The Little Green Guidebook
Food scene
Lovely little farmers market with lots of local vendors, dining, fruits, and flowers!
Carmel-by-the-Sea Farmers Market
6th AvenueLovely little farmers market with lots of local vendors, dining, fruits, and flowers!
Head down to Big Sur and grab a drink and sit in the Big Sur river. That’s right IN! The Adirondacks are in the water. It’s a great place for couples or families. Yummy food and drinks in a great location. Wear sandals!
29 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Big Sur River Inn
46800 CA-1Head down to Big Sur and grab a drink and sit in the Big Sur river. That’s right IN! The Adirondacks are in the water. It’s a great place for couples or families. Yummy food and drinks in a great location. Wear sandals!
A French bakery with a huge variety of delectable pastries just a few minutes away? And it opens at 7am? Very dangerous on those early and sleepy mornings. It’s the perfect distance to walk too if you’re up for a refreshing 1/4 mile.
24 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Lafayette Bakery & Cafe
3659 The BarnyardA French bakery with a huge variety of delectable pastries just a few minutes away? And it opens at 7am? Very dangerous on those early and sleepy mornings. It’s the perfect distance to walk too if you’re up for a refreshing 1/4 mile.
I hesitate to call it a donut place because they’re absolutely, out-of-this world delicious. They are made to order and totally worth a visit.
Dutch Door Donuts
1 Mission StreetI hesitate to call it a donut place because they’re absolutely, out-of-this world delicious. They are made to order and totally worth a visit.
A delicious high end breakfast and lunch place with locally sourced ingredients and elegant presentations. The food is mouth watering and insta worthy.
19 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Stationæry
San Carlos StreetA delicious high end breakfast and lunch place with locally sourced ingredients and elegant presentations. The food is mouth watering and insta worthy.
Newly opened Bread song serves up amazing sandwiches in the Crossroads shopping center. Even their in person ordering is online, so order ahead and skip the line. The Bahn Mi is one of our favorites, and don't miss the duck fat fried donuts!
Breadsong
102 Crossroads BoulevardNewly opened Bread song serves up amazing sandwiches in the Crossroads shopping center. Even their in person ordering is online, so order ahead and skip the line. The Bahn Mi is one of our favorites, and don't miss the duck fat fried donuts!
Beach spots
For a quick sunset walk or tide pool trip head down highway one to Ribera road. Park at the south west corner and head out on the trails either south for views, or down the stairs for exploring the beach. Either way you can loop around. It’s a hidden gem!
Ribera Road
Ribera RoadFor a quick sunset walk or tide pool trip head down highway one to Ribera road. Park at the south west corner and head out on the trails either south for views, or down the stairs for exploring the beach. Either way you can loop around. It’s a hidden gem!
Stunning with lovely trails and dynamic coastline. Perfect for a picnic after a short walk. Navigate to Calla Lily Valley on your maps app and park on the side of highway one. Take the trail west and enjoy spectacular views and a long lovely beach after about .25 miles.
Garrapata Beach
Stunning with lovely trails and dynamic coastline. Perfect for a picnic after a short walk. Navigate to Calla Lily Valley on your maps app and park on the side of highway one. Take the trail west and enjoy spectacular views and a long lovely beach after about .25 miles.
A beautiful alternative to Carmel beach, this beach lies at the end of the Carmel Valley River. Choose between the crashing waves and beautiful views of the ocean, or splash and swim in the calm lagoon. Also enjoy large flocks of pelicans and views of Point Lobos. This is our favorite local beach to bring the kids to. The beach is large enough that it rarely feels crowded, although parking can be very tight in the small parking lot. 5 minute drive or a 30 minute 1.5 mile walk.
21 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Carmel River State Beach
26495 Carmelo StA beautiful alternative to Carmel beach, this beach lies at the end of the Carmel Valley River. Choose between the crashing waves and beautiful views of the ocean, or splash and swim in the calm lagoon. Also enjoy large flocks of pelicans and views of Point Lobos. This is our favorite local beach to bring the kids to. The beach is large enough that it rarely feels crowded, although parking can be very tight in the small parking lot. 5 minute drive or a 30 minute 1.5 mile walk.
Just north of Asilomar beach proper there’s a walking trail and about a million tide pools. Explore the rocks and find hermit crabs, sea anemones, seals sunning and otters in the waves. It’s a must for exploring!
