Best Things To Do in Carmel-By-The-Sea in the Fall: a Complete Travel Guide

Carmel-by-the-Sea was described to me as a Village in the Forest by the Sea by Hofsas House Owner and General Manager, Carrie Theis.  I had not started my 48 hour adventure, but those exact words described the type of experience that I was about to embark on in Carmel-by-the-Sea this Fall.  Glorious sunsets overlooking the Pacific Ocean, renown shopping, excellent wine tasting rooms, and more would be a few of the adventures that I would encounter in the Village in the Forest by the Sea.

Carmel-By-The-Sea in the Fall: a Complete Travel Guide

What type of person does Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Fall appeal to for a Fall break?  Just about anyone trying to find respite from the chaos of everyday life, beach-lovers, foodies, and oenophiles.  The shopping and wine tasting rooms make this destination perfect for a girls weekend or a romantic weekend with your partner.  Similarly, Carmel is a perfect destination for the solo-traveler, like me, that is independent, adventurous, loves to shop, and finds enjoyment in exploring California’s Cuisine and Wine.

Monterey Regional Airport

Carmel is a short 15 minute Lyft/Uber ride from Monterey Regional Airport.  I flew into Monterey via America Airlines from the Raleigh Durham Airport with a transfer in Phoenix.  Although the airport is small, it is efficiently operated with hassle-free security lines.  As well as American Airlines, other airlines that fly into Monterey Regional Airport include Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, and United Express.

Hofsas House Hotel

Hofsas House boutique is a  family-owned Inn that provides traditional hospitality with a nod to Bavaria.  The German influence can be immediately recognized in Hofsas cottage architecture as well as their 38 uniquely decorated and elegantly furnished rooms.

While each Hofsas House room has its own personality,  all are adorned with beautiful pink Dutch doors that allow guests to enjoy the fresh ocean air and watch the gorgeous sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.  Most rooms have flat screen TVs, fireplaces, private balconies, wet bars or kitchens.  Other amenities shared by all guests include a heated swimming pool, dry saunas, and free wireless internet service.  For those travelers that do not leave home without their fur babies, some of Hofsas House rooms are dog friendly.

The Bed and Breakfast is ideally located three blocks north of Ocean Avenue, eight blocks from the picturesque white sands of Carmel beach and one block from a child-friendly City park.  During my stay, I walked everywhere and I had no need for a Lyft or Uber in Carmel-by-the-Sea.  The only instances where I required transportation was to and from the airport and to two separate dining visits outside of Carmel.  For those driving into the Village in the Forest by the Sea, there is plenty of off-street parking.  Hofsas guests also have the benefit of free parking at the Inn.

Paris Bakery

One of my favorite amenities at Hofsas House is their continental breakfast in the morning which includes fresh roasted coffee sourced locally from Carmel Valley Roasting Co., tea, juice, fruit, and fresh pastries delivered from Monterey’s Paris Bakery.  Guests are encouraged to enjoy breakfast at the Inn’s lobby which is equipped with casual elegant furnishings and a lovely fireplace that is lit for those chilly California mornings.

As a pastry lover, I cannot stop raving over Paris Bakery’s  almond croissants.  Apart from almond croissants, guests can enjoy a variety of muffins, danishes, croissants, and other wonderful pastries.   If you rather enjoy your breakfast in the comfort of your own room, Hofsas House will gladly provide guests a tray to place their breakfast items to go.  Personally, I enjoyed having breakfast at the Inn by the fireplace and striking up a conversation with other guests while I sipped on multiple cups of Carmel Valley coffee.

Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co.

One of the many reasons I love Carmel-by-the-Sea is that you will not find any coffee chains or fast food restaurants in the area.  Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co. is one of the local spots where visitors can purchase their morning cup of Joe or an afternoon pick me up.  Including coffee specialties, the local Roaster sells an assortment of pastries and other delicious bites.  The Coffee Co. opens its doors at 6 am and is the perfect spot to grab a cup of coffee to go and walk over to Carmel Beach to see the morning sunrise.  Visitors that have not experienced a California sunrise are in for a spectacular mirage of pink, orange, and baby blue hues that are reminiscent of a Claude Monet’s Water Lilies.

Marianne’s Ice Cream

Visiting a city for 48 hours can be exciting and at times a bit of challenge to fit in all the amazing foods and sites a city has to offer.  I had been advised previously that if I came across Marianne’s Ice Cream,  it was one indulgence that I would have to try.  To my surprise, Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Co. not only serves up some stellar coffee, but they also carries the Santa Cruz, California favorite.  The local coffee shops sells some of  Marianne’s Ice Cream novelties like nutty bars, strawberry ice cream sandwiches, and more.

