bad thing. Over a dozen tasting rooms are scattered throughout a one-square-mile radius, the hardest part is choosing which ones to try! Wrath Wines in Carmel Plaza offers an incredible Pinot Noir while Carmel Road, Carmel’s newest tasting room, serves up a luscious Chardonnay.

5pm

Round out your foodie experience with an early dinner reservation at Grasing's on Mission Street. Their coastal cuisine highlights the area’s exceptional local and organic bounties of produce, steak and seafood. Start off with their truffle and white cheddar popcorn, you will not regret it!

7pm

Once the sun sets, mosey on over to one of the local theatres for a taste of the performing arts scene. The architecturally stunning Sunset Center regularly plays host to world-class performances and live events including global music, comedy, rock shows, theatre, and dance. Looking for a more intimate venue? Watch the local talent in a rendition of a popular musical or play at the Golden Bough Playhouse.

8:30pm

Cap off your night under the stars at the Rooftop Lounge at Vesuvio. Take a seat by one of the fire pits and try one of Chef Pepe’s limoncello cocktails.

9:30pm

Wind down your busy day at a friendly inn or charismatic bed and breakfast. There’s a room and theme for just about any taste and budget: experience the genuine hospitality at Hofsas House, historic highlights at Pine Inn, stunning ocean views at La Playa, or high-end luxury at L’Auberge.

Folktale Winery & Vineyards- A Hip Hangout In the Vines

If you are looking for a true vine to wine experience, then the new and hip Folktale Winery & Vineyards is a can’t miss stop on your tasting journey through Monterey County.

The sprawling 15 acre property is just a few miles from Carmel-by-the-Sea, along Carmel Valley Road, in a majestic white Chateau that looks like it’s straight out of France's Loire Valley.

The colorful rose laden entrance welcomes you into this grown-up fantasyland. From the parking lot, a winding path leads between fragrant flowers and stately trees to the expansive outdoor courtyard. This isn't just a wine tasting; it's a wine experience.


The Experience
If you happen to like stuffy and haughty wine tasting environments, then this place is not for you. Folktale prides itself on creating a friendly vibe and kick-back surroundings, inviting guests to let their hair down and “hangout” in their absolutely gorgeous setting.

The wine tasting menu generally starts with a sparkling brut and features a mix of whites and reds for $20 per person. Head winemaker David Baird has done a fantastic job with Folktale’s line-up including a Chardonnay, Rosé and Pinot Noir. The Chardonnay is a standout with hints of vanilla and butterscotch.


What’s wine without cheese and charcuterie? Folktale sources fantastic small bites from local, sustainable vendors including The Cheese Shop, Salumeria Luca, Lafayette Bakery and Monterey Meringues. In my opinion, their stellar cheese board pairs perfectly with any wine tasting.

The best part is that guests are encouraged to take their appetizers and aperitifs out of the tasting room and on to their expansive seating areas; might I suggest their sprawling garden courtyard?



Tours & Entertainment
Learn about the wine making process, stroll through bountiful vineyards, taste grapes directly from the vine and view the exclusive barrel and cellar rooms on a Folktale Wine Tour. 45-minute tours are $15 per person and are available by request.

Folktale also features great local musicians every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In additions, they host events like movie nights, concerts, and special dinners set in the vineyard. Click here to view the complete events calendar.



An Event Venue Like None Other
Have a special event coming up? Folktale Winery & Vineyards has a nook and cranny to suite any party size and celebration. Whether you opt for the romantic garden courtyard, awe-inspiring barrel room, or whimsical vineyards you are sure to have your guests leaving with a lasting impression.


Folktale Winery & Vineyards is open daily from 11am-8pm.

Carmel Belle Puts Posh Twist on Fast-Casual Dining

Carmel-by-the-Sea has all sorts of tucked-away courtyards and unexpected gems and there is no better example of this than Carmel Belle. The cafeteria-esqe restaurant sits in an unassuming building just down from Ocean Avenue. Their humble sign, just outside of the Doud Craft Studios Complex, deceives the beautiful setting (and food) just inside.

Crafty chalkboards, country décor and a farm fresh menu all give reassurance you’re in the right place. The space is spotless with modern touches like stainless steel seating and an amazing indoor fire pit; perfect for those cool Carmel mornings (or evenings)!

Carmel Belle is unique in comparison to other Carmel-by-the-Sea eateries with an open floorplan, casual seating arrangement, and no waiters. Guests order at the front counter for speedy service and then can chill out in either of their dining spaces; might I suggest by the fire pit? You can even get your grub to go for a picnic on the beach!


