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Getting to Carmel
Carmel-by-the-Sea is adjacent to Monterey, which has the Monterey Peninsula Airport. Other options are the San Jose, Oakland, or San Francisco airports. The San Jose airport is about 1.5 hours away by car, and the Oakland and San Francisco airports are about 2.5 hours away. If you are driving from the Bay Area (San Jose, Oakland, or San Francisco), we recommend you take Hwy 101 most of the way; that route is easier to drive than the alternatives and is quite scenic south of Gilroy. 
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Hotels
Carmel is a resort town full of many lovely small hotels and bed and breakfasts. Unfortunately, the small size of the hotels means that we could not book a group block at a single hotel. We suggest you book your hotel room in advance to ensure availability for the holiday weekend. If you don't have a car, we recommend a hotel near Ocean Avenue. Our shuttle bus will pick up guests at a central location on Ocean Ave (we'll post the exact location soon). Medium-priced hotels in walker-friendly locations include the Carmel Bay View Inn, Lobos Lodge, and the Cypress Inn. Mission Ranch itself is also a possibility, although it is almost a mile from Ocean Avenue. For those looking for something fancy in town, check out L'Auberge Hotel. Those with cars might be interested in the Sandpiper Inn and Carmel Mission Inn. If you have a car, hotels in Monterey and Carmel Valley are also an option. |
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Tourist Activities
Carmel is a very walker-friendly town. The main stretch is Ocean Avenue, which is lined with shops, restaurants, and art galleries. The blocks north and south of Ocean Ave are likewise bustling with artsy activity. Make sure to check out the small courtyards inside the blocks: many restaurants serve their meals outdoors in these courtyards. If you stay at a hotel in central Carmel near Ocean Ave, then you can walk to many things (including the beach). The Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo is a must-see; it is one of the most beautiful of the original California missions. Nearby, Carmel Valley is famous for its vineyards and wine tastings. Carmel is known for its beautiful beaches. Be aware, however, that the water is cold and rough. Swimming and wading in the ocean are not safe. Carmel River State Beach, however, has a small river and tidal pool adjacent to the ocean that can be used for wading. If you want to go swimming in the ocean and are willing to drive, Santa Cruz has swimmer-friendly water. The famous Pebble Beach 17 mile drive is also nearby. If you like the outdoors, consider visiting Point Lobos State Reserve, which is a beautiful park with spectacular views and hiking.
Religious Services
Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo has a 5:30 PM Catholic mass on Saturday and several Sunday masses. The Church of the Wayfarer is a United Methodist church with a 10:00 AM Sunday service. Congregation Beth Israel (Reform Judaism) has Friday evening and Saturday morning Shabbat services. Other religious services can likely be found in Carmel or a short drive away in Monterey. 
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