Carmel Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Carmel

Carmel Plaza is an outdoor shopping center at the corners of Ocean Avenue and Junipero Street. The plaza opened in 1960 as a luxury shopping center with high-end department store I. Magnin as its flagship. Carmel Plaza was designed by architect Olof Dahlstrand.

A number of shops are now accessible through Carmel Plaza. Visitors can explore such retail spaces as Anthropologie, Cole Haan, Kate Spade and Tiffany & Co. They will also find restaurants that serve seafood, pastries and local favorites. Wine tasting rooms and a taphouse are also onsite for those who want to kick back and relax in style.

Special events often take place at Carmel Plaza. Live summer music is popular with summer visitors. The plaza has a traditional holiday tree lighting ceremony each December as well. If you happen to be visiting at the right time, you can enjoy fitness classes in the square. If not, you can still focus on wellness by visiting a local spa.

Ocean Avenue is a favorite locations for visitors to Carmel. The avenue is ideal for walking as it is a one-mile stretch of interesting shops and pleasant scenery in an area that is known for beautiful weather throughout the year. Best of all, at the end of the journey, the lucky visitor is welcomed by a sandy beach.

Most visitors start their trek at Junipero Street. They will see Devendorf Park, which is a small but pleasant public park with plenty of shade and public restrooms. The park was named after Frank Devendorf, who is known as the Father of Carmel. A bronze bust of Frank Devendorf can be found in the park.

Along the walk, tourists can stop to shop, have a class of wine or simply enjoy the atmosphere. They will then find themselves in a residential area that is cozy and secure. Of course, the prize of Ocean Avenue is the sandy, white beach on the bay. Just steps away from Pescadero Canyon, Carmel Beach is a must for any visitor to the city.

The Harrison Memorial Library in Carmel-by-the-Sea is a historic public library housed in a building designed by renowned architect Bernard Maybeck and constructed by Michael J. Murphy in 1928. Named in honor of California Supreme Court Justice Ralph C. Harrison, the library was established through a generous donation from Ella Reid Harrison, who provided land, bonds, and a collection of rare books, furniture, and art to create a lasting memorial for her late husband.

Maybeck’s design, featuring a Spanish Eclectic style, resulted in a two-story building with castle-sized windows, making it an architectural landmark in the city. Over the years, the library has undergone several renovations, including significant updates in 1949, 1977, and 2020, the latter being one of the most extensive restorations in its history.

The library serves as a vital resource for education, recreation, and culture in the region, offering books, materials, and programs that support these pursuits. Additionally, the library's Local History Department holds archives documenting the history and development of Carmel and the Monterey Peninsula, including photographs, letters, diaries, and other historically significant items. The library’s digital collection also features a range of media, from oral histories to photographs of Forest Theater performances.

One notable space in the library is the Barnet Segal Reading Room, named after Barnet J. Segal, and the library remains a treasured institution, continuing to evolve while preserving the rich cultural heritage of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Fairy Tale Cottages are a series of homes that were designed by Hugh Comstock. Each has the appearance of a fairy tale cottage brought to life. They have uneven rooflines, stone chimneys, ornate metalwork and English-style gardens. The homes are located in the Comstock Historical Hill District.

Comstock began building the homes in 1924. The first was a house for he and his wife, Mayotta Browne, that he called Gretel. The second, a home called Hansel, was built to showcase the cloth Otsy-Totsy dolls his wife made. Soon thereafter, Comstock began designing commercial buildings in the same style. The first of these was The Tuck Box.

Today, The Tuck Box is a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Visitors can also buy products to take home as souvenirs. The Tuck Box sells jams, tea, pastry mixes and cereal in unique packaging.

The Tuck Box is located on Dolores Street. It is open seven days per week from 7:30 am through early afternoon.

The Sunset Center is a performing arts center that features festivals and live performances. The building was originally a public school called the Sunset School. It was built in the Late Gothic Revival architectural style by John J. Donovan in 1906.

The public school needed to expand and reinforce the building against earthquake damage. Instead of incurring the expense, the building was sold to the city of Carmel in 1964. That was when it began use as a theatre. It was significantly renovated over the years, including a $20 million theatre upgrade in the early 21st century.

Visitors to Carmel may purchase tickets to performance via the Sunset Center website. They could also stop by the Center for Photographic Art, which is likewise located in the center. Those who simply want to view the space may walk by the facility. It is located on San Carlos Street, about two blocks south of Ocean Avenue.

Carmel Mission is a restored Roman Catholic mission church in Carmel Valley. Founded in 1770, the mission was founded by Franciscan missionaries. It was relocated to its present location the following year. Its full name, Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, is named for Archbishop Carlo Borromeo and the Carmel River.

