Carmel-by-the-Sea with Lexus
Last month, we drove up the coast for a quick weekend trip to celebrate our friends getting married in Carmel. We’ve stopped in Carmel-by-The-Sea before on our way to Big Sur but had never stayed overnight. As you may already know, we love a roadtrip and staycation! We were in the process of getting ready for our extended fall travel away from home and my car happened to be in the shop – thankfully, Lexus was able to save the day. More on this below, along with my guide to Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Driving the Lexus NX 350 F Sport
As mentioned above, Lexus was kind enough to partner with us again for the weekend. This time, we tested a crossover SUV (NX 350 F Sport) and it made for such a fun and smooth ride up the coast. We drove 5+ hours each way between Carmel and LA and were comfortable the entire trip. We were honestly impressed with the safety features and overall experience with the car. It’s also the perfect size for us and the stage we are in right now – it felt roomy and spacious (I have a tendency to overpack or leave a lot of stuff in my car) but not too bulky to navigate and drive.
Carmel-by-The-Sea Guide with Lexus
Where to Stay
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very small, walkable town. You won’t find big chain resorts in the main town, but rather lots of cozy bed & breakfast inns. We stayed at The Hideaway on a recommendation from our friend who is local, and really appreciated the recently renovated, more modern rooms (that are also dog friendly!). Our room didn’t have air conditioning and California was in the midst of a heat wave, but generally the weather in Carmel is temperate enough that you won’t need air conditioning. When we asked the front desk, they mentioned most places in town won’t have air conditioning.
If you’re looking for a bigger resort or luxury experience, nearby Big Sur has the incredible resorts Ventana and Post Ranch Inn (we loved our stay at Ventana!). For this trip, we really loved the intimate atmosphere close to the water in Carmel.
What to Do
If you’re familiar at all with the Coastal Grandmother trend, Carmel-by-the-Sea is one of the ULTIMATE Coastal Grandmother towns. You really want to slow down and fully embrace the lifestyle. We were fairly busy with wedding festivities, but here is what my ideal day in Carmel looks like:
Wake up and get coffee and pastries from Rise + Roam.
Walk to the beach with your coffee – or go for a run!
Have brunch at Stationaery.
Go shopping in town, visit art galleries, or do a wine tasting in town (we loved Caraccioli – they do a fab sparkling flight).
Have dinner at La Bicyclette – our favorite!
If you have an extra day or two, be sure to hop in the car and drive to Big Sur for a hike, or visit the Monterey Aquarium. There’s also tons of hiking and beautiful beaches near Carmel if you prefer to stay in the area.
Have you ever been to Carmel-by-the-Sea?
