Carmel (115)Join us for a visit to Carmel-by-the-Sea, the quaint artistic town on the California coast. Thanks to a local government that has passed protective laws banning live music in pubs and eliminating individual house addresses in Carmel, the community has maintained its small town charm.
Carmel is a renowned haven for photographers seeking beautiful vistas near the ocean and in nearby Point Lobos State Park. Catch up with Rod Dresser, one of the area's top photographers, as he coaches students on the finer points of his craft.
Check out some of Carmel's accommodations, which range from quaint and comfortable to the ultimate in luxury. Visit Belle Charmante, a modern rental cottage, or soak up the atmosphere at Stonepine's designer cottages, which include a chauffeured Rolls-Royce among the amenities.
Carmel Facts:
- Many artists and writers who were left homeless by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake relocated to Carmel.
- The Esselen Indians originally inhabited the area.
- In 1986 actor Clint Eastwood was elected mayor of Carmel, capturing 72 percent of the vote. He was paid a monthly salary of $200 and served for two years.
- Hugh Comstock (1893-1950) was known as "Carmel's builder of dreams." He built more than 20 homes in Carmel.
- There are more than 60 hidden courtyards in the town of Carmel. A two-hour walking tour through secret pathways and hidden courtyards costs about $20 per person.
- The average home price in the Carmel/Pebble Beach area is about $883,000.
- In 1932, photographer Edward Weston (1886-1958) formed a group called "f/64" in Carmel. Among the members were renowned photographers Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, Willard Van Dyke and Sonya Noskowiak.
- Rates for cottage suites at Stonepine range from $400 to $1,000 per night. There are also many special packages available.
Contact Information:
Stonepine Resort
150 East Carmel Valley Road
Carmel Valley, CA 93924
831-659-2245
www.stonepinecalifornia.com
Resources:
Carmel Area Reservation Service
888-434-3891
www.carmel-california.com
Cottages by the Sea, The Handmade Homes of Carmel, America's First Artist Community
by Linda Leigh Paul, Radek Kurzaj
Edward Weston: The Last Years in Carmel
by David Travis, et al
