Dramatic coastal scenery, a history of famous residents (including ex-mayor Clint Eastwood), and a bohemian past define Carmel-by-the-Sea, more commonly known as Carmel. The Pacific Ocean and long white-sand beach provide the backdrop to Carmel's storybook village, where pedestrian-friendly streets are lined with art galleries, cafes, and boutiques that draw tourists in droves. Carmel vacations will most certainly revolve around the beach, but there are plenty of other activities for visitors to enjoy. Carmel Plaza offers more than 40 shops and restaurants, including designer boutiques like Louis Vuitton and Tiffany &amp Co. There are also more than 100 galleries in Carmel, featuring artists that work in mediums such as sculpture, glass, and silk. Carmel is served by Monterey Peninsula Airport.

People from all over the world visit Carmel, but long weekends are a particularly crowded time for those traveling from other areas of California. The most popular time to visit is during summer, when schools are on vacation. Spring and fall are ideal times to travel to Carmel since the weather is pleasant and there are fewer crowds. Winter is the least popular time because of cooler temperatures, but prices reflect this drop in visitation, making it an affordable time to see the city.

high season: June to August
low season: November to January
shoulder season: September to October, February to May

Weather Information

Located along the Pacific Ocean, Carmel experiences temperate weather, with an annual average high of 65 degrees and a low of 48 degrees. Fall is the warmest time, with average highs in the 70s, and winter is the coolest time, with average lows in the 40s. Fog is common during summer mornings, but clears by the afternoon.

Crowd Information

Carmel gets busy during three-day weekends and when Pebble Beach hosts major events such as the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am Golf Tournament in February and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August.

Closure Information

Most hotels, shops, and restaurants remain open year-round.

When to Save

The least expensive time to visit is midweek during the winter. Holiday weekends and major events tend to be the most expensive times to visit.

Information provided by the Carmel Chamber of Commerce