Downtown Carmel-By-The-Sea

Carmel-By-The-Sea's main area is a grid of streets around where Ocean Avenue and San Carlos Street intersect. Tall trees form a canopy over gingerbread-style storefronts and half-timbered hotel facades. As much as is possible in seaside California, it has the cold feel of a rich Swiss city. There are elitist stores such as Tiffany and Co, with everything perfect and pristine, alongside slightly rundown storefronts built decades ago. It's charming in a country-club, unhip kind of way. The fog is thick and oppressive in Carmel-By-The-Sea because it gathers in this bowl-shaped slightly inland hook along the coast. Every time I've been there I just want to leave asap!

Carmel Plaza, on Ocean Ave and Mission Street, is a three-storey shopping plaza with an exquisite inner courtyard that is a lovely public space for hanging out. There are chairs and tables, planters with gorgeous mixes of plants, artwork installations, and fountains. You can find casual cafes to buy a snack, or dine in a restaurant, whichever you need. Restrooms are on the top floor. 
Follow Ocean Avenue towards the sea and you will come to a heavenly beach, Carmel-By-The-Sea Beach, of snow white sand and cold biting breezes.
The 17 Mile Drive, a drive on private land ($12 to enter) with many stops at stunning overlooks, ends at Carmel-By-The-Sea, so you can stop here for a cup of tea after your beautiful drive.

Directions

Exit Highway 1 at Ocean Avenue and follow it toward the sea. There is plenty of free parking along Ocean Avenue or the side streets.
You can use 5552 Ocean Ave in your GPS to find this area.

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