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City of Carmel by the Sea
Rating Details »
Category: Landmarks & Historical Buildings
City HallMonte Verde between Ocean and 7th
Carmel, CA 93921
(831) 620-2000
15 reviews for City of Carmel by the Sea
this place is a little upscale for me, i'm a pretty downscale kinda gal. but i shouldn't hold that against them. This is a very quaint, very pretty, low-key, expensive, tree-filled coastal city. there are less than 5000 residents, and i'm willing to bet a large percentage of them just have houses here for vacation. i haven't done much shopping, since i'm cheap, but there are a ton of little boutiques and small, expensive restaurants. when we stayed in pacific grove, the lady at the hotel recommended that if we eat at any place here, that we dress up.
too bad that i don't really care to dress up, and i am the opposite of romantic, or this city would get 5 stars. When i'm older, it might even grow on me more.
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No power in society, no hardship in your condition can depress you, keep you down, in knowledge, power, virtue, influence, but by your own consent.
William Ellery Channing
Today, I decided to do a review on a place that my dog, Ell, likes to frequent. His name is actually Ellery, I named him after Henry David Thoreau's best friend, Ellery Channing. Channing was considered a wretched failure in his lifetime because he couldn't duplicate the success that his father and uncles achieved studying and teaching medicine at Harvard Medical School. Looking at Channing's life, however, I don't think of him as being a failure at all - I think of his life as a great symphony.
My buddy, Ell, is a light-colored golden retriever. I found him in Acton, Massachusetts, which is next to Concord. Here's his picture, check him out.
http://static.px.yelp....
He's really cute. Women knock me over to get to him.
He likes places where he can meet people and other dogs or run free and run wild. I think his favorite place to visit in our area is downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. We run into a lot of friendly people and their dogs there. We've got this walking routine we do that he loves.
From up near Highway One, I walk him all the way down Ocean Avenue. We pass Devendorf Park, Mission Street, Napoli Napoli Coffee Shop, Coach's, San Carlos Street, the Carmel Drug Store, to Dolores Street where we turn right and walk north on the east side of the street. We walk past the Karges Gallery, cross 6th Street, walk pass the Village Corner and Em Lee's Restaurants, the Pilgrim's Way Bookstore to the post office where I'll tie-up my buddy out front and go in to check my mail.
When I come out of the post office, he's usually making a friend, or waiting for me with this huge smile on his face like I'm the best thing since dim sum.
We'll usually walk home via 7th, San Carlos, and Dolores Streets, passing Clint's Hog's Breath Inn, the Simic Gallery, Graslings Restaurant, the fire station, and Bruno's Market on our way back.
There are lots of dog friendly places in Carmel, besides the beaches where you can take your dog. You can bring your dog and eat lunch at the Village Corner, Porta Bella, or Jack London's as long as you're sitting outside on the patio and your dog is fairly obedient.
The Cypress Inn is the ultimate dog friendly destination as it's owned by Doris Day, who's a devout animal lover.
Man's best friend:
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To live content with small means.
To seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion.
To be worthy not respectable,
and wealthy not rich.
To study hard, think quietly, talk gently,
act frankly, to listen to stars, birds, babes,
and sages with open heart, to bear all cheerfully,
do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never.
In a word, to let the spiritual,
unbidden and unconscious,
grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony
Ellery Channing
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Carmel is like a closer Hawaii for me. When my brain gets to spinnin' around and my feet get itchy for travel, about once a month, I start my car and head for the Monterey Peninsula. Living on the south end of San Jose is bad for driving myself up to Stanford or S.F. but going south it is great because I can get there in about 1 hour if I drive pretty fast. Unfortunately, my right foot is made of lead, so I often must rely on cruise control to keep me out of the pokey.
And as soon as you can say, quick vacation, I'm past the sand dunes and into the quaint little village of art galleries, ice cream shops, expensive clothiers, postcard stores and doggie bowls.
I just love to park the car behind the Pine Inn and walk all the way up the hill to the end of the block by Cartier's and then switch to the other side and walk all the way down to the beautiful white sand beach. Stopping to look, eat, talk, and once in a while, sit.
