Carmel is one of those places that makes you feel like you’ve strolled back in time. It’s a place that tourists flock to, looking for a taste of both the past and present. The area has been a haven for authors and poets, such as Jack London and George Sterling. Architects, from Frank Loyd Wright to Hugh Comstock (the designer of those famous storybook-style cottages) have left their mark and ignited imaginations. Within a 15-minute drive, you can soak up the sea, enjoy perfectly crafted dishes in historic settings, and spy miniature houses that look as if they’ve been plucked from a Disney storybook. When it comes to a family weekend getaway, who could ask for more?
8 a.m. Grab coffee and breakfast at an historic adobe
502 Munras Avenue, Monterey
The history behind Alta Bakery would be enough to attract most tourists. The building is a vast complex housing a barn and corner store and was once the home of sea captain John Rogers and his wife, Encarnación Vallejo Cooper. In 2019 it morphed from a shuttered historic complex run by the California State Parks to a lively bakery, owned by chef Ben Spungin and the Alta Group. Here, diners can enjoy everything from nine-grain pancakes to goat cheese fritters and summer garden pizza. Both the refurbished building and preserved courtyard are perfect spots to dig into your meal. Be sure to grab a few of the killer blue corn cookies on the way out.
9 a.m. Nosh on some old-world-style sourdough
479 Alvarado Street, Monterey
Sometimes one bakery simply isn’t enough, especially when you’re talking about sourdough that is so damn good like the loaves from Ad Astra Bread Company. The bakery is known for crafting old-world-style sourdoughs that undergo a two-day proofing process. Daily offerings include seaside sourdough, olive sourdough, seeded sourdough, and French baguettes. They also offer monthly bread-baking classes, a perfect activity for the whole family.
11 a.m. Get out in nature and visit the ultimate hacienda
7180 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel
Located on the historic Wolter Property. From the 1940s to the 1970s this was the location of Wolter’s Market. It became more than an agricultural supply store. It was a community gathering spot, that provided generations with memories of holiday festivals and fun events. Since the 1970s, Hacienda has been home to many iterations of what it is today. As the attraction explains on its website, “the one constant is the importance of community and caring for others.” So, whether you’re looking to get muddy with some clay and a kiln or want to kick up some dust with a line-dancing class, Hacienda has it all. Kids can enjoy a petting zoo of goats, rabbits, and chickens. The property also has a U-pick farm where an abundance of seasonal produce (everything from pumpkins to tomatoes), as well as flowers, are grown and harvested. For those looking to really dive into the fire, the Hacienda offers blacksmith and foraging workshops.
1 p.m. Head outside for a little slice of organic heaven
7250 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel-By-The-Sea
Many of us probably have a plastic container of Earthbound Farms lettuce resting on a shelf in our fridge. But in Carmel, you can see the farm’s humble beginnings on the farm’s original two-and-a-half acres of land. The “farmstand” — really more of a small, high-end supermarket — is a perfect spot to grab a beer or glass of wine while the kids roam free, climbing gnarled trees and running through the vegetable gardens. Be sure to pick a bouquet of freshly cut flowers and grab a sandwich and salads from the deli. There’s even some Strauss soft serve for dessert. Set up a picnic on the sprawling grounds and bask in the beauty of Mother Nature.
3 p.m. Sip ‘N’ Sail at the Quail
8205 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel-By-The-Sea
After all of those activities, kick back and relax at the Quail, an 850-acre lodge that’s nestled in the hills of Carmel Valley. Here, kids can enjoy sailing remote-controlled sailboats on Mallard Lake while parents sip on glasses of wine and watch the activities from Covey Deck. There’s also a lawn by the lake where kids (and adults) can play cornhole or try their hand at a game of golf. If you’re feeling peckish, sample some bites at Covey Grill where chef Goran Basarov dishes up shishito peppers with a pumpkin seed furikake, and beef and courgette skewers with an onion soubise and mustard relish. If you happen to go in August, you can catch the Motorsports Gathering car show, featuring an array of vehicles that would make even James Bond jealous.
5 p.m. Take in the sights and do some shopping
Downtown Carmel around 7th Avenue & Mission
Once you’ve got your second wind, head downtown and spot some of Hugh Comstock’s fairytale cottages. While you’re at it, do some shopping at Pilgrim’s Way Books & Secret Garden, Carmel-By-The-Sea’s last remaining bookstore. Owners Paul Fridlund and Cynthia Fernandes aim to take every customer through a journey of the written word. The bookstore has a kid’s section, as well as a secret garden that sparks the imaginations of young and old. After all that reading, stock up on cheeses, honeys, jams, and jellies at the Cheese Shop. This is where you bribe the kids. If they’re good, promise to take them to the Cottage of Sweets and the Xocolatl Garden where there’s guaranteed to be a bar of chocolate that will please everyone.
7 p.m. Head off the beaten path for a memorable meal
San Carlos Street, Between 5th & 6th Avenue, Carmel-By-The-Sea
Once the kids have been sufficiently tired out, head to Stationæry. The lack of a physical address might seem intimidating, but like the spelling of the restaurant’s name, this is a place that embraces being a little different. The restaurant is tucked between San Carlos and Mission Street in San Carlos Square. The name is a nod to owner Anthony Carnazzo’s wife, a letterpress operator and stationer. The restaurant is a haven for locals and tourists that’s open for brunch and dinner. The kitchen is led by chef Amalia Scatena, who focuses on locally sourced ingredients from Monterey and the farms of Santa Cruz County. The menu offers everything from Tsar Nicolai caviar with fresh kettle chips to spot prawn aguachile and root vegetable soup with browned butter and Dungeness crab. For less adventurous diners, the restaurant also serves a really good burger and delicious spaghetti. For dessert, save room for the Basque cheesecake and enjoy it with a cup of coffee. Even if you’re prone to midnight jitters with caffeine late in the day, the coffee is worth it. Anthony formerly ran a coffee roasting company and buys his beans directly from growers around the world.
Correction, Thursday, November 14, 11:01 a.m.: A previous version of this piece misstated that month when the Motorsports Gathering takes place.