Travel Guide: Carmel, CA Part 1

Happy Tuesday friends! As most of you know, Brian and I traveled to Carmel, California last week to visit my in laws. His parents spend the month of September in Carmel each year and this is the first year that we visited. Brian had visited Carmel before, but it was my first time.

We had a wonderful trip. I wanted to share some of the activities we did as well as what I packed in my suitcase. Stay tuned for another post coming Thursday where I share our favorite places to eat and where to stay.

Keep reading to see what we did and what I packed. Thank you so much for reading! xo, Nataly

WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN CARMEL?

Pacific Grove – This quaint little area is about 15-20 minutes from Carmel. An easy drive to go sightseeing, look at the coast, shop or just walk around.

Moss Landing – We didn’t really spend a whole lot of time here, just stopped to eat, but it was fun to see all the fishing boats. There are a couple of good spots to eat here too (more on that Thursday).

Pebble Beach Golf Club – This famous golf club is home to the U.S. Open and the Celebrity Pro Am. It is a great spot for photos and to see all the history of the golf course. If your significant other is a golf fan than this is a must-see. There is also some shopping in this area too.

Carmel by the Sea Beach – We walked this beach every morning because it was a short walk from the house that we stayed in. The beach is dog friendly too. It is so much fun to see all the dogs walking and running in the water.

Point Lobos – I highly recommend visiting Point Lobos while you are in Carmel. It is a hiking trail where you can see seals, whales and a lot more. There are a ton of look outs. We hiked about 8 miles the day we did it, so be sure you have hiking boots or sneakers. Pack a sandwich and have a picnic too!

Pacific Grove – My MIL and I spent the day shopping in Pacific Grove. There are a ton of little shops and places to eat in this area.

Monterey Aquarium – This is another place that you absolutely have to visit while you are in Carmel. I loved seeing all the fish, penguins and especially the sea otters. They stole the whole show for me. We spent most of our morning at the aquarium and then headed to the Fisherman’s Wharf, for lunch. This area is really touristy, but a must see in my opinion.

Downtown Carmel – Another place to do some major shopping damage. There are so many cute shops and places to eat in this area. You can easily spend the day here.

WHAT DID I PACK?

The weather in Carmel is pretty chilly. Usually during this time of year it is in the 50-60s. There were a couple of days where it was in the upper 80s-90s, but that was unseasonably warm for this area. I suggest packing items that will layer well with others. The vibe in Carmel is very laid back. No need to pack super dressy items. I only dressed up a little bit one night, but I didn’t even need to.

Here is a little overview of what I wore each day:

1. Open Knit Cardigan (old: similar here and here) // Tank (one of my favorite tanks) // Zella Leggings // Henri Bendel Crossbody bag

2. BP. Striped Peplum {fit: wearing a small for a more relaxed fit} // Old Navy White Shorts {fit: true to size} // Sam Edelman Slides {similar pair here}

3. Athleta Black Long Sleeve Tee {fit: true to size} // Zella Leggings {fit: true to size || wearing a small} // New Balance Sneakers {fit: I would go up at lease a half size}

4. BP Grey Knit Sweater {fit: true to size} // Free People Bralette // Old Navy White Shorts 

5. Zaful White Lace Top {fit: true to size} // Paige Denim Jeans // Rocket Dog slides c/o {fit: true to size // a lot more comfortable than they look} 

6. Target Black Tank {fit: wearing a medium for a more relaxed look // I have this tank in a couple of colors} // Loft Denim Shorts // Sam Edelman Slides {similar pair here}