Carmel has one of the greatest beaches you will ever see in your life. White, warm, clean and the water is the most amazing shade of every kind of blue you can imagine. There is simply nothing like it anywhere in the world. Walking Carmel Beach is one of the greatest experiences I can have, plus everytime I have ever been here it has been sunny. I guess I live under a lucky star, and I do.
You start off walking down a huge sand dune of quartz that makes you feel awesome as the fresh wind fills your lungs, then you can pet all of the dogs with happy, wagging tails as you attempt to fully experience every sensation possible; eyes, ears, nose, legs, arms, skin, brain, feet. Total stimulation.
When I was young, I loved this sand so much I took a jar home with me so I would always have it. That's is why I love beaches so much because of my parents always taking me to Santa Cruz, Aptos, HMB and the MP. They are like heroin to a junkie and need my fix every now and then. Thanks 'rents for raising and hooking me, I blame you...
Carmel is perfect for a day trip or a overnighter. Go! Observe! Live! An unmatched romantic spot for any one so inclined too, so get your S.O. and head for this neck of the woods ASAP for some serious heart connections or reconnections.
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Starfish, Love Boat, Casablanca... are a few of the many words that float about in my mind when I think - Carmel By The Sea. Maybe that is because several of the heavenly beach cottages (that serve as a second or third home to most) have similar names.
Lovely quaint little town with the prettiest white sandy beach ever.
The day I can afford a house on Scenic Drive is the day I will give it 5 stars.
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When I was little I hated this place. When I was going through my super leftist social justice phase in college I extremely hated this place with a passion. Now that I have evened out... it a beautiful little town. It is expensive, but has its own charm. I love being able to walk into small shops and the hundreds of art galleries. Some of my favorite restaurants are within walking distance of Dad's house. Neighbors pretty much keep to themselves but are polite..... although parking is crazy you can always find "your spot." Learn to parallel park.
My family moved down there about six years ago and did much better. The sibling was doing better in school, the parents were much happier not dealing with the pressures and snobbery of the Silicon Valley and it seemed like things were on the up. Mom found a writing group and was able to do what she loved-- gossip, people watch and write short stories. Mom's spirit and happiness will always echo here.. I can't believe its almost been a year since she died.
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Carmel-by-the-Sea is an orgasm of quaint.
You will find a ton of variety when it comes to accommodations. I prefer bed and breakfasts, although the next time I visit, I intend to stay at the Cypress Inn, which is (was?) owned by Doris Day, is gorgeously decorated, dog friendly, and has a fantastic bar.
Nightlife in Carmel is what you'd expect for a sleepy little town that caters to couples on romantic holidays. The only real bar bar we could find is Sadie's. You will always see a handful of the same regulars, year in, year out, which is kind of fun, but only for a second. As I said before, the bar at the Cypress Inn is so neat! It's got a great Moroccan design aspect that is unexpected and done really well. You may dog-watch, as well as people-watch!
Spending the day going from gallery to gallery is relaxing. Aside from the THREE Thomas Kinkade galleries in town, the galleries really do a fine job at bringing in great artists, and they're very friendly and not snobby.
When I have unlimited resources, I will certainly make several trips to the home and garden stores in Carmel. There are so many little alleys that have gorgeous stores hidden in them, and you'll leave with so much inspiration for your own home design.
For clothing, Girl Boy Girl is fun to browse, and I've spotted them pushing a few trends that are a couple of months ahead of anywhere else. They range from casual and affordable to splurgy and where-would-I-ever-wear-this? GBG also owns a shoe store and another clothing store called Paloosh. While all three are definitely cool places to shop, they more than make up for the attitude that is lacking at the art galleries in town. I get the feeling that this is the staff infection the owners are going for.
The beach at the end of Ocean Avenue is beautiful, and wandering amongst the mini estates scattered everywhere is the perfect after dinner walk during the summer.
I can't say that guys will love this place as much as women, but if you want to explore the rest of the Monterey area during the day, and end up in a safe, easily walkable and beautiful place where you can wind down at night, look no further than Carmel-by-the-Sea.
