Carmel
Top Places to Visit in Carmel
Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or locals playing tourists, check out these top attractions, which will undoubtedly create everlasting childhood memories.
1 Carmel Beach
Carmel Beach is a great beach to bring the family. The white sandy beach stretches out and is neighbor to the famous Pebble Beach Golf links. There’s plenty of places to set up for the day. Dogs are allowed to run the beach. There are also bathrooms and parking at the end of Ocean Avenue.
2 Carmel Mission Basilica
First built in 1797, Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Río Carmel is one of the most authentically restored Roman Catholic mission churches in California and is located at 3080 Rio Road in Carmel. We are preparing our Museums and the Basilica for opening to visitors at 25% capacity in the near future.
3 
Cannery Row, located in New Monterey and on the border of Pacific Grove, was the site of retired sardine factories and John Steinbeck’s novel Cannery Row. Today, the award-winning Monterey Bay Aquarium is the main attraction, with its impressive exhibitions of marine life, ocean conservation efforts, and educational programs. Unfortunately, Monterey Bay Aquarium is temporarily closed due to Covid. Still, a trip down Cannery Row itself is a day well spent with many restaurants, shops, hotels, bike rentals, historical attractions, and the scenic beauty of Monterey Bay.
4 The Old Fisherman’s Wharf 
located off of Custom House Plaza is lined with seafood restaurants, gift shops, candy stores and art galleries. Towards the end of the pier whale watching tours and fishing trips leave daily. Head upstairs to the lookout deck and you can view sea lions sunbathing.
5 Monterey State Beach is a popular beach for locals & visitors. This beach stretches along Del Monte Avenue from Monterey to Seaside. There’s plenty of room to set up a picnic for the day & enjoy flying a kite. There’s parking at Monterey’s Municipal Wharf or along Del Monte Avenue.