77 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Asilomar State Beach
Sunset DriveJust north of Asilomar beach proper there’s a walking trail and about a million tide pools. Explore the rocks and find hermit crabs, sea anemones, seals sunning and otters in the waves. It’s a must for exploring!
Secret and hard to find, this beach is small and usually unpopulated. If you’re looking for a beach picnic about five minutes away go to the south most bend of Yankee Point Drive and find the trail south between two houses on the bluffs toward Mal Paso creek. It’s hard to get service down there so just be prepared before you go. If you go during low tide, you get lots more beach to explore.
Malpaso Creek Beach
Secret and hard to find, this beach is small and usually unpopulated. If you’re looking for a beach picnic about five minutes away go to the south most bend of Yankee Point Drive and find the trail south between two houses on the bluffs toward Mal Paso creek. It’s hard to get service down there so just be prepared before you go. If you go during low tide, you get lots more beach to explore.
Outdoor fun
It may look like a baseball field, but it's actually the entrance to the finest hangout spots on Carmel River. Enter the parking lot and drive straight ahead, and park nearest the trees and trail. Head right (West) if you want to be around other people and kids, but hike left (east) if you want to find your own picturesque secluded river spot. About 100 yards down the trail, you'll find a trail heading right, take it until you reach the river. From there you can explore up and down and find your own little haven.
Dampierre Park
55 Paso HondoIt may look like a baseball field, but it's actually the entrance to the finest hangout spots on Carmel River. Enter the parking lot and drive straight ahead, and park nearest the trees and trail. Head right (West) if you want to be around other people and kids, but hike left (east) if you want to find your own picturesque secluded river spot. About 100 yards down the trail, you'll find a trail heading right, take it until you reach the river. From there you can explore up and down and find your own little haven.
Our favorite hike at Garland Park is Redwood Canyon off of East Garzas Road. The canyon views are spectacular, and you get to this lovely redwood grove at the top. It's a fairly quick 3 miler, with a creek walk at the end. It's a spring/summer/fall hike. In the winter, the bridges are removed and you have to wade across the river!
East Garzas Road
East Garzas RoadOur favorite hike at Garland Park is Redwood Canyon off of East Garzas Road. The canyon views are spectacular, and you get to this lovely redwood grove at the top. It's a fairly quick 3 miler, with a creek walk at the end. It's a spring/summer/fall hike. In the winter, the bridges are removed and you have to wade across the river!
Carmel Valley Youth Center Public Pool - Generally open from June through September, it is one of the only outdoor public pools. Even if it is a bit too cold in Carmel, expect Carmel Valley to have much more pool-worthy weather. About 18 minutes away and surrounded by a large dog-friendly park and playground.
Carmel Valley Community Youth Center
25 Ford RoadCarmel Valley Youth Center Public Pool - Generally open from June through September, it is one of the only outdoor public pools. Even if it is a bit too cold in Carmel, expect Carmel Valley to have much more pool-worthy weather. About 18 minutes away and surrounded by a large dog-friendly park and playground.
Sightseeing
If you are interested in exploring Pebble beach and its famous 17 mile drive, you can make a reservation at one of the Pebble Beach restaurants and they will credit you back the gate entrance fee.
Every evening you can catch the Spanish Bay Bagpiper in Pebble beach. Check online for hours, but it is between 4:30 to 6:30PM depending on the time of year.
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Spanish Bay
17 17 Mile DriveIf you are interested in exploring Pebble beach and its famous 17 mile drive, you can make a reservation at one of the Pebble Beach restaurants and they will credit you back the gate entrance fee.
Every evening you can catch the Spanish Bay Bagpiper in Pebble beach. Check online for hours, but it is between 4:30 to 6:30PM depending on the time of year.
Payo sa lungsod
Huwag palampasin
Private Yoga On the Beach
Hire Jacqueline for a gorgeous beach yoga session at Carmel or River beach and relax into the sound of the Pacific waves. She can provide yoga mats, and blocks and custom classes for individuals, couples or small groups. She was my prenatal yoga instructor and she's a kind and helpful guide for all levels. Call or text her at six 5 zero - 380-4253, or message me and I will happily connect you. Priced $120-150 per small group but mention the Little Green Guest House and get $20 off. Find more at santacruzprivateyoga dot com