Carmel-by-the-Sea, often called simply Carmel, is a small city in Monterey County, California, founded in 1902. Situated on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel is known for its natural scenery and rich artistic history. In 1906, the San Francisco Call devoted a full page to the “artists, poets and writers of Carmel-by-the-Sea”, and in 1910 it reported that 60 percent of Carmel’s houses were built by citizens who were “devoting their lives to work connected to the aesthetic arts.” Early City Councils were dominated by artists, and the city has had several mayors who were poets or actors, including Herbert Heron, founder of the Forest Theater, bohemian writer and actor Perry Newberry, and actor-director Clint Eastwood, who was mayor for one term, from 1986 to 1988.
The city is known for being dog-friendly, with numerous hotels, restaurants and retail establishments admitting guests with dogs. Carmel is also known for several unusual laws, including a prohibition on wearing high-heel shoes without a permit, enacted to prevent lawsuits arising from tripping accidents caused by irregular pavement.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is located on the Pacific coast, about 330 miles north of Los Angeles. The town has historically pursued a vigorous strategy of planned development to enhance its natural coastal beauty and to retain its character, which the city’s general plan describes as “a village in a forest overlooking a white sand beach”. Carmel-by-the-Sea was incorporated in the year 1916 and as early as 1925 the town adopted a clear vision of its future as “primarily, essentially and predominantly a residential community”
New buildings must be built around existing trees and new trees are required on lots that are deemed to have an inadequate number.
The one-square-mile village has no street lights or parking meters. In addition, the businesses, cottages and houses have no street numbers. (Originally, the early artists who were the first builders of the homes in the town, named their houses, rather than having numerical addresses.) Due to this situation, the Postal Service provides no delivery of mail to individual addresses. Instead, residents go to the centrally located post office to receive their mail.
If you are planning a weekend getaway, here are some dates to remember:
• Carmel Plaza’s Summer Live Music Series
August 2 – 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
On Fridays from August 2 – September 27, 2013
http://www.carmelplaza.com/events
• 53rd Annual Sandcastle Contest
September 15 – 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Don’t miss the fun at the annual sandcastle contest held on Carmel Beach! Sandcastle building starts at 8:00am with judging from noon to 2:00pm.
• The 25th Annual Taste of Carmel
October 3 – 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
The Central Coast’s Premier Food & Wine Event
Carmel Mission
http://www.tasteofcarmel.com
Places in Carmel by the Sea we stayed, ate and recommend
The Hofsas House Hotel is a boutique family-owned inn with 38 uniquely decorated, spacious rooms, many with ocean views overlooking the pines in the village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Dutch doors appoint each room allowing guests to enjoy the fresh ocean air. Watch glorious sunsets over the Pacific Ocean from the privacy of the inn’s decks or rooms. Some rooms and most suites have fireplaces, private balconies, wet bars or kitchens.
The Hofsas House is located three blocks north of Ocean Avenue, eight blocks from the picturesque white sand Carmel beach and one block from a child-friendly City park. There is plenty of off-street parking and you will be delighted to walking everywhere in Carmel from the inn. Enjoy a continental breakfast in the morning with French roast coffee, tea, fresh pastries delivered from a local bakery, juice and fruit.
Other amenities include a heated swimming pool, dry saunas, view deck areas and free wireless Internet access. Some rooms are dog friendly. Casual elegance, personal service and traditional family hospitality are the trademarks of Hofsas House Hotel.
Fandango Restaurant
The authentic and innovative cuisine takes its influence from the family heritage – incorporating culture, flavors, preparation and culinary inspiration from the kitchens of Europe.
Fandango Restaurant features delectable selections of lunch and dinner specialties that include fresh seafood, Fandango’s famous rack of lamb, and prime beef – all prepared on a wood-burning grill. The expansive menu also includes delicious pastas, paella, lamb, stellar appetizers and unique salads.
Life at Fandango—like the dance it was named for—continues to be sometimes fast and often furious. But most important, it’s always fun.
In 1983, Walter Georis converted a charming old house in Pacific Grove into the restaurant Fandango. In 1986 Walter sold Fandango to the Bains who reopened the restaurant at the end of the year with Pedro De La Cruz their head chef.
Mundaka
A casual Spanish style tapas restaurant in downtown Carmel. It is the result of great friendships, a love of food and wine and music, and a long term romance with Spain and its culture. Open in March 2009, Mundaka continues to evolve daily with the creations of their chef Brandon Miller, and the musical musings of talented contributors. Mundaka aspires to be the hub for all that is tasty, fun, artistic, creative, and cultural in Carmel-by-the-sea.
Rio Grill Since 1983, Rio Grill has been the place to meet friends, enjoy cocktails, food and wine and experience great dining on the Monterey Peninsula. This is a high energy restaurant that is located at the mouth of the Carmel Valley in the fabulous Crossroads Shopping Village and has won numerous reader’s choice awards and inspired food critics both near and far.
Menu highlights include Creative Regional California Cuisine from the wood-burning grill and oak wood burner, as well as Chef Cy’s daily creations which include fresh fish, pasta, salads and sandwiches. Delicious food combined with impeccable service form the cornerstones of Rio Grill’s continued success.
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