If you’re planning a trip to Northern California, Carmel and Pebble Beach should definitely be on your list! They are beautiful places to visit and perfect for a weekend trip! In this post, I will be sharing how to spend a weekend in Carmel and Pebble Beach. You will find all of the details of where to stay, what to do, and where to eat. I hope you find this helpful if you’re planning your own mini vacation to this lovely destination!
Where to Stay:
My personal favorite place to stay in this area is the Inn at Spanish Bay at the Pebble Beach Resort. The hotel is stunning – it’s located right off of the coast with great ocean views and is surrounded by one of their renowned golf courses. Personally, I opt to stay at the Inn (rather than the Lodge) as I prefer the atmosphere here. It is 100% the most relaxing place I’ve ever stayed! And, of course, the highlight of every evening is the bagpiper that plays on the green at sunset. Make sure you go early to snag a spot at the fire pits as it gets really crowded! Note: even if you don’t stay at the hotel, you can come to the fire pits for a drink and to see the bagpiper play.
If you would prefer to stay in Carmel, I would recommend getting a hotel near downtown Carmel. Here, you will be close to plenty of shops and restaurants and within walking distance to Carmel Beach. A few options may be La Playa Carmel, L’Auberge Carmel, or the Cypress Inn (which is known for being owned by Doris Day and is dog friendly!).
Alternatively, you can stay in Carmel Valley, which is a bit out of the way but also a lovely place to stay! I would personally recommend staying at the Carmel Valley Ranch (I’ve stayed here and loved it!) or Bernardus Lodge and Spa, which I’ve heard great things about!
Day 1
A great starting point to your weekend trip is Pacific Grove. It is a beautiful town to visit and is an easy day trip from this area – it’s close by, parking is plentiful, and you only really need a few hours to see the highlights. Come by for either breakfast or lunch and spend a few hours walking around the downtown area, Lover’s Point, and Asilomar Beach. For more detailed information on how to spend an afternoon here, check out this post.
In the afternoon, check into your hotel and then set out for a pre-dinner cocktail. I would highly recommend heading to the fire pits at the Inn at Spanish Bay to listen to the bagpiper play and watch the sunset. It is truly a wonderful experience (even the locals love it!). There are also many lovely restaurants at the Inn at Spanish Bay (make reservations in advance!) or you can order some delicious appetizers at the fire pits, which is what we did on this night.
Day 2
There are so many great hiking spots around Carmel and Pebble Beach, you really can’t go wrong! I would recommend the Canyon Loop at Soberanes. It’s a pretty intense climb up to the top, but the views are gorgeous! We went on a very windy morning – so windy that it felt like we were going to blow off the cliff! But that seemed to just add to the fun of it! Parking can get a bit challenging around this area, so try to come early.
After your hike, head into Carmel Valley to grab lunch. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from. I like the Trailside Cafe, which has great sandwiches. If you go, make sure to order the tater tots!
If hiking isn’t your thing, you can also spend the day wine tasting in Carmel Valley. There are plenty of wineries in this area so take your pick. For a unique experience, there is also a wine trolley tour which I’ve heard good things about. If you’d prefer to taste in downtown Carmel, there are also many tasting rooms located here. I have visited Cariccioli Cellars and had a great experience.
In the afternoon, head back to your hotel to freshen up. If you’re staying at the Inn at Spanish Bay, you know what you’re doing on this evening – heading back to the fire pits! Can you tell it’s a must-do? After watching the sunset, head inside for warmth and dinner at Roy’s. This is one of our favorite restaurants – it’s pricey but the food is really great! As another option, I would also recommend Peppoli, which is an Italian restaurant.
If you’re staying in Carmel and looking for a great spot to eat, I would highly recommend La Bicyclette Restaurant. I’ve eaten here a couple of times and the food is delicious! For those craving something sweet after dinner (like me), stop by the Cottage of Sweets to stock up. It’s a local favorite (especially with kids) – try their fudge! Also, I always try to stop by Kris Kringle of Carmel when I’m in the area. I love shopping for Christmas ornaments (just me?), and I’ve gotten some great ones here.
Day 3
The next morning, wake up early and drive to Point Lobos to spend the day. It wouldn’t be a post about how to spend a weekend in Carmel and Pebble Beach without mentioning Point Lobos! This is a must-see spot in Carmel – it is stunning and a great place to walk around for a few hours. For more information on how to spend a day here, check out this post.
Day 4
To wrap up this guide on “How to Spend a Weekend in Carmel and Pebble Beach”, spend your last morning at the beach. If you’re staying in downtown Carmel, visit either Carmel Beach or Carmel River State Beach. If you’re staying at the Inn at Spanish Bay, head down to the beach boardwalk. We love walking along here and keeping our eyes peeled for otters, dolphins, and whales. You can read more about walking the beach boardwalk here.
After your walk, check out of your hotel and drive over to the Lodge. Here, grab lunch and walk around the property – read more about our afternoon here. Then, it is time to say goodbye to this gorgeous destination!
Carmel and Pebble Beach are the perfect places to visit for a weekend trip in Northern California. If you’re planning a trip here, I hope this information on how to spend a weekend in Carmel and Pebble Beach helps! Be right back, booking another trip here stat!
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