Carmel-by-the-Sea travel guide
Carmel-by-the-Sea Tourism | Carmel-by-the-Sea Guide
You're Going to Love Carmel-by-the-Sea
With a population of 3,722, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a must-see destination in California, United States. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Carmel-by-the-Sea deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.
Where to Eat in Carmel-by-the-Sea
If you’re looking for affordable options, The Valley Kitchen (1 Old Ranch Road) and Seventh & Dolores (7th Avenue & Dolores St) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Il Tegamino (SS of Ocean Avenue between Lincoln and Monte Verde We are tucked in the Courtyard behind the Cottage of Sweets) and The Grill, Carmel-by-the-Sea (Ocean Ave & Mission Street) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
When to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea
How to Get to Carmel-by-the-Sea
Plane
When flying to Carmel-by-the-Sea, you’ll arrive at Monterey Regional (MRY), which is located 5 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Carmel-by-the-Sea include Austrian Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Carmel-by-the-Sea departs from Ontario and takes around 1h 20m.
Train
Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Carmel-by-the-Sea. The train journey from Carmel-by-the-Sea to Santa Clara takes 1h 02m and costs around $18 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from San Jose, expect to pay about $19 for a 1h 15m trip.
Car
Another option to get to Carmel-by-the-Sea is to pick up a car rental from San Francisco, which is about 90 miles from Carmel-by-the-Sea. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Sixt, among others, in San Francisco.
Bus
Several bus lines operate bus routes to Carmel-by-the-Sea, including Greyhound, FlixBus and CoachRun. From Coral Hills, the bus ride to Carmel-by-the-Sea takes 45 miles and will cost you around $18. From Reno, the ticket costs about $52 for a journey of 395 miles. Carmel-by-the-Sea’s bus station is located 1.1 miles from the city center.
Airlines serving Carmel-by-the-Sea
Where to stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Average rates range from around $563 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $306 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Comfort Inn Carmel By the Sea and Clarion Collection Carmel Oaks Inn.
Where to stay in popular areas of Carmel-by-the-Sea
Most booked hotels in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Renting a car in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Renting a car in Carmel-by-the-Sea costs $52 per day, on average, or $104 if you want to rent if for 2 days.
It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 33% cheaper than airport locations in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Carmel-by-the-Sea (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Carmel-by-the-Sea is Full-size (Chevrolet Suburban or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Ford Fiesta or similar) are, on average, 59% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.