Carmel Belle’s tagline is “Good Food” - simple, to the point and, most importantly, 100% true. Their breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are truly a work of art with uncomplicated and honest ingredients. They pride themselves on sourcing sustainable, high-quality products from small local farms for the freshest experience possible.

Breakfast is Carmel Belle’s specialty and is unlike any other joint in town. One of their most popular items is the avocado toast. Sounds simple enough right? The thick artisan toast, finely sliced avocado, olive oil drizzle and cracked sea salt is a magical combination that will have you putting down the Smucker’s jar in no time.

Another rare breakfast commodity on the menu is the hot polenta bowl. Skip your typical morning oatmeal and go for the gooey, comforting, yet decadent cornmeal which can be spruced up with savory additions like truffled mushrooms, roasted tomatoes and poached eggs; how’s that for diverse?

The lunch and dinner menus offer equally appeasing items like the slow-cooked Berkshire pork sandwich and grass-fed Angus beef & veal meatloaf.

If you’re in-between meals, the juice bar is a sure way to quench your thirst and those mid-day munchies. Try the Omega-Tron for all of your nutritional needs complete with avocado, pear, pineapple, orange, chia seeds and dates.


The best way to start any meal for that matter is with their Snack Board. This ingenious carte de jour allows you to mix and match from a selection of flavorful cheeses and cured charcuteries, yum!

Carmel Belle is open Monday and Tuesday from 8am-5pm and Wednesday through Sunday from 8am-9pm. Don’t miss their weekly special events like “Game Night Wednesday” and “Farmer’s Market Fridays”.

The White Hart: Time to (Tea) Party in Pacific Grove

Nicknamed "America's Last Hometown," Pacific Grove is known for Asilomar State Beach, the annual migration of the Monarch butterflies and its array of unique and colorful Victorian homes; the city is actually home to more Victorian ladies per capita than anywhere else in the world. With its rich heritage it only seemed natural for Victorian homeowners Jim and Kathy Turley to turn their classic English mansion into an authentic Victorian-era tea room.

“The White Hart” has been a landmark on Lighthouse Avenue for the past 120 years. Dr. Andrew J. Hart built the home in 1893 and it was passed down for three generations. In the last few decades of the 19th century home has been a variety of restaurants, an art gallery, and now a classic tea house.

The grandiose three-story mansion sits high and mighty on the corner of Lighthouse Avenue and 19th Street. The interior is just as breathtaking, the décor is mainly original including the custom stain-glass window above the door reading “Dr. Hart” dating all the way back to when the house was built.

The charm continues throughout the ground floor of the house where the main tea room features colorful stain-glassed windows, crystal chandeliers and imported patterned wallpaper. Picture frames from its yesteryear show photos from the Hart family as well as watercolor paintings of the home’s facade which add a touch of personality to the old-world design.


The White Hart’s afternoon tea is as authentic as it gets. Served every other weekend from 12pm-4pm, guests can enjoy much more than just a pot of tea. The typical Victorian “tea” is more like a lunch with an array of made-from-scratch sandwiches, scones and desserts all accompanied by specialty teas, of course.

The loose leaf tea selection is extensive including lemon mint herbal tea, gunpowder green tea, ginger orange peach and many more.

Teas also come with a plethora of tasty treats on a three-tiered tray loaded with sandwiches, freshly baked scones and delightful sweets. The key here is to start at the bottom and work your way up.

The lower-tier comes with a variety of petite sandwiches. The smoked salmon on pastry puff and English cucumber sandwich are particularly tasty!

In the middle you’ll find a bounty of freshly baked scones. These tend to go fast with the organic clotted cream and Meyer lemon curd, all made in-house.

Last but not least, the top tray is reserved for dessert. Chocolate-dipped strawberries and bite size desserts are the perfect way to end an incredible afternoon of elegance. Don’t skip the chocolate truffle cream marquise, truly decadent!

All of this tea talk have you intimidated? Don’t be! Proprietors Jim and Kathy are happy to walk you through the process without all of the attitude. The menu also includes champagne, wine and beer to further ease you into the process.

Afternoon tea is $25 per person and includes your choice of tea and a selection of treats. A lighter “Cream Tea” and “Teddy Bear Tea” are also available. Click here to view the schedule of tea times.

Have a special occasion coming up? Live like a king or queen and have your next event at The White Hart. It’s the perfect location for meetings, parties, receptions, or just a proper afternoon tea with a group of friends.