It may not have been the most ideal time of day, but I came across Marianne’s on my last day in Carmel at 7:30 AM.  Without hesitation and accompanied by the stares of many, I bought and sampled both a nutty bar and strawberry ice cream sandwich.  The nutty bar is both a chocolate and nut lovers dream.  The entire bar has a lovely texture accompanied by an excellent vanilla ice cream.  The strawberry ice cream sandwich has a graham cracker like cookie embedded with tiny chocolate chips and enrobed in a beautiful dark chocolate shell.  If you are ever in the Santa Cruz area, Marianne’s Ice Cream must be included in your agenda.

5th Avenue Deli and Catering Co.

Hofsas House prides itself in being a full service accommodation.  The Bed & Breakfast is prepared to cater to lovers on a romantic weekend,  honeymooners, families, and lone travelers.  The Inn has several add-ons that can be included in a guests package.  One of my favorite perks in my weekend package was a gift certificate to 5th Avenue Deli and Catering Co.  I was famished after checking into the Bed & Breakfast.  After settling into my suite and freshening up, I walked over a couple of blocks to the deli.  5th Avenue has an extensive menu of hot and cold dishes including sandwiches. With so much to choose from including green chili tamales, I couldn’t make up my mind. I ordered the Reuben made with Hot Pastrami, Thousand Island dressing, Sauerkraut, Swiss Cheese, on a Marble Rye.  All  that I can say is every Reuben I’ve had up until now does not measure up to the one I had at the Carmel deli.

On top of  a fantastic Reuben, 5th Avenue deli and Catering Co. also has an extensive collection of wine, pastries, and other local foods and confections made in Carmel.  The deli is only a couple of blocks from Carmel Beach, which makes it a perfect stopping point to grab and assortment of food and drink for a beach picnic.

Carmel Beach

My Carmel-by-the-Sea mornings included 6 AM walks along the beach to see the sunrise.  Having only spent 48 hours in Carmel, I was somewhat warped by the time zone adjustment from East to West, however, that worked to my advantage.   I may not have slept much in Carmel,  but I rather that than have missed the beautiful sunrise, the sounds of the ferocious waves, and smell of the crisp Pacific Ocean.  It is important to note that the terrain on beach is not flat, which doesn’t make it an ideal spot for runners.  However, if you want to enjoy the moment and take in the views, Carmel Beach is the perfect spot for a stroll.

Scheid Vineyards

Having lived a short time in Italy, Spain, and Argentina, I unfortunately have overlooked the wonderful wines of California.   Trust me, I feel wretched about it, especially after discovering some incredible wines in Carmel.  My 48 hour trip included a couple of afternoon visits to wine tasting rooms including Scheid Vineyards.  I fell in love with every wine I sampled at Scheid Vineyards including a 2018 Chardonnay, a 2017 Pinto Noir Rose, a 2016 50/50 blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, just to name a few.

In addition to Scheid Vineyards, Carmel has over a dozen other tasting rooms including Holman Ranch Estate Vineyard & Winery.  Some of my favorites at Holman Ranch include the 2017 Heather’s Hill Pinot Noir and the 2014  Hunter’s Cuvée Pinot Noir.  Wine Tastings can range from and average of $15 to $35, depending on the winery.  Wine lovers will want to dedicate one to two full afternoons to visit these wineries.

Lula’s Chocolates

If you did not know this about me, I have an insatiable sweet tooth.  Together with ice cream, I love finding small batch chocolatier’s during my travels.  I had been secretly stalking Lula’s on Instagram for some time and could not wait to visit the store front.  Alongside small batch handcrafted nut clusters and truffles, Lula’s sea salt caramels are not only their signature product but also a best seller.  Aside from Lula’s storefront, these chocolates are sold at other Carmel businesses including Scheid Vineyards and 5th Avenue Deli and Catering Co.

Carmel-By-The-Sea Fall Sunsets

There is something magically spectacular about the sunsets in the Pacific West Coast.  That said, plan your day accordingly to witness a Carmel-by-the-Sea sunset.  Hofsas House Dutch doors allow guests to view the sunset from the comfort of their own room.  Over and above gazing at the sunset, I highly recommend pairing the experience with a lovely California Chardonnay.  I enjoyed a couple of glasses of 2017 Scheid Vineyards Chardonnay gifted to me by the Inn.  Regardless of which wine you choose or where you choose to see the sunset, be sure to include this activity in your agenda.

The Cheese Shop

Not only did I enjoy a wonderful Chardonnay, but I also sampled a couple of excellent cheeses from The Cheese Shop.   The local business carries an assortment of cheeses from 16 different countries.  The shop also has everything from wine and other gourmet foods to build the perfect charcuterie for your hotel room or for that beach picnic.  If you are wondering what to pair with a 2017 Scheid Vineyards Chardonnay, a Schoch’s Monterrey County Jack and Fromage D’Affnois are perfect accompaniments.

Luganos Swiss Bistro Carmel

I admit, I have never dined at a fondue restaurant prior to my Luganos visit.  As well as fondue, the restaurant features Swiss, German, and French cuisine.  Luganos also has an attractive beer and wine menu that will please various tastes.  During my visit I had to partake in the fondue experience for both dinner and dessert.   This experience is appetizing not only for singles and couples, but especially for families and large groups.

 

Beach House at Lovers Point

Beach House offers casual California dining overlooking Lover’s Point Beach.  The restaurant is located in Monterey’s Peninsula and is approximately a 15 minute Lyft/Uber ride from Hofsas House.    Some of my favorite menu items at this restaurant include the Pacific Coast Clam Chowder, Firecracker shrimp tossed in a spicy-sweet aioli, and the Chocolate Pot de Creme.   Every night the restaurant features a dinner special with a fresh catch.  I highly recommend any special featured by the Beach House.

Camel-By-The-Sea in the Fall: Best Places to Go Shopping

Coast Carmel

I cannot confirm or deny that I did a little shopping in Carmel.   The city has it all from unique boutiques specializing in fashion and jewelry to a myriad of art galleries.  I admit I did a lot of window shopping, but could not resist buying a couple of items at Coast Carmel.  The shop’s apparel embodies the California coastal lifestyle.  Some of the brands that the shop sells include Tart, Sanctuary, Splendid, Ella Moss, and more.

Packing Essentials for Visiting Carmel-By-The-Sea in the Fall:

Casual elegance are two words that come to mind when I think of Carmel and its fashion.    Dressing in layers will prove to be useful as the the mornings and evenings can be cool, while the afternoons can be comfortably warm.   A pair of tennis shoes are essential for both walking at the beach and exploring the city.  One of the fun facts that I learned in Carmel is that the municipal code of Carmel bans wearing shoes having heels more than 2 inches in height or with a base of less than one square inch.  After exploring the city, its curves, and its cobblestone streets, visitors will have no desire to wear heels greater than two inches in height.

Accompanied by comfortable shoes, yoga gear is perfect for those Carmel beach morning walks.  Comfortable and warm clothing such as jeans, leggings,  long t-shirts, and sweaters are perfect clothing options.  The key will be to layer your clothes properly to provide enough warmth for those chilly mornings and evenings as well as provide you with the flexibility to remove those layers as the warm afternoons approach.  Besides clothing, a pair of sunglasses and a hat are two other accessories that will prove to be useful.

Leaving Carmel-By-The-Sea

Although Carmel-by-the-Sea is a 15 minute Lyft/Uber ride to Monterey Airport, plan accordingly and arrive 2 hours ahead of your scheduled flight.   When I arrived, the airport was calm and incredibly easy and efficient to both check in and navigate through security.  Given that the airport is small, there are minimal food options to choose.  If you like to snack while traveling or have a meal during a long flight, I highly recommend packing a snack or a sandwich prior to arriving to the airport.  Obviously, TSA does not allow liquids and similar items to pass through security, however, bottled water and other drinks can easily be purchased at the vending machines and two other small shops inside the Monterey airport.

 

Hofsas House describes itself as an Inn with European elegance with the warmth of family hospitality.   If I had to sum my trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea, I would use those exact words.  Above and beyond lodging, Hofsas House partners with the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, the Cinq Mondes Spa in Carmel, and four different golf courses in the area to provided special rates to interested guests.   Other Hofsas House offerings include a Carmel Walk-by-the-Sea Passport, Champagne & Cheese Pairing, Monterey Wine & Cheese Pairing, and a Monterey Wine & Lula’s Chocolates Pairing.  These exclusive offerings make the Inn an exclusive and all inclusive Bed & Breakfast.  Along with the charming hospitality of Hofsas House, Carmel proved to be unique, adventurous, and a travel bucket list must.  After all, where else would you find a Village in the Forest by the Sea?

If you enjoyed this Carmel By The Sea in the Fall post, click here,  to read about my Top 10 Places To Eat In NYC.