I'm a fan of this place and play tourist at least once a year (it's an hour south of my home in San Jose). What draws you here?
--Picturesque coastal town to wander to your heart's content
--Mixture of great art galleries, candle shops, restaurants, exorbitantly priced clothing, and little alleyways worth exploring
--Stunning white-sand beach at the end of town
--People watching galore
If I could redo anything, I'd make Ocean Avenue a strolling avenue only and force all driving and parking to the perimeters of town. That would make it all the more alluring. For most, another attraction is that it's a dog-friendly town. They let dogs in just about every shop and restaurant. For me, that's a deterrent since I'm allergic.
Definitely a place to meander with a date or with out-of-town friends/relatives. Take Highway 1 and turn right on Ocean Avenue and head toward the beach. The town branches off of the main strip of Ocean Avenue and the beach is at the end of Ocean Ave. This is Carmel-by-the-Sea.
MY HOMETOWN! I didn't grow up here, but I was born here and I love it.
A bit too many bad art houses, a bit sheeeee-sheeeee (how do you spell that?)
I think they have a crazy shirts there... should be minus one.
However, one of the most dog friendly places in the world. Hell they built a $10K fountain to act as a dog water bowl.
I love this place... it is like a fairy land with all the storybook looking roofs.
And this was the last place of my favourite artist ever.. at least the last gallery. Eyvind Earle. I miss that cat.
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I love Carmel.
- It has my favorite beach in the world.
- I can wonder around the art galleries for hours.
- There is great food of all varieties.
- Lots of cute shops, even if I can't afford most of them.
People are typically nice, and posers make for great people watching.
If I ever move out of California, this is the place I will miss the most.
I was lucky to go here with 2 people I know and had a wonderful time.
Everything is beauitful and I adored the little shops they had.Many places to explore too.
People were nice and I stayed at a kick ass place.
Nice place.
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City of Carmel is beautiful, breathtaking and picturesque. It's worth visiting as local or when bringing out-of-towners. Definitely do the 17 mile drive in Pebble Beach, Monterey and then ending up in Carmel.
Simply stroll along the cute lil souvenir stores or take in the ocean front and seabreeze, it's a fun day out there, nonetheless.
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Oh, hello! Gee, err, um, I'm sorry for carrying a Tod's shoulder tote from LAST SEASON, for wearing converse sneakers, and otherwise not being appropriately dre$$ed, but I'm here with my middle-class family, we thought this was a cute little resort town -- which indeed it is -- and, hey, since we're all short Japos we can fit into the little storefronts and low-lying buildings along Ocean Avenue that look like Keebler Elf fuckpads aka Smurf whorehouses, you know OUR KIND will do anything for a great photo opportunity. Little did WE know that you snobs are trying to style yourselves as the Beverly Hills of the North, only with less boob jobs and vagina-plasties and more golf. So sorry. I'll crawl back to Sodom-On-The-Bay San Francisco where I may not have Alain Pinel on every block but, fuck, I DO have dirty little liquor stores and pot clubs and, besides, last I checked that bitch Pinel hogs the bong and doesn't sell 40s.
Four stars for the beautiful shoreline. I'm a sucker for a sweet beach.
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We stopped by this city and it's truly very beautiful - the flowers and lawns are well-manicured and every shop is just so cute. It's a great place to stop by to go window shopping (the shops are either ridiculously expensive, sell weird doodads that you'd never need, or there are shops like Banana Republic and Coach), or a good place to get a quick meal. It was pleasant pit stop for a cup of coffee and cookie. I'll probably spend a bit more time here next time with my Mom, since she really dug all the flowers and beautiful shops.
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The friendly folks at City hall really do their best to address the needs and concerns of the demanding citizens of the City of Carmel. I've stop in numerous times and have always had my questions answered by a smiling city employee. Sometimes the citizens can be very demanding but they show great effort to complete any "reasonable" request you may have.
nice lil shops w/ a nice beach view reminds me of old town pasadena w/o the beach lol
