Carmel is one of the world’s loveliest collaborations between man and nature. The unique seaside village sequestered in a forest of rare Monterey cypress borders a slope of fine white sand that extends into the surf of Carmel Bay. Father Junipero Serra built a mission here in 1770. Well over a century later, artists and dreamers attracted by the captivating location and year-round mild climate fostered the charm that is still being nurtured.
Fairy tale cottages and fanciful houses and shops are a highly visible part of the legacy. In spite of its overwhelming popularity, the village still does not have: traffic lights, parking meters, neon signs, billboards, street lights outside the business district, or tall buildings. It does have a compact downtown with a remarkable concentration of galleries and studios; unique speciality shops; and one of the nation’s greatest collections of gourmet restaurants and romantic lodgings.
For more information, contact the local Chamber of Commerce.
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