Guidebook for Carmel Valley
Entertainment & Activities
Located on the famous Cannery Row this Aquarium is a must see. Go in the later afternoon to avoid crowds and school tours if you can. Hang out on the outer deck area and spot whales, otter and seals.
Catch the otter feeding at 10.30am, 1.30am, 3.30 pm
668 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Aquarium
886 Cannery RowLocated on the famous Cannery Row this Aquarium is a must see. Go in the later afternoon to avoid crowds and school tours if you can. Hang out on the outer deck area and spot whales, otter and seals.
Catch the otter feeding at 10.30am, 1.30am, 3.30 pm
Rent a kayak for a few hours and paddles around Monterey Bay. You can paddle around the wharf and in front of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. See otters and seals paddling around the Bay.
20 locals recommend
Monterey Bay Kayaks - Monterey Location
693 Del Monte AveRent a kayak for a few hours and paddles around Monterey Bay. You can paddle around the wharf and in front of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. See otters and seals paddling around the Bay.
Sightseeing
17 17 Mile Dr
17 17 Mile DriveGo for a beautiful drive through Pebble Beach
Big Sur
Go for a beautiful scenic drive down Highway 1.
Food Scene
Great French pastries - the morning bun is delicious and so is the coffee. Salads, sandwiches and quiches for lunch. Speciality chocolates as well.
25 locals recommend
Parker-Lusseau Pastries
539 Hartnell StGreat French pastries - the morning bun is delicious and so is the coffee. Salads, sandwiches and quiches for lunch. Speciality chocolates as well.
Delicious food and nice outdoor patio. Dinner here is a real treat, particularly their tasting menu. Great wine selection too. Good for lunch and breakfast too and bar.
12 locals recommend
Lucia Restaurant & Bar
415 W Carmel Valley RdDelicious food and nice outdoor patio. Dinner here is a real treat, particularly their tasting menu. Great wine selection too. Good for lunch and breakfast too and bar.
Great spot loved by locals. Dog friendly patio and tasty food. I would highly recommend making a reservation for dinner.
72 locals recommend
Café Rustica
10 Del Fino PlGreat spot loved by locals. Dog friendly patio and tasty food. I would highly recommend making a reservation for dinner.
Great for families and some tasty Mexican food. This place is extremely popular on weekends and have a happy hour.
49 locals recommend
Baja Cantina & Grill
7166 Carmel Valley RdGreat for families and some tasty Mexican food. This place is extremely popular on weekends and have a happy hour.
Casanova
5th AvenueGreat Italian food in charming and romantic setting in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Great beer selection at this brew pub in downtown Monterey. They have indoor and outdoor dining, and a casual beer garden too. Pet friendly!
65 locals recommend
Alvarado Street Brewery
426 Alvarado StGreat beer selection at this brew pub in downtown Monterey. They have indoor and outdoor dining, and a casual beer garden too. Pet friendly!
Great all you can eat Sunday brunch. Very popular, very tasty. Starts at 10am
59 locals recommend
Mission Ranch Restaurant
26270 Dolores StGreat all you can eat Sunday brunch. Very popular, very tasty. Starts at 10am
This place has great fresh fish and is very popular. Lunch is a great time to visit and afterwards you can walk to the beach and spot some whales. Get some clam chowder to go when you've finished and you'll be in for another treat. It's a little out of the way but if you are driving up to Santa Cruz it's a great pit stop.
123 locals recommend
Phil's Fish Market & Eatery
10700 Merritt StreetThis place has great fresh fish and is very popular. Lunch is a great time to visit and afterwards you can walk to the beach and spot some whales. Get some clam chowder to go when you've finished and you'll be in for another treat. It's a little out of the way but if you are driving up to Santa Cruz it's a great pit stop.
Mundaka Restaurant
San Carlos StreetServing tasty tapas style food in Carmel-by-the-sea
Parks & Nature
Great for a long walk, a hike or a jog. All trails are off leash for your dog. Trails go up into the hills with great views. Garland is one of my favorite places.
133 locals recommend
Garland Ranch Regional Park
700 W Carmel Valley RdGreat for a long walk, a hike or a jog. All trails are off leash for your dog. Trails go up into the hills with great views. Garland is one of my favorite places.
Great family friendly and dog friendly beach (no leashes necessary!) Includes bathroom facilities.
142 locals recommend
Carmel City Beach
Great family friendly and dog friendly beach (no leashes necessary!) Includes bathroom facilities.
Pinnacles recently became a National Park and is worthy of the title. A drive inland will take you here. In the summer it can get hot so go early and take plenty of water.
The best time of year is the spring when you can enjoy the wild flowers and cooler temperatures.
Parking is limited - get there early!
79 locals recommend
Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles recently became a National Park and is worthy of the title. A drive inland will take you here. In the summer it can get hot so go early and take plenty of water.
The best time of year is the spring when you can enjoy the wild flowers and cooler temperatures.
Parking is limited - get there early!
Essentials
Jerome's Carmel Valley Market
2 Chambers LnHas most of what you will need for your stay
Grapevine Liquor's & Deli
6 E Carmel Valley RdGood wine and liquor selection in the village
Great spa for massages, facials or any other treatments. Nice treatment space and pool you can enjoy too!
28 locals recommend
The Spa at Bernardus Lodge
415 W Carmel Valley RdGreat spa for massages, facials or any other treatments. Nice treatment space and pool you can enjoy too!
This spa is a coed outdoor spa with a sauna and cold, warm and hot pools. It is a wonderful place to relax for a morning, afternoon or day. Book a massage too!
65 locals recommend
Refuge
27300 Rancho San Carlos RdThis spa is a coed outdoor spa with a sauna and cold, warm and hot pools. It is a wonderful place to relax for a morning, afternoon or day. Book a massage too!