The Best Small Town In California For A 3-Day Weekend
Californians could easily spend a lifetime exploring their state and still not see it all. After all, the state is bigger than countries like Japan, Italy, and Germany. As a result, the possibilities for a long weekend getaway are practically endless. Among all of the incredible places to explore in California, Carmel-by-the-Sea stands out as a top contender for a weekend trip. In addition to its beautiful beaches, it offers highlights like an 18th-century mission, 20th-century stone cottages, and a biodiverse nature reserve to explore. Its inns provide the perfect refuge for a weekend of rest, varying from historic to modern and chic. Don't be surprised if you find yourself packing your bags by the end of the article!
Ocean Avenue
Ocean Avenue lies in the heart of Carmel, connecting Highway One down to Carmel Beach. All kinds of cozy restaurants and shops line this street, meaning that you should definitely plan a morning exploring it. Travelers can fuel up for the day at Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co.. This beloved coffee shop serves espresso, drip coffee, cold brew, and pourover, along with other beverages such as tea, hot chocolate, and Italian sodas. After, do some shopping at local spots like the Cottage of Sweets, a candy shop that has been operating since 1959, serving traditional British-style sweets.
For lunch, you have several options as well. Right off Ocean Avenue, on Dolores Street, you’ll find The Tuck Box, a local cafe that is housed in a fairytale-like cottage that dates back to 1927. Dishes on the lunch menu include casual items like sandwiches, salads, scones, and homemade pies. For an elegant lunch, consider dining at Porta Bella Restaurant, an Italian establishment that serves a variety of dishes, including risotto, ravioli, and carbonara.
Beaches & Natural Reserves
Once you finish your stroll along Ocean Avenue, you’ll end up right at Carmel Beach. This beach is easily one of the most iconic spots in Central California, boasting white sands and cerulean blue waters. The beach is also known for allowing beach fires, making it a great spot to hang out in the evenings, even when the weather gets a bit chilly. If you are up for a little hike, consider taking a stroll along the Scenic Pathway that runs parallel to the beach along a bluff, accessible from Scenic Road between 8th Avenue and Martin Way.
Just a few minutes south of town, travelers can also reach the beautiful Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. A network of hiking trails meanders along the shoreline and through headlands and rolling meadows, with some leading to hidden coves. The offshore area is an equally important part of the park, home to species like sea lions, sea otters, seals, and thousands of seabirds. Between December and May, you might even be able to spot some migrating gray whales off the coast! Scuba diving and snorkeling are popular as well, with 70-foot-high kelp forests hiding beneath the surface.
Historic Landmarks
Although Carmel-by-the-Sea was not officially established as a town until the early 20th century, its history actually dates back to the 1770s, when Saint Junípero Serra founded the Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo. This mission, often referred to simply as the Carmel Mission, remains standing today, allowing travelers to tour it themselves. The mission’s architecture is one of the most authentically restored in the state, carefully renovated in the 1990s. A general visit to the mission includes a self-guided tour that passes through the Basilica, the museum, and the grounds.
Literature fanatics are also in for a treat in Carmel, which is home to the Tor House, the home of California poet Robinson Jeffers. This beautiful stone cottage dates back to 1918, with Jeffers using granite boulders from the shores of Carmel Bay to construct the home. Modeled after an English Tudor barn, the home features a living room, kitchen, bathroom, two attic bedrooms, and a main-floor guest room. In 2024, it officially became a National Historic Landmark and is open for indoor tours on Saturdays.
Cozy Inns
Your peaceful weekend is about to get even better when you check into one of Carmel’s adorable inns. Just a few blocks from the sea lies the Carmel Green Lantern Inn, which has been warmly welcoming guests since 1927. This boutique inn features 17 rooms, divided among six cottages, each with its own unique details. If you are celebrating something special over the weekend, the inn also offers romantic getaways and birthday packages!
Travelers seeking an exceptionally luxurious experience will also appreciate staying at Villa Mara Carmel, a new 16-room luxury boutique hotel located just a short walk from the beach. Amenities in this hotel are ample, including a front and back yard with fire pits, seating vignettes, and over 400 plants. The on-site bar serves breakfast pastries, quiche, and coffee in the morning, then transforms into a full bar in the evening, offering cocktails, wine, and beer.
If you have been itching for a long weekend getaway, Carmel-by-the-Sea is one of the best destinations in California you could ask for. Warm and sunny days here call for beach lounging, hiking, and scuba diving, while cooler ones can still be just as entertaining, featuring coffee runs, candy shop stops, and building a cozy beach fire. Just be warned that you won’t ever want the weekend to come to an end!
