Carmel-by-the-sea babymoon

One of the things I loved most about Carmel was simply wandering through town. Between the charming cottages, gardens, art galleries, and boutique shops, the entire town feels like something out of a storybook.

Another fun stop was the Pipe Shop. We didn’t even go inside, but the exterior was so charming that we couldn’t resist stopping for a photo. The building was covered in vines, and the vintage pipes displayed in the window felt like a step back in time.

Another favorite find was Starchild, an adorable children’s boutique filled with books, toys, clothing, and gifts. Since I was pregnant during our visit, I couldn’t resist stopping in to browse. I picked up a sweet children’s book called Good Morning Carmel-by-the-Sea, written by a local author, and now it’s one of the books I read to my son all the time. I also found a pair of Magnetic Me pajamas covered in sheep, which felt especially fitting after visiting Mission Ranch and seeing sheep grazing on the property.

We also stumbled upon Der Ling Lane, believed to be the oldest public alley in Carmel. Tucked just off Ocean Avenue, the flower-lined pathway winds beneath a wooden archway and past charming stone walls, benches, and gardens. Lit by string lights overhead, it felt like a hidden passageway and perfectly captures Carmel’s storybook charm.

One of the things that makes Carmel-by-the-Sea so unique is its collection of fairytale cottages. Walking through town feels like stepping into a storybook, with flower-filled gardens, winding pathways, and whimsical homes around every corner.

One area we especially loved was Torres Street between 5th and 6th Avenue, just a short walk from Le Petit Pali, where you’ll find some of Carmel’s most iconic cottages, including the famous Hansel and Gretel Cottages. We spent a surprising amount of time wandering the neighborhood, admiring the architecture, and taking photos.

One of my favorite surprises from our trip was stumbling upon the Carmel Farmers’ Market, held every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sixth Avenue between Junipero and Mission Streets. The market was conveniently located just steps from our hotel, making it an easy stop during our stay.

The market features local produce, fresh flowers, plants, eggs, baked goods, and specialty foods like olive oil, hummus, pizza, and bread. We loved wandering through the booths and seeing all of the fresh, locally sourced products.

Something about the market perfectly captures the Carmel lifestyle. As we walked through, I couldn’t help but daydream about owning a little cottage nearby, picking up fresh ingredients each week, cooking at home, and enjoying slow evenings by the coast.

Our favorite dinner was at Le Bicyclette, a cozy French-inspired restaurant known for its wood-fired pizzas and seasonal dishes. The atmosphere felt warm and romantic, making it the perfect date-night spot for our babymoon.

One evening, we had dinner at Pacifics‘ Edge at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands, perched high on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The views were absolutely stunning, and watching the sunset from our table while the waves crashed below was one of the highlights of our trip.

We also loved The Tuck Box, one of the most charming spots in Carmel. The cottage-like exterior looks like something out of a fairytale, and the inside is just as cute, filled with teapots and cozy details. It’s a great place for breakfast or lunch and feels like a true Carmel experience.

For drinks and appetizers, we stopped by Chez Noir and loved it. The restaurant has an intimate feel and a menu focused on local ingredients. After our visit, it immediately went on my list of places I’d love to return to for dinner.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a must-visit whenever we’re in the area and one of the most iconic attractions on the California coast. Located on historic Cannery Row, the aquarium sits in the heart of Monterey’s old sardine-packing district and does an incredible job connecting visitors to the area’s rich maritime history.

One of the highlights is the world-famous Kelp Forest exhibit, which was the first successful living kelp forest displayed in an aquarium. It’s an impressive feat considering how difficult kelp is to maintain, and it remains one of the aquarium’s signature attractions. We also loved watching the feeding demonstrations in the Open Sea exhibit, where you can spot everything from hammerhead sharks to massive schools of fish swimming overhead.

Beyond the exhibits themselves, the location is what makes the aquarium so special. Situated right on Monterey Bay, there are plenty of lookout areas where you can watch sea lions, harbor seals, seabirds, and sea otters in their natural habitat. During our visit, we looked out over the bay and saw what felt like hundreds of sea otters floating together on the water. It was one of the coolest things we’ve ever seen and something I’ll always remember from the trip.

One of the most memorable experiences from our trip was kayaking in Monterey Bay with Monterey Bay Kayaks. We rented a tandem kayak and launched directly from the beach, which made the whole experience feel like an adventure from the very beginning.

As you paddle through the marina, you pass sea walls covered with starfish, crustaceans, and other marine life. Before long, we started spotting sea otters, including a mom caring for her pup, which was incredible to watch up close.

As we continued exploring, we came across harbor seals stretched out on the rocks, fast asleep in the sun. We learned that they haul out during high tide and often stay there sleeping until the water rises again.

We also paddled through a group of curious sea lions that seemed very interested in what we were doing. At one point, they completely surrounded our kayak. They would dive underneath us, and we’d see bubbles rising up from beneath the kayak before they popped up somewhere else. It was equal parts amazing and slightly intimidating, but such a cool wildlife encounter and something I’ll never forget.

One of the things I loved most was just how much wildlife we saw. It felt like every time we turned a corner there was something new to discover. The marina itself was also full of character. The old wooden pier looked like it had been there for a hundred years, and it honestly might have been. 

Between the sea lions hanging out on the docks, the historic waterfront, and the incredible views of Monterey Bay, it felt like stepping back in time.

One of our favorite afternoons in Carmel was spent at Mission Ranch, a beautiful property owned by Clint Eastwood just outside downtown.

We stopped by the restaurant for drinks and were immediately struck by how beautiful the property is. The expansive grounds overlook the ocean and are dotted with grazing sheep, creating one of the most picturesque settings in Carmel. Since I was pregnant, I ordered the Peaches & Cream, a delicious drink made with soda and cream.

After grabbing our drinks, we spent some time outside taking in the views and watching the sheep graze in the fields. It was such a peaceful way to spend an afternoon.

If I had to choose one can’t-miss activity near Carmel, it would be Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. It’s easily one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever visited, with dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, crashing waves, and incredible wildlife around every turn.

Two of our favorite trails were the Cypress Grove Trail and Sea Lion Point Trail. The Cypress Grove Trail is an easy 0.8-mile round-trip walk that takes you through a grove of Monterey cypress trees before opening up to stunning cliffside views of the coastline. The Sea Lion Point Trail is another easy walk with very little elevation and offers the chance to see dozens of sea lions lounging on the rocks and swimming below.

Even the park ranger at the entrance was excited for us to experience Point Lobos for the first time because it’s such a spectacular place.

One tip: get there early. Parking is limited and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and during peak travel seasons.

I highly recommend making the drive down to Big Sur. One of the highlights is Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California. We visited on a clear, sunny day, and the views of the rugged coastline were absolutely breathtaking. If you’ve watched Big Little Lies, you’ll probably recognize it from the opening credits.

We also spent some time at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, which offers a completely different landscape from Carmel’s coastline. Walking among the towering redwoods and alongside the creek was such a peaceful experience and a fun way to experience another side of California’s natural beauty.