Want to see California the way it was, a land of myth and magic where the morning fog is scented with eucalyptus? Come to the coastal enclave of Carmel. If you don’t love serenity, would rather rub elbows with everybody, there’s always LA.
Consider a romantic, but reasonable, room at Monte Verde Inn. Ensconced in the heart of town, each room is distinctively decorated. No cookie-cutter ambiance allowed.
Walking is wonderful here. Sip your coffee slowly, then follow with a brisk walk along the jaw-dropping Scenic Road. You’re going to want to rent a car, however, to properly take in the full range of coastal vistas. Make the 17-mile drive along the Monterey Peninsula. This is a toll road, but it’s worth every penny. The sites are unlike any others anywhere. Start as early as you can and beat the conga line of traffic than can, sadly, build up on Saturday afternoons.
Seek out special treasures at the Carmel Art Association’s open-air museum. That done, peruse the gobs of galleries secreted away in a square mile of streets and alleyways.
The world may have moved your cheese, but not Carmel. Bring your appetite to the Carmel Cheese Shop. Locals love the place.
What’s cheese without wine? Designate a driver and head for Holman Ranch Vineyards & Winery in the heart of the Carmel Valley. The people who run the place have a legitimate passion for their profession, and it shows. Its estate-grown varietals grace 19 acres of undulating California terra firma. It’s the climate that drew them (and you) to Carmel. If you’re in search of a winery right out of central casting, this is it.
Day’s end might best be savored at one of Carmel’s multitude of first-rate restaurants. If you’ve brought your dog along and don’t want to kennel him, ask for a patio perch at da Giovanni’s. Order the budget-friendly prix fixe menu for two and sneak a few bites to your friend under the table. Carmel is the sort of setting where no one will mind.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: vtsr)
