There's nothing like local knowledge. When my hubby and I travel, we always find a unique favorite place. Next we find a local in it (since they're in the store or restaurant we are visiting) that obviously shares our taste in exploration.

Well, let us be your local! If you are visiting the Carmel-by-the-sea area, here are some of my favorite places that you won't want to miss! I've included links you can click to go right to their website.

CARMEL VILLAGE

FAV RESTAURANTS

       Casanova (Mediterranean/Voted Most Romantic and if you're lucky, you'll meet Walter and Sylvia - the owners. They are local treasures! Artists,           musicians and entrepreneurs, they have restaurants, art galleries and wineries. Walter plays in a band - the Sandals - that made the soundtrack for     the famous documentary Endless Summer. He's a celebrated artist/painter and they even made a documentary about surfing called Shaped!) - 5th     between Mission & San Carlos

Grasings (Coastal Cuisine - often voted 'best local chef') – 6^th at Mission

Vesuvio (Italian - Best rooftop deck with fairy lights. The owner Rich Pepe is great - buy a jar of Pepe Pants the pasta sauce he makes with his childhood buddy Joe Pantaliano (Cypher in Matrix) - 6^th at Mission

Flying Fish Grill (Seafood - a hidden gem with an asian flair) – Mission in Carmel Plaza

Aubergine at L’Auberge (Amazing Farm to Table - 5 course and 5 star - SF quality) – Monte Verde at 7^th

Cultura (unique Mexican with a twist) – Delores at 6th                 

The Cypress Inn (Doris Day's Inn! Best Dog/People Watching and great bar) – Lincoln & 7^th

·               Tommy’s Wok On a budget? (San Carlos between 7^th and Ocean) good Asian food at reasonable prices

·               Mission Ranch – View of the ocean and good food. Maybe a Clint Eastwood sighting (behind the Carmel Mission)

Forge in the Forest (Local hideout. American/Outdoor Lunch with heat lamps if necessary) – Junipero & 5^th

^{Brophy's Tavern (Great bar with TV screens everywhere. Best place to see the game) 4th and San Carlos}

WINERIES – CARMEL

Albatross Ridge – San Carlos at Ocean

De Tierra – (great fun ambiance) Mission at 5th

Galante – (best reds) Delores at 7th

STORES/GALLERIES – CARMEL

Bee Bark & Moss (Handmade Market Bags, Gifts) – San Carlos Square

·               Loes Hinse (Local Clothing Designer - Dutch designer that makes all her own designs by hand) – San Carlos Square

·               Travis Hall Gallery (Voted as one of the Top 25 Painters in the Country) – Mission at 6th

·               Anne Thull Gallery (Local Furniture/Unique Fine Art Designs) - 5^th at San Carlos

·               Bittner – The place to go for pens (Ocean and San Carlos)

·               Pilgrims Way (Independent Bookstore! Really! Lots of great metaphysical books and a great hidden garden) Delores at 6th

Carmel Art Association (Don't miss Local Artist Gallery) Delores at 6^th

Diggidy Dog (Everything a pet could want) – Ocean at Monte Verde

·               Jan de Luz (Custom monogrammed linens, unique gifts, authentic antique furniture) – Delores at 7th

Trio (Vinegar/Olive Oil Pairings and wine tasting too!) – Delores at 7th

Eco Store (Eco/Green Home and Gift Store) – San Carlos at 8th

Beachwood Home (Coastal home furnishings, gifts, décor) – Carmel Plaza

·               Cheese Shop (Cheese Heaven - great place to find picnic items for the beach) - Carmel Plaza

The Mole Hole (A Carmel best shop with items you won't find anywhere else - best xmas ornaments) – Mission at 7^th

 CARMEL, BIG SUR, MONTEREY AREA

OUTSTANDING VIEW RESTAURANTS AND BARS

·      The Highlands Inn - Fantastic outdoor deck with heaters, whitewater & sunset views. Great bar for a drink and appetizer.

·      Rocky Point - Best waterfront location. Watch the whales go by inside or out with a drink and app

·      Post Ranch – Ocean and Earth meet sky! Condor fly-bys. Best pomme frite.  Reservations essential! Try one of Ben’s fab desserts

·      Ventana Inn - Recently remodeled. Amazing lunch with ocean vistas on a sunny, warm hilltop. Bring your sunscreen.

·      Nepenthe - Casual lunch or dinner with unsurpassed views - the former love nest of Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth!

