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Carmel by the Sea - Greatest Place for Photos on California Highway One

Updated on July 18, 2023
Patty Inglish, MS profile image

In many ways, music saved my life, and I have the most famous director of the USMC bands to thank for it!

Monterey Bay Aquarium Jellyfish Exhibit
Monterey Bay Aquarium Jellyfish Exhibit | Source

Whales and Ice Cream on the Pacific

The City of Carmel sits in Central Costal California at the Pacific Ocean, off both Highways 1 and 101. It is much nearer to Highway 1 in beautiful Monterey County.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium here was used as the fictitious Cetacean Institute, where the humpback whales George and Gracie lived for a time in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

The aquarium gained notoriety during the filming and the first run of the film. Today, the aquarium is even more popular. Programs and exhibits have expanded to accommodate an increasing tourist and local attendance.

Back in 1986, many of us were trying to find the film's Cetacean Institute, before the days of the Internet and free cross-country phone calls. People were frustrated, but media publicity (and a WATTS line) finally caught up to them with the correct information.

Source

Clint Eastwood's Ice Cream Days

Another celebrity that makes Carmel - or Carmel-by-the-Sea - famous is Clint Eastwood, who was elected mayor in 1986 and served two years.

In news reports, we heard that at the first Carmel City Council Meeting under his administration, a vote was called on approving a specific flavor of ice cream to be placed for sale in the community.

Supposedly, Mayor Eastwood refused to have the measure even discussed, feeling it a waste of council time. However, I found that a law was on the books that ice cream could not be sold or eaten on the public streets of Carmel and that this law was eliminated during his term.

Carmel is such an interesting and colorful place, with lots of history and scenic beauty!

Clint Eastwood Home in Carmel
Clint Eastwood Home in Carmel | Source

Carmel on the Pacific Coast

A
Carmel, California:
Carmel, CA, USA

get directions

Carmel is on the Monterey Peninsula, east of Pebble Beach, two miles SW of Seaside and Fort Ord Cal. Military Museum. Salinas is two miles further NE.

B
Monterey Bay Aquarium:
886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940, USA

get directions

C
Carmel Point:
Carmel Point, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA, USA

get directions

Home of the Butterfly House

Carmel Point Butterfly House, featured in Architectural Digest 100, A Century of Style. It has wings like a butterfly.
Carmel Point Butterfly House, featured in Architectural Digest 100, A Century of Style. It has wings like a butterfly. | Source

Carmel Began as an Artists' Community

Local Art Installations

  • Carmel Art Festival. A variety of art and musical festivals are held yearly.
  • Center for Photographic Art: Fine Art Photography Exhibitions, Photography Workshops and Lectures. Center for Photographic Art promotes excellence in photography through exhibitions, communication, and education. Historic Sunset Cultural Center.
  • The Nancy Dodds Gallery. This art business features contemporary artists including Beth Van Hoesen, Leslie Toms, Gail Packer, Anita Toney, Stephen McMillan, Stephen Mc Millan, Carolyn Lord, Randall Sexton, