This is the second itinerary of my planned trilogy of stories dedicated to Monterey Bay area. The first one is Monterey family vacation itinerary published previously and the third is Carmel self guided walking tour. All three road trip itineraries can be used as stand-alone for a weekend getaway or can be combined into a longer vacation.
Carmel-by-the-Sea and Carmel Valley are located 13 miles from each other but could not be more different. Each has its own flair, character and charm and each one deserves your undivided attention. There are lots of things to do in Carmel Valley and equally many in its seaside counterpart. Here are some great ideas for a weekend getaway in Carmel area.
Things to do in Carmel Valley and Carmel by the Sea: Day 1
On this day we will explore Carmel-by-the-Sea. Please, note that since it is located right on the ocean it is prone to fog and cooler weather than Carmel Valley. One of my most favorite things to do in Carmel by the Sea is the 17-mile Drive. It is a scenic drive between Pacific Grove and Carmel-by-the-Sea which winds for the most part along the Pacific Coast and you can start your drive from either end. Either way you will have to pay $10.25 per car (there are toll collectors at the beginning of the drive on each side, you have to drive through them to get to the drive, so you can’t miss them).
There are 21 points of interest indicated on the official 17 mile drive map (which you can see at the link I provided above and you will also get a hard copy of it at the entrance to the drive). The majority of the vista points are along the coast. On this drive you will see beautiful vistas, cliffs, marine mammals and birds and endless ocean views. The parking is limited in some stops so you may need to calculate your timing of the drive to avoid the crowds. Weekdays will naturally be less crowded.
Another famous attraction in Carmel by the Sea is the charming Carmel Mission. If you are travelling with kids, especially 4th graders who study California missions as part of their school curriculum, it is a great educational opportunity. Carmel Mission is considered to be one of the most beautiful of all California missions. It is a very active mission with regular services and many concerts and special events organized throughout the year.
You can end your day in Carmel by the Sea at the gorgeous Carmel Beach with softest and whites sand in Central California. It is one a few places where beach bonfires are allowed in the evening.
Things to do in Carmel Valley and Carmel by the Sea: Day 2
Carmel Valley is located just 20 minutes drive from the coast but since it is protected by a mountain ridge it has warmer, sunnier weather during the day. In fact, Carmel Valley is protected by mountains on both sides so when you enter the valley you can’t help comparing it to Napa Valley. What you notice right away, wine growers noticed long time ago and therefore Carmel Valley is home to several very good wineries, which we will visit later in the day.
It is great to start your day in Carmel Valley from a nice hike. Our family absolutely loves Garland Ranch Regional Park of this purpose. The Park is located next to the Carmel Valley Road, along Carmel River. It has many different types of trails: along the river, around the meadow, up in the hills, etc. Everyone will find a hike here that suits their preferences and level of ability. It is a very picturesque and tranquil place. A Visitor Center with a small museum provides useful information about local flora and fauna.
After a good hike it is time to have some lunch with some good wine. Visiting at least one local winery is a must do thing in Carmel Valley. There are wineries in the area that allow you to bring your own picnic. Others, serve their own food. For our purposes we were looking for a family-friendly winery with food and we decided to stop by Folktale Winery.
The winery is just 3 miles up the road from the Garland Park. It is built as a castle, which is very cute. The staff at the winery greats you with a complementary glass of champagne (who wouldn’t like that?). The wine tasting is done in the courtyard among beautiful roses, sitting down, while you are waiting for food and having lunch. Kids can play corn whole game on the lawn just next to your table. The atmosphere here is very friendly and relaxed and the food is absolutely delicious – rustic Californian. The wines a pretty good too. Also, check their calendar for weekly music events and yoga among the vines.
In the afternoon, especially if you are driving back to San Francisco Bay Area or further North, I suggest stopping by another mission located just off HW 101 – Old Mission San Juan Bautista. It is less visited than the one in Carmel by the Sea but I like the air of peace and tranquility around it. There is also a nice educational museum inside devoted to life in a mission.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
Where to stay: I find that lodging around Carmel area is more expensive than in Monterey, which has more of a spectrum of hotels available for various budget. We typically stay at Hampton Inn in Monterey. Another possibility, if you are budget conscious, is Hampton Inn in Salinas. I love these hotels from Hilton family because you can get big clean rooms and a free full breakfast for a little more than $100. Also, most of Hamptons have a gym, a pool and a jacuzzi (the one in Monterey is the only exception that I know of without a pool) Another reason why I love Hilton family hotels is because you can always find great discounts, such as:
Up to 50% on Sunday nights at participating hotels – turn your weekend into mini vacation!
Save up to 20% when you book in advance.
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