·      C Restaurant at the Intercontinental on Cannery Row - Oceanfront. Fantastic lunch outdoors or dinner inside

·      Schooners at Monterey Plaza Hotel - Right on the water for lunch

·      Roy’s at Spanish Bay - Pebble Beach. The best seafood with views to match

·      Spanish Bay Lobby Indoor/Outdoor Bar - Ocean views, fire pits, bagpiper at sunset, live jazz in the evening, magic…

·      Pebble Beach Lobby Bar - Ocean & famous golf course views, vintage old world Carmel feel

·      Big Sur River Inn – Sit in a chair in the river sipping your fav drink, listen to live music in the summer/fall on Sunday

·               Big Sur Bakery - total Big Sur feel. Great pastries and coffee. And a fantastic organic dinner

·               Deetjen's - Hidden gem for dinner in Big Sur. Alanis Morissette's fav too!

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

·               Carmel Beach - Walk from end to end, picnic or have an evening campfire South of 13th

·               Scenic Drive - Carmel – Drive the one way along the ocean or walk the path viewing the ocean and fairytale homes

·               Point Lobos – Highlands - Walk endless trails with breathtaking views, must see China Cove

·               17 Mile Drive – Unparalleled views, plus Pebble Beach and Spanish Bay Inns

·               Pacific Grove Coast – Drive or bike along and stop at the many beaches – especially in Feb/Mar when the ice plant is hot pink

·               Highway One to Big Sur – Indescribable beauty! And please pull over to view and take pics! It’s called Highway One for a reason!

·               Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur – Magical! Don’t miss the ocean carved rock arch!

·               Pacific Grove, Cannery Row, Monterey Municipal Path – Easy tour to walk, jog, bike

·               Monterey Bay Aquarium – One of the best in the country. Great for kids too.

·               Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tour – Ride the trolley into the Valley for tasting

BEST ENERGY WORKER

·               Wayne Hoff – 555 Webster Street, Monterey – 831-818-6980 – Rex is 2 inches taller and a year younger after getting “Wayned”!

MASSAGE THERAPIST & AESTHETICIAN

·            Angela Guerra – Cornerstone Day Spa, Monterey – 831-809-7941

LUXURY SPAS

·               Bernardus – Carmel Valley (Ask for Angela Guerra and the Spa Director Gina is a gem!)

·               Casa Palmero - Pebble Beach – Hey! It’s Pebble Beach!

·               Ventana – Big Sur

RETREATS (Reservations required so call ahead)

·               Esalen – Seminars, amazing ocean views, natural hot springs, spa

·               Tassajara - Buddhist Monastery, seminars, amazing mtn views, hikes, hot springs – sometimes they are sequestered in silence – call ahead

BEST HIKES

·               Big Sur – Julia Pfeiffer Burns Park – Ewoldsen Trail, Also Molera Park

·               Garland Park – Carmel Valley – easy to big climbs all in one place

·               The Pinnacles - Soledad – like you found the huge rocks of Joshua Tree here! And you’ll see condors!

CARMEL VALLEY WINE COUNTRY

WINERIES – CARMEL VALLEY

·               Georis – Pilot Rd, Camel Valley Village – The Georis’ – Walter and Silvia - are a local treasure. Their band – the Sandals - did the soundtrack for the documentary Endless Summer. Walter is a fab artist. They are documentary filmmakers, winemakers and restaurateurs! Talk about genius! Wow!

·             Cowgirl – Pilot Rd, Carmel Valley Village (local CV feel!) Don’t miss the rose. The winemaker Damian, from Georis’ native Belgium, is super talented.

·              Talbott – (next to Cowgirl) Award winning chardonnays and pinots

·              Bernardus – Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley Village – every wine they make is good – great rose, reds and chardonnay. The winemaker Dean is gifted.

RESTAURANTS - CARMEL VALLEY

·               Lucia Restaurant and Bistro (Bernardus) – Outstanding lunch outdoors & dinner indoors

·               Corkscrew – charming lunch outdoors by the fountain. You’ll think you just stepped into Mallorca

·               Carmel Valley Ranch – Dinner at this beautiful Carmel Valley property. Saddle up at the bar.

·               Roux – great tapas spot for indoor or outdoor right in the village

We hope your trip is fantastic. Carmel is the most beautiful town in California and in the center of nature’s jewel – the Big Sur coast. Monterey. Big Sur. Carmel Valley. Don’t miss it! And we hope you will stop by AiroMystic and Ajne Natural Fragrance Co. to say hi!

We look forward to your comments and suggestions!