There is much controversy surrounding the early days of the mission. Franciscans converted Native Americans to improve their baptismal rates. It is thought that about 900 tribal members were baptized and then forced into labor on the mission grounds during the 18th and 19th centuries. They were starved, tortured and left to die from diseases. This practice is thought to have ceased around 1833 when the church was secularized.

The mission was abandoned and fell into disrepair in the mid-19th century. The roof collapsed in 1852 and the mission was left in ruins. The Roman Catholic church took control of the land once again and rebuilt the mission, and then added to it over the course of several decades. It is said to be one of the most authentically restored missions in California. The mission was designated as a National Historic Landmark on October 9, 1960. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.

Today, the mission is used as a place of worship and gatherings. Concerts, lectures and art exhibits take place at the mission. Visitors are welcome to tour the museum, find souvenirs in the gift shop and tour the mission itself. They can also attend mass along with the local congregation.

Tips:
The museum, gift shop and grounds are open Wednesday and Thursday from 10 AM to 4 PM, Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 12:30 PM to 5 PM. Those wishing to attend mass as the Carmel Mission should consult the website as mass times are subject to change.

Tor House and Hawk Tower, located in Carmel, were the residence of poet Robinson Jeffers and his family from 1919 to 1999. These structures, often referred to collectively as Tor House, played a significant role in the development of Jeffers' poetic voice, inspiring not only his work but also many visitors over the years. Stewart Brand, founder of the Whole Earth Catalog, once described the house as a "poem-like masterpiece," noting its intelligence in design.

The Jeffers family moved into Tor House in August 1919, with Robinson Jeffers having apprenticed in its construction. The house, named after the granite outcrop or "tor" it was built upon, was situated on a piece of land Jeffers described as resembling the prow of a ship cutting through water. The influence of the Carmel area is evident in Jeffers' poetry, including works like "The Purse Seine," which reflects the local fishing industry.

Jeffers' daily routine involved writing poetry in the attic during the mornings and working on various construction projects in the afternoons, including the expansion of Tor House and the construction of Hawk Tower. After building a stone garage and wall, Jeffers embarked on the creation of Hawk Tower in 1920, completing the stonework by 1924 and the woodwork in 1925 with the help of a paid carpenter. He named the tower after a hawk that often appeared during the building process, a creature he later adopted as his symbol.

The construction of Hawk Tower coincided with a turning point in Jeffers' poetic career. While working on the tower, he compiled and printed a limited run of Tamar and Other Poems. Although initially unable to secure a major publisher, his work eventually gained recognition when editors from the Book Club of California discovered him. Today, Tor House and Hawk Tower remain landmarks that capture Jeffers' deep connection to the land and his evolution as a poet.

People visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea are able to take a scenic drive along the bay. Those who prefer walking have an even better view as they can experience the accompanying walkway. They can enjoy the views at their own pace as they walk from the Carmel Beach entrance on Ocean Avenue to Carmel River State Beach, just over one mile away.

The walking path starts along the beautiful, sandy beach on one side and rocky, tree lined cliffs on the other. Sights along the way include the Clinton Walker House - Frank Lloyd Wright historical landmark, Carmel Point and the unique Butterfly House.

The Scenic Road Walkway ends at the massive Carmel River State Beach. This mile-long beach is home to a bird sanctuary. Therefore, there are plenty of opportunities for birdwatching. Those who are lucky might spot a whale, though they are usually found a bit further out via a whale-watching excursion.

Carmel Beach, located at the foot of Ocean Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea, is one of the most iconic and frequently visited spots along California’s Central Coast. Renowned for its stunning one-mile stretch of brilliant white sand, this beach attracts both visitors and locals alike throughout the day, offering breathtaking scenery framed by lines of Monterey cypress trees and dramatic ocean views.

While the beach is beautiful, the waters of Carmel Beach remain chilly year-round, averaging around 60°F, even during summer. The waves are often unpredictable, and strong currents make wading or climbing rocks dangerous, as indicated by posted warning signs. Despite the cold water, the beach’s soft sand provides the perfect setting for children and pets to play, and for adults to take in the scenery.

For those who enjoy walking, the Scenic Pathway runs along the bluffs above Carmel Beach and offers nine stairway access points to the shoreline. This well-maintained path, lined with Monterey Cypress trees, connects to Carmel River Beach, providing panoramic views that stretch from Pebble Beach to Point Lobos. Community volunteers contribute to keeping the area clean, reinforcing the city’s commitment to environmental preservation.

In the evenings, Carmel Beach invites visitors to enjoy beach fires in designated fire pits, making for a cozy end to a day spent by the shore. Surfers can take advantage of the stunning views from the water but should be mindful of the constantly changing wave conditions. Wearing a wetsuit is essential for anyone planning to spend time in the frigid waters.

With its scenic beauty, family-friendly activities, and dedication to maintaining its pristine environment, Carmel Beach continues to earn its place as one of America’s top beach destinations.