HGTV just named this California city one of the ‘most charming’ small towns in America
A popular destination on California’s Central Coast is one of the most charming small towns in the country, according to HGTV.
The home improvement-focused cable channel recently included Carmel-by-the-Sea on its list of the 50 most charming small towns in America.
A scenic spot on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is “beloved for its fairytale-like cottages, as well as its upscale boutiques, art galleries, historic Carmel Mission Basilica, wineries and other attractions,” HGTV wrote.
The Monterey County city has received a string of accolades in recent years.
In 2024, AAA hailed Carmel-by-the Sea as one of the top “quaint coastal towns” on the West Coast, ranking it among the best “waterfront communities to see the sights, grab a meal and experience unique perks.”
Travel + Leisure identified Carmel as one of the top 12 best spots in the United States with fewer than 25,000 residents.
Also in 2024, Sunset Magazine described Carmel as a “charming seaside hamlet” that offers the perfect “combination of both the ocean and the forest.”
“It’s quiet and so nature-focused, but you still have great food and a real hometown feel,” Sunset wrote.
What is there to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
According to CarmelCalifornia.com, these are some of the things visitors can do in Carmel-by-the-Sea:
Take a walking tour
Browse art galleries
Walk along the beach
Eat at restaurants such as La Bicyclette, Toro and II Fornaio
Visit wine tasting rooms
Stay at LaPlaya Hotel, Tally Ho Inn or Cypress Inn
How do you get to Carmel-by-the-Sea?
According to the Carmel California website, the best way to reach Carmel-by-the-Sea is to fly into Monterey Regional Airport, which is just a 10-minute drive from town.
Visitors can also reach Carmel by traveling north or south on Highway 1.
The city is a two-hour drive from San Francisco, a 6 1/2-hour trip by vehicle from Los Angeles, and a three-hour drive from Sacramento.
This story was originally published January 20, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "HGTV just named this California city one of the ‘most charming’ small towns in America."
