Carmel Valley - unincorporated community in Monterey County, California, United States

Carmel Valley is a small town located inland from Carmel-by-the-Sea, in Monterey County, California, United States.

Understand

Climate

Get in

By car

Take Carmel Valley Road east from Highway 1 across from Carmel-by-the-Sea.

By bus

Monterey Salinas Transit runs the Carmel Valley Grapevine Express (route 24) approximately every hour from Monterey via Carmel to Carmel Valley Village and back.

Get around

Most everything in Carmel Valley Village is within easy walking distance. If you want to visit the wineries themselves you will have to drive by car, some of them are remote but a few are close to Carmel Valley Village.

See

There are restaurants, wine tasting rooms, a small grocery store, churches, video stores, gas stations, convenience stores, hardware store, art galleries, gift shops, a spa, and entertainment.

Also: wild turkeys, quail, deer, rabbit, coyote, mountain lion.

Do

Sample wines from local wineries and dine at local restaurants.

Attend a performance at either or both of the performing arts centers.

• Garland Ranch Regional Park, 700 West Carmel Valley Rd, 36.5078°, -121.7694°. This 4,000 acre park was the original unit of the Monterey Peninsual Regional Park District (MPRPD) when it was purchased in 1975. Parkland includes both the Carmel river and the Santa Lucia mountains, with elevations ranging from 200 to 2,000 feet. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are all popular activities, with extensive trails that climb to the top of the hills where there are fantastic views of the hills, valley and ocean. There is a small visitor center with interpretive exhibits, fishing opportunities along the river (permit required), and historic sites ranging from pioneer homes to Rumsen Indian habitation sites. Free 2015-11-15

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

• Carmel Valley Lodge, 8 Ford Rd, 36.48362°, -121.73719°, +1 831-659-2261. A pet-friendly hotel with rooms, suites and cottages.
• Carmel Valley Ranch, One Old Ranch Rd, 36.51888°, -121.80602°. A luxury resort located amid 400 acres and surrounded by the foothills of the Santa Lucia mountains. Amenities include in-room fireplaces, hot tubs scattered throughout the property, a golf course, tennis courts, pool, and an excellent restaurant.

Stay safe

Carmel Valley is pretty safe. Take care in the outdoors with infrequent sightings of rattlesnakes.

Go next

• Carmel - Located 13 miles to the west, Carmel is a beautiful oceanside town that is home to the historic Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, several large beaches, excellent restaurants and an abundance of upscale lodging. It borders the iconic Pebble Beach golf course and is the entry point to the 17-mile drive and its dramatic ocean views.