Carmel California: Quirky, Quaint, Pet Friendly

Coastal Resort Town Cultivates Upscale, Old-Fashioned Ambiance.

Apr 13, 2009

The residents of Carmel don't give a woof about how the rest of the world operates. The town that once elected Clint Eastwood as mayor lives by its own laws.

The walls of City Hall are lined with lead to make them bullet proof. There are no schools, and many of the houses are second homes that sit empty much of the year. Yet no one who visits Carmel-by-the-Sea leaves without wishing they could afford to live in a community that meets the very definition of "charmed."

Carmel's gorgeous setting, pedestrian-friendly character and rich cultural calendar draw visitors from around the world. They come to shop the upscale boutiques, dine in some of California's best restaurants, golf at nearby Pebble Beach, stroll along blindingly white strands, rest their heads in luxury inns and ogle the Hansel and Gretel-style architecture for which the town is known.

Pet Friendly Reputation Attracts Dog Lovers From Around the World

Many bring their pets: Carmel is perhaps the most dog-friendly resort town in California, if not in America. Mile-long City Beach, within walking distance of the central village, is legally leash-free. Many restaurants allow dogs to lounge beside their owners at patio tables. Leashed pets are allowed in many Carmel shops, as well as in 17 of its 62 lodging establishments. So profuse are pets (and conscientious their owners) that the town provides waste-disposal bag dispensers on every other corner.

Artists' Colony Evolves Into Quirky, Upscale Enclave

The village has always had its quirks. A group of artists fleeing the 1906 San Francisco earthquake bought lots for $40 apiece, erected tents and cottages, and established a colony that eventually would become one of the most affluent enclaves in the country. Real estate prices today are in the stratosphere, with even the rare fixer-uppers going for $2 million plus.

Money has its privileges - including the luxury of preserving the old-fashioned ambiance cherished by residents and visitors alike. Houses in Carmel have names, not numbers. Mail is delivered to the post office, rather than door to door. There are no stop lights or fast-food outlets anywhere in the village, and architectural lighting is forbidden in residential yards. One archaic law still on the books forbids the wearing of high heels on grounds they are hazardous for walking on what used to be cobblestone streets. Visitors in the know can go to City Hall and pay $1 for an official high-heels permit that makes a memorable souvenir.

About that bullet-proof City Hall: It seems that Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood, who served as mayor in the mid-1980s, had the material installed because he feared that some deranged fan might take a potshot at him during a meeting.

Activities Center on Coastal Scenery

Clint might be gone, but Carmel continues to capitalize on a "brand" synonymous with elegant living. Outside of dining and shopping, most visitor activities center on the coastal landscape. City Beach, at the foot of town, is a close-by scenic treat. The famous 17-Mile-Drive through neighboring Pebble Beach can consume half a day if you go slow and either stop for lunch or bring a picnic. Point Lobos State Reserve and the city of Monterey offer an additional array of attractions.

The copyright of the article Carmel California: Quirky, Quaint, Pet Friendly in California Travel is owned by Janet Fullwood. Permission to republish Carmel California: Quirky, Quaint, Pet Friendly in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.