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Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age KidsPre-Teens & Teens
Boutique
Outlet
Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea Description
Famously home to Clint Eastwood (once the town's mayor) and a panoply of other celebrities from pop stars to talk show hosts to the artists and craftspeople who originally made the town famous, Carmel is worth a visit to celebrity-spot, especially if you have pop culture happy teens. The side streets are cuteness personified; drive down a few of the tree-lined streets and marvel at the architectural adventurousness of the houses and the phenomenal seaside views. But the shopping is the biggest draw for most: Giorgiou has a shop here; Coach has a shop that includes an outlet; and there are many, many high-end jewelry stores, clothing boutiques, and galleries, as well as shops selling fudge, ice cream and other treats. (We always pop into Cottage of Sweets for their European candy selection).
Planning Notes
- Watch out for parking police. You will get a ticket — and a pricey one — if you overstay a meter in Carmel, so don't chance it. The beach at the lowest end of Ocean Avenue is absolutely gorgeous, so don't leave town without checking it out.
Just the Facts
Hours: Open day and night, individual stores and restaurants vary
Fees: Free
Recommended Time: 1 - 2 hours
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