Carmel-by-the-Sea: What’s not to love? This idyllic, European-style village is a place I could call home. I can picture myself living in a cozy cottage in the heart of the town, taking strolls down Ocean Avenue where the shopkeepers know my name, and heading to the white-sand beach at the end of the avenue to watch the sunset.
Upscale yet comfortable, Carmel has plenty of galleries, boutiques, hotels, places to eat, wine tasting, and a fabulous sandy beach. To top it off, this walkable town is super dog-friendly – my kind of place.
Last week, I spent the afternoon in Carmel with a friend. After a delicious lunch at the Patisserie Boissiere Restaurant, she enjoyed pampering with a facial and I hunted for interesting doors.
Please enjoy a few photos highlighting the interesting character of the boutiques, restaurants, and European-style architecture in Carmel.
This post was inspired by Norm Frampton’s weekly feature, Thursday Doors.
Thursday Doors brings door lovers together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world.
Capturing Moments 
Oh I loved the whimsical door at the Breakfast place, and the last weathered door. Carmel-by-Sea is so charming. Sounds like you had a great day!
Thanks so much, it was a great day! I like that quirky, whimsical door too. Carmel is the kind of place you can visit many times and still see and experience new things. Cheers!
It has been forever since we have been to Carmel. I need to go back – and it was so uncrowded!
I’d love to live there too – just need buckets of $$$$!
Ah yes…buckets of money needed to live there. Sigh. Weekdays off-season are the best time to visit.
Have heard so much about this village (since I live in CA), but never made it:) Beautiful doors. Love especially the structured walls of the second building. Yeah, almost everywhere in California, one needs buckets of money!
Thanks! It’s a nice place for a day trip. You can take the 17-mile drive along the coast to see the coast as well.
Am now living 1 1/2 hr. East of Sacrmento, so a whole coast trip would take more than a day:)
From East Sacramento that would be a long day trip!
Such a lovely collection. Not sure I could ever afford to call this place home but it sure is pretty to see. Great finds 🙂
Thank you, Norm. Lots of lovely doors in Carmel. One does need to have lots of $$$$ to live in Carmel. I’ll have to be content with day trips or a weekend stay.
Donna
Carmel is so pretty but sadly I remember so little about the quaint town. Your photos make me want to return.
Thank you. I’m glad you liked the photos!