CARMEL, Calif. – Highway 1 stretches 656 miles down the coastline of California, and it’s all beautiful. But there’s a certain stretch, about 90 miles long, that will take your breath away – the road that runs along the Pacific Ocean from Carmel to Big Sur and Hearst Castle beyond.
John Lloyd, general manager of Carmel’s Pine Inn, as well as Tally Ho, an upscale bed-and-breakfast, says in spite of its small size, Carmel, with a population of just under 4,000 and also known as Carmel-by-the-Sea, boasts a world of charm, flavor and fun.
“Carmel is famous for its white sandy beach, first-class restaurants, art galleries, wine tastings and retail shops, not to mention the eclectic hotels and inns,” he says.
Plus the fairy-tale cottages that line the street. Many celebrities make their homes in Carmel, most notably Doris Day, who only recently passed away. Clint Eastwood owns the Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant and lives on a mountain in nearby Carmel Valley. And former NFL coach and commentator John Madden enjoys spending time at his seaside home on Carmel beach. So keep a lookout. There’s no telling when you might spot a familiar face.
While you wait for a celebrity sighting, there’s so much to do around the area, starting – or ending, depending on which way you travel along Highway 1 – with Pebble Beach and the 17-Mile Drive that snakes around the golf course and the Pacific Ocean.