A DAY IN CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
We were coming off of a hard year, getting adjusted to some new normals and had an opportunity to go on our yearly visit to an enchanted little nook on the coast of California. Typically, we do this trip without kiddos, but given one of said “new normals”, it was important that we brought our youngest son along with us. We had various commitments throughout our time, but I was able to set aside a day to drop in to my favorites, plus a bonus half day to bring my little guy to some fun stops in Monterey.
But first, Carmel, the quaint town more accurately known as Carmel-by-the-Sea that is filled with storybook moments. We were staying in the Pebble Beach area, so on the short drive to Carmel, I took the scenic route through the meandering streets with little jaunts on 17 Mile Drive to see the painterly coastline views and explore the pockets of rocky beaches.
It is always a wise choice to start a morning visit with brunch at Stationaery. Owned and operated by the sweetest couple, this cozy restaurant is nestled in a quintessentially “Carmel” courtyard and serves up delights using locally sourced ingredients. Their seasonal potato pancake alongside a matcha latte served in the perfectly shaped Luvhaus mugs never fails me. I made sure not to leave without a new set of Alissa Bell stationary.
We ventured out to peek at the works of Joaquin Turner and the neighboring Sabine Adamson Antiques and Interiors to check out her European treasures of the moment - if you’re a textile fiend like me, this one is worth a look. Strolling over to Girl Boy Girl (you will want to make sure you have extra room in your suitcase if you stop in here for a shop), we stumbled upon a newer shop, Somewhere, and were pleasantly surprised to find super fresh and exciting gifts and goods for bigs and littles alike. We finished off our shopping venture with my personal favorite, colorfully curated, House of Cardoon, where it seems impossible for me to leave without at least one new addition to my textile and tableware collections.
We stopped in the perfectly elegant, yet unfussy La Bicyclette for a late afternoon bite. If we hadn’t known any better, we could have easily thought we’d been transported to the European countryside.
For our bonus morning in Monterey, we arrived extra early in order to be some of the first to cruise through its renowned aquarium before it became too crowded. After taking in the sea life, I convince my little guy to humor me with a bit more shopping, this time at Cannery Row Antique Mall. Let me tell you, this place is fascinating from top to bottom and has something for everybody. I left with a new Moroccan rug and set of dishes, and my little guy was thrilled with the vintage hot wheels and old school trading cards for his collections.
We finished our morning with a meal at Alta Bakery, located at the historic Cooper Molera Adobe. Here, the food and baked goods are just as gorgeous as they are delicious.
