Carmel-by-the-Sea Family Vacation Guide
Known for being a mecca for writers, playwrights, and artists, you’ll find your family trip plan in Carmel-by-the-Sea can include a wide variety of exhilarating family fun. With beaches untouched by development and homes are known by name — not address — this quaint town has a mystique and cultural appeal your whole family will enjoy.
When looking for places to stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea, start with the Colonial Terrace. It’s the closest to the beach at only 72 steps away! Another comfortable place to lay your head is the Carmel Forest Lodge. This Bed ‘n Breakfast is family-friendly with full kitchens, fireplaces and is close to attractions like Big Sur and Pebble Beach. Close to the lodge is the Forest Theater Guild, an outdoor theater in a beautiful forest setting. If you want your Carmel-by-the-Sea family vacation to come with a history lesson, consider the Pine Inn. It originally opened in 1903 and after a major renovation in 1941, this history-filled hotel offers 12 stores, rooftop garden dining areas, and all with a Victorian and French flair. One last hotel to add to your itinerary is Lobos Lodge. This kid-friendly hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea sits in the heart of town, walking distance to most everything. They offer afternoon cookies and coffee, continental breakfasts, and fully stocked suites with dining rooms, wet bars, and balcony views.
Should your tummies begin to rumble, there are plenty of tasty places to eat in Carmel-by-the-Sea. A great example of a restaurant recommended by locals is the famous Katy’s Place, also called “Carmel’s Breakfast Tradition”®. In business since 1982, its fun, it’s homey and the residents say the food is fantastic. With a name, like that, how can it not be great? When lunchtime rolls around, head over to 400-degree Gourmet Burgers and Fries named after their custom-made cast iron griddle created by the Montague Company, which opened in 1857 and is one of the oldest on record. If you want the best way to sample local cuisine then take Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Downtown Food Tour. It’s a walking tour so bring comfortable shoes. One last place the kids should enjoy is r.g. Burgers. It has the “Bite my Burger” seal of approval and its simple menu has something for every member of your family.
Now you have a place to stay and plenty to eat, so it’s time for some fun with the many Carmel-by-the-Sea activities which won’t disappoint. For a sweet beginning, stroll over to the Cottage of Sweets. This candy lover’s paradise has fudge, local chocolates, and over 50 kinds of licorice. Right next door is Carmel Valley Village. Complete with cobblestone streets and a number of unique shops, you’ll feel like you stepped into an old English village. It’s located on the Carmel River where you and the family can fish, swim and relax. The Carmel Valley Ranch Resort — with private docks, fireplaces, and 500 acres of gardens and woodland areas — is only a few miles away.
Top Family Attractions in Carmel-by-the-Sea
As you, build your Carmel-by-the-Sea family vacation, take a look at these attractions for helpful hints to create a trip full of fun and memories. Here are a few family-friendly reasons to consider Carmel as your vacation destination in California.
Point Lobos State Reserve
A must-see family attraction in Carmel-by-the-Sea area is Point Lobos State Reserve. Come and watch the sea lions and the other marine life in its natural habitat. It’s a great Carmel-by-the-Sea activity to bring bikes, stay for a picnic and bring the camera to catch some of the breathtaking views.
Just south of Carmel is Point Lobos State Reserve, a pristine area featuring dramatic granite cliffs, unusual rock formations created by the erosion, headlands, and caves, and rock-enclosed ponds that continually re-form. Rangers are available to help families map their visit. Hiking trails offer views over the headlands, ocean, and meadows. Families may see otters, seals, sea lions during their walks, and whales have been spotted during the winter months.
Point Lobos State Reserve also includes a large section of the underwater area, popular with scuba divers. At Whalers Cove, there is an old cabin that has been turned into a cultural history museum. The stretch is almost six miles from the entrance point which might take three to five hours to complete by walking. Those with less time may enjoy walking along the Cypress Grove Trail (which features many Monterey cypresses) and the North Shore Trail. Visitors are welcome to picnic or ride their bike and there are plenty of places to take photos. It’s a favorite spot for artists who paint the scenery in the area.
Seventeen Mile Drive
The popular 17-Mile Drive is a private scenic route that serves as a showcase of the Northern Californian coastline and native wildlife. The famous coastal landmark runs through Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach, from the Pacific coastline to the Del Monte Forest. Among the drive’s noteworthy spots is the Lone Cypress — one of California’s best-known landmarks — Spanish Bay, Cypress Point Lookout, and Carmel Bay.
Visitors can check out the fairways of The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill, and the world-renowned Pebble Beach Golf Links. There is an entrance fee to drive the route. Drivers should be sure to follow the red lines in the middle of the road to easily follow the route. There are several great local dining options and locations for awe-inspiring photos to be taken.
Carmel River State Beach
Carmel River State Beach is a 297-acre state park featuring one mile long protected beach with a lagoon formed by the Carmel River. It arises high on the eastern slopes of the Santa Lucia Mountains and empties into the sea just south of Carmel. Many people bring binoculars to better view the many birds. At the north end of Carmel River State Beach is a brackish lagoon where shorebirds feed. Even the most casual bird-watcher will enjoy seeing the waterfowl at the Carmel River Lagoon and Wetlands Natural Reserve. Ducks, mallards, and coots are regulars along the lagoon. Egrets and herons stand among the reeds while hawks hover overhead. Visitors will enjoy a walk that explores the river mouth, then travels the length of Carmel River State Beach to a point just north of Point Lobos named Monastery Beach, for the Carmelito Monastery located just across Highway 1 from the shore. While Carmel River State Beach is a popular spot for divers and kayakers, swimming is considered extremely dangerous because of the strong currents.
Point Sur Lighthouse
A California State Historic Park landmark, kid-friendly Point Sur Lighthouse is one of Big Sur’s many family-friendly attractions. It sits on top of a 361-foot-tall volcanic rock that juts out into the Pacific and has continually been a beacon for passing ships since its establishment in 1889. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
While still in operation, this landmark that is on the National Register of Historic Places may Pt. Sur lighthouse and its supporting light station buildings, now a California State Historic Park, stand atop a dramatic volcanic rock just off-shore in Big Sur, California. This historic aid-to-navigation has a modern aero-beacon which still guides ships along the treacherous Central California Coast. On the National Register of Historic Places and a California landmark, Pt. Sur can be visited by guided walking tours year-round.
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Sometimes called “mini Yosemite” by its visitors, this park features natural diversity, towering redwoods and ocean views. It offers many miles of kid-friendly Big Sur hiking trails and the Big Sur River, a nice place to swim.
Pfeiffer Beach
This beach features wide sandy beaches, an arch rock, and sometimes purple sand, which washes down from the rocks above. It might be a little hard to find for people who haven’t been here before so do your research before you go.
Partington Cove
A short hike takes you through a tree-lined canyon and through a tunnel before you end up in Partington Cove. In the 1880s, this family-friendly cove was used by John Partington as a place to transport tanwood. Today, it’s now known for its beautiful and picturesque views.
Limekiln State Park
Located on the Big Sur coast, this park contains four lime kilns from a lime smelting operation in the late 1800s. Today, it boasts a beach, redwood forest and the 100-foot Limekiln Falls. The park has three trails, all of which are kid-friendly.
Limekiln Falls
The rugged Limekiln Falls, located in Limekiln State Park in Big Sur, is accessible through a 2.6 mile round trip trail that leads to the historic lime kilns and ends at the 100-foot waterfall.
McWay Falls
The 80-foot tall McWay Falls, like Bixby Creek Bridge, is one of Big Sur’s most iconic sights as well as one of its most photographed. Nestled in McWay Cove in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, what makes it so special is that it’s one of the only two falls in the region that falls directly into the ocean.