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 5 miles 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 37m and costs around $29 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fresno, expect to pay about $28 for a 4h 00m trip.
Another option to get to Carmel-by-the-Sea is to pick up a car rental from San Francisco, which is about 90 miles 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 Greyhound or FlixBus. From Oakland, the bus ride to Carmel-by-the-Sea takes 25 miles and will cost you around $9. From Reno, the ticket costs about $25 for a journey of 395 miles. Carmel-by-the-Sea’s bus station is located 1.1 miles from the city center.
Average rates range from around $572 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 Carmel Bay View Inn and Horizon Inn & Ocean View Lodge.
Renting a car in Carmel-by-the-Sea costs $55 per day, on average, or $110 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 26% 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 Supplier choice (Class Special Car 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.