Romantic Things to Do in Carmel, California

Mention Carmel to someone who’s been there and they’re likely to sigh dreamily and say, “Ohhh, I looove Carmel.”  I couldn’t really understand the appeal…until I went there myself. There’s not a whole bunch of stuff to do in this Central California coastal town. But that’s the point. Carmel is about connection with nature and community. And, as I discovered, it’s an ideal place to reconnect with someone you love during a couple’s retreat. Read on to discover seven romantic things to do in Carmel, California.

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1. Shop and stroll Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a one-square-mile portion of the larger area of Carmel. It’s a sweet little village within the city. Your revved-up, go-go-go speed will slow down to a leisurely stroll here. Carmel-by-the-Sea’s charm is closely guarded by residents who want to preserve its charming small-town vibe. There are no neon signs and very few hotels or chain restaurants.

You won’t even find any addresses here. Nope, Carmel-by-the-Sea prefers to keep FedEx carriers guessing rather than mar the town’s charming aesthetics with anything so ugly as street numbers. There are no mailboxes either. Instead, residents walk into town to gather up their letters and deliveries from the post office so they can actually interact with their neighbors.

European architecture, elaborate window displays, and blooming plants make wandering through Carmel-by-the-Sea pleasant, even for non-shoppers like my husband. Shops and galleries focus on art, upscale fashions, and quirky finds.

2. Stop for sweets with your sweetie.

Take a break from your retail endeavors with a respite in a local park. Be sure to get something yummy to munch first from the Café Carmel Coffee House. My husband and I invested quite a bit of time inspecting ALL of the town’s dessert offerings before settling on this bakery for our afternoon treat. My chocolate eclair was one of the best I’ve ever tasted. (And that says a lot coming from a sweet tooth like me!)

3. Toast your love on the Carmel Wine Walk.

Purchase a Carmel Wine Walk pass to experience wine flights at nine tasting rooms throughout Carmel-by-the-Sea. This self-guided walking tour saves wine connoisseurs money, especially if they hit every stop. Even if you can’t make it to every wine-tasting room, the passports are transferable.

4. Appreciate the beauty of the Carmel Mission.

A short drive from the center of Carmel-by-the-Sea lies Mission San Carlos Borroméo del Río Carmelo, better known as the Carmel Mission. One of 21 California missions, this is a peaceful retreat to stop and smell the flowers and learn a bit of state history. An active parish and school, my husband and I visited the Carmel Mission on a Sunday, and we were treated to bells ringing, ringing, ringing to call church-goers to worship.

5. Hike Point Lobos State Reserve.

About 13 minutes from Carmel-by-the-Sea lies Point Lobos State Reserve. If wandering through the quaint downtown didn’t mellow you, Point Lobos should do the trick. This reserve smells of things growing and dying and sounds of waves crashing, birds singing, and seals and sea lions barking. It feels alive and reminds you that you are alive.

A fellow hiker we met on one of the reserve’s numerous trails told us Point Lobos reminded her of the movie Avatar. Indeed, this nature sanctuary does feel otherworldly with its orange-colored moss, twisted trees, flower-festooned boulders, and wealth of animals.

We spied sea lions lazing on a beach, hundreds (if not thousands) of birds, and a rather outgoing mama doe and her fawn. Lucky visitors can often spy sea otters here too, but we were not among them. To get a better view of the area’s animal residents, bring binoculars or give your car keys to the information center to borrow a pair.

6. Enjoy intimate dining.

Restaurants vary from homey to upscale, but California casual attire is de rigueur. Space is scarce in Carmel, so be prepared to cozy up with your fellow diners.

Katy’s Place

You can’t beat Katy’s Place for breakfast or brunch, with its huge plates of made-from-scratch comfort food, including 17 varieties of eggs Benedict.

PortaBella

With its darling garden setting, PortaBella makes a lovely spot for lunch or dinner. Their Roasted Corn and Crab Bisque is a must taste!

Fandango

For a romantic fireside meal, Fandango is worth the short drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea to Pacific Grove to dine on dishes like their signature Osso Buco or local sautéed Sand Dabs. I highly recommend the Petite Filet Mignon served with green peppercorn and cognac sauce or the Scampi Prawns at this Mediterranean restaurant.

Mundaka

For a fun dining experience, choose Spanish tapas served in Mundaka‘s creative space with foreign films silently projected on a wall.

Pacific’s Edge Restaurant

Be sure to make dinner reservations for a splurge-worthy meal at Pacific’s Edge Restaurant at Hyatt Carmel Highlands. The knock-your-socks-off views, incredible service, and impeccable cuisine, will not disappoint. If this place doesn’t put you in the mood for romance, I don’t know what will.

7. Stay somewhere romantic in Carmel.

To get the most out of your Carmel romantic getaway, I recommend staying at least four or five nights in the area.

Hyatt Carmel Highlands

Spend a couple of nights at the luxurious, yet woodsy Hyatt Carmel Highlands, about a 12-minute drive from Carmel-by-the-Sea. The rooms are not large, but the views sure are. Our room had two balconies, one with a view of the pool, the other of the ocean and Point Lobos State Reserve in the distance.

Hofsas House Hotel

You should definitely spend a few nights at the Bavarian-themed Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea, easily within walking distance of the village-like downtown. If the weather allows, walk down to the nearby beach for swimming or nighttime s’mores by the sea. Spend a bit more for an in-room fireplace; we visited in summer and used ours every day. Read my full Hofsas House review to learn more!

Why Carmel?

I love my husband. But we sometimes drive each other bananas during our normal lives. We bicker about whose turn it is to drive the kids to school, whether to leave the butter out on the counter or store it in the fridge, and other little everyday annoyances. It can be easy to forget that we chose each other, long before we had kids. When we escape for a few days without our offspring, however, we don’t argue. At all. Ever. About anything. We hold hands, talk and really listen. We are happy to compromise to make the other person happy.

Although we have gone on many romantic getaways over the years, this trip to Carmel was special. It’s such a peaceful place that’s immersed in natural beauty, it would be hard to come away from here without feeling more connected. So now when someone asks me about Carmel, I sigh dreamily, remembering all the romantic things we experienced here together, and say, “Ohhh, I looove Carmel.”

Learn more

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Have you ever been to Carmel? Do you have any additional romantic things to do in Carmel, California that we should add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: Hofsas House and Hyatt Carmel Highlands hosted a portion of our stay. We also received some of our meals and our Carmel Wine Walk Passport free of charge. I did not receive any other compensation related this story. All opinions are mine, as always.

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