Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A small coastal village of storybook cottages, galleries and lanes lined with cypress, ending at a white-sand beach. Park once and walk, since street parking is limited and the centre is compact.
Carmel's origins lie in Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, which Junípero Serra moved here from Monterey in 1770. A summer colony took shape from 1888, and after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake artists and writers moved in. Carmel became an independent city in 1916. The builder Michael J. Murphy put up nearly 350 buildings between 1902 and 1940, and you will find Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival and Storybook houses around town.
The town has about 3,200 residents and covers only about 1 square mile (2.7 km²), so it is easy to explore on foot. Strict rules ban chain restaurants and commercial activity on the beach, and residential areas have neither sidewalks nor streetlights. Houses have also had no street numbers so far; an address system has been approved but is not yet in force (as of October 2026). Park once and walk to the white-sand beach. Half a day is a good amount of time for the old town and the beach.
- Nearest town
- Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 36.5552, -121.9233
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Montery Pines RV CampgroundMotorhome stopover4 mi from Carmel-by-the-Sea · 37 pitchesMotorhomes
- Monterey Fairgrounds RV ParkMotorhome stopover4 mi from Carmel-by-the-SeaMotorhomes
- Marina Dunes RV ParkMotorhome stopover12 mi from Carmel-by-the-SeaMotorhomes
- Big Sur Campground & CabinsCampsite21 mi from Carmel-by-the-Sea · 100 pitchesTentsCaravansWaste disposal
- Riverside Campground & CabinsCampsite21 mi from Carmel-by-the-SeaTentsCaravans
- Ventana CampgroundCampsite24 mi from Carmel-by-the-SeaTents
All campsites in California · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Carmel-by-the-Sea is in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, at GPS 36.5552, -121.9233. It is about 3 mi from Monterey.
Can you camp near Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Hiker-Biker Campsite - Monterey Veteran's Park, about 3 mi away; within 25 mi there are 63 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Places worth a stop nearby: Monterey Bay Aquarium (5 mi), Bixby Creek Bridge (13 mi), Natural Bridges State Beach (28 mi) and McWay Falls (31 mi).
When is the best time to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea?
The most pleasant months are usually April–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)