The Traveling Two

Our Five Day Carmel-by-the-Sea Itinerary

Where we stayed, ate, and what we did

Carmel-by-the-Sea had been on our list for years, and we finally made the trip happen with a four-day coastal getaway. This itinerary covers where we stayed, our favorite restaurants, the beaches we visited, and how we spent our time exploring one of California’s most charming coastal towns.

Day 1: Arriving in Carmel-by-the-Sea + Coastal Walks

We flew into San Jose International Airport, picked up our Turo rental (which was conveniently dropped off at the airport), and began our drive down to Carmel-by-the-Sea. The drive is about 1.5 hours without traffic, but since we arrived at night, we missed the famous coastal views along the way.

We made a quick stop in Seaside for an In-N-Out run before continuing to Carmel. One thing to note if you’re staying at Coachman’s Inn: check-in closes at 9 PM, and there is no front desk staff afterward. We arrived just in time, but definitely keep this in mind when planning your arrival!

The next morning, we started with coffee and pastries at Mad Dog & Englishman before exploring Carmel on foot. We walked down Ocean Avenue toward Carmel Beach, which quickly became one of our favorite parts of the trip. The coastline is beautiful, with surfers, dogs playing on the beach, and incredible views looking toward Pebble Beach.

From there, we continued along Scenic Road, where you’ll find stunning ocean views and some of Carmel’s most beautiful homes. The walk is mostly flat once you’re along the water, although expect a small hill when returning back toward town.

For lunch, we grabbed sandwiches from 5th Avenue Deli and brought them to Carmel River State Beach for a picnic with an ocean view.

We ended the day at Mission Ranch for sunset. The patio views are incredible, and we enjoyed drinks, appetizers, and shared a burger while watching the sunset. Don’t forget to say hello to the famous sheep before you leave!

Day 2: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve + Valentine’s Day Dinner

We started the morning with breakfast at Coachman’s Inn before heading out for the day. Their complimentary breakfast had everything we needed — hot breakfast options, yogurt and oatmeal toppings, coffee, juices, and pastries.

After breakfast, we drove about 20 minutes down the coast to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, one of our favorite stops of the trip. The park has incredible coastal views and some of the best hiking near Carmel.

Our favorite trails were South Shore Trail, Sea Lion Point Trail, Cypress Grove Trail, and North Shore Trail. We visited in mid-February and were pleasantly surprised by how uncrowded it was, making it easy to enjoy the trails and viewpoints at our own pace.

After hiking, we headed back into town and grabbed a quick lunch from 5th Avenue Deli before relaxing at the hotel and getting ready for our Valentine’s Day dinner.

That evening, we had reservations at La Bicyclette, a cozy Carmel restaurant with incredible food. The atmosphere was perfect for a special occasion, and the gnocchi was our favorite dish of the night.

Day 3: Big Sur Road Trip

After breakfast at Coachman’s Inn, we hopped in our convertible and headed south along Highway 1 for a full day exploring Big Sur. This was easily one of the most memorable parts of our trip — the drive itself is the experience.

We recommend taking your time and stopping whenever something catches your eye. The coastline is absolutely stunning, and some of our favorite moments were simply pulling over at viewpoints and taking it all in.

Some of our favorite stops along the way included:

• Bixby Bridge — one of the most iconic views along Highway 1 and a must-stop for photos.
• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (if you didn’t get enough the day before!)
• Garrapata State Park — beautiful coastal views and easy walks along the cliffs.
• Pfeiffer Beach — famous for its purple sand and unique rock formations.
• McWay Falls — one of Big Sur’s most photographed viewpoints.
• Point Sur Lighthouse — a beautiful historic landmark sitting on a volcanic rock just offshore.

We stopped at Big Sur Deli along the way to grab snacks for the drive, which was perfect since there are limited food options once you’re farther down the coast.

One of our favorite unexpected moments was spotting cows near Point Sur Dunes Preserve — a reminder that the magic of Big Sur isn’t just the famous stops, but also the little moments you find along the way.

For a late lunch, we stopped at Nepenthe, and it did not disappoint. The food was delicious, but the views were the real star. Sitting above the coastline with a drink and a meal while watching the waves below was the perfect way to end our Big Sur adventure.

If you only have one day in Big Sur, take your time, don’t over-plan your stops, and leave room for spontaneous pull-offs — those ended up being some of our favorite memories.

Day 4: A Relaxing Carmel Day

After a few days of hiking, scenic drives, and exploring the coast, we decided to slow things down and enjoy a more relaxing Carmel day.

We started the morning at Refuge Spa, where we spent a few hours rotating between warm, hot, cool, and cold pools, along with the sauna, steam rooms, fire pit relaxation areas, and indoor lounges. It was the perfect way to unwind after our adventures in Point Lobos and Big Sur.

After the spa, we grabbed a big brunch at From Scratch, located just outside downtown Carmel. It was the perfect post-spa meal and gave us plenty of energy for the afternoon.

We spent the rest of the day wandering around Carmel-by-the-Sea, exploring the charming streets, browsing local shops, and enjoying the slower pace of the town.

For dinner, we went to Nora’s, which was a cozy spot to end a more relaxed day. After several days of exploring, it was nice to have an itinerary day that was focused less on checking things off a list and more on simply enjoying Carmel.

Day 5: 17-Mile Drive + Pebble Beach

Before leaving Carmel, we spent one last morning exploring the famous 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach. This scenic route is filled with incredible coastal views, famous landmarks, and some of the most beautiful scenery along the Monterey Peninsula.

We took our time driving the route, stopping at viewpoints along the way and enjoying the rugged coastline one last time. Some of the highlights include the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock, and the stunning views overlooking Pebble Beach.

After exploring, we stopped for lunch at The Lodge at Pebble Beach, which was the perfect way to end our Carmel getaway. The views of the golf course and coastline were beautiful, and of course, Nolan had to stop by the pro shop and leave with a Pebble Beach hat to remember the trip.

It was the perfect final stop before heading back home — a relaxing way to take in the scenery one last time.