With a population of 3.722, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a must-see destination in California, United States. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Carmel-by-the-Sea deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.
If you’re looking for affordable options, The Valley Kitchen (1 Old Ranch Road) and Seventh & Dolores (7th Avenue & Dolores St) are great picks. For delicious green meals, Il Tegamino (SS of Ocean Avenue between Lincoln and Monte Verde We are tucked in the Courtyard behind the Cottage of Sweets) and The Grill, Carmel-by-the-Sea (Ocean Ave & Mission Street) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
When flying to Carmel-by-the-Sea, you’ll arrive at Monterey Regional (MRY), which is located 8 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Carmel-by-the-Sea include Air Canada, Avianca and Copa Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Carmel-by-the-Sea departs from Ontario and takes around 1h 20m.
Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Carmel-by-the-Sea. The train journey from Carmel-by-the-Sea to Sacramento takes 1h 38m and costs around $29 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fresno, expect to pay about $25 for a 3h 58m trip.
Another option to get to Carmel-by-the-Sea is to pick up a car rental from San Francisco, which is about 144 km from Carmel-by-the-Sea. You’ll find branches of Kyte and Sixt, among others, in San Francisco.
You can travel by bus to Carmel-by-the-Sea using FlixBus or Greyhound. From Los Angeles, the bus ride to Carmel-by-the-Sea takes 169 km and will cost you around $25. From Santa Barbara, the ticket costs about $47 for a journey of 636 km. Carmel-by-the-Sea’s bus station is located 1.8 km from the city center.
Average rates range from around $566 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $300 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Comfort Inn Carmel By the Sea and Clarion Collection Carmel Oaks Inn.
Renting a car in Carmel-by-the-Sea costs $52 per day, on average, or $104 if you want to rent if for 2 days.
It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 33% cheaper than airport locations in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Carmel-by-the-Sea (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Carmel-by-the-Sea is Full-size (Chevrolet Suburban or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Ford Fiesta or similar) are, on average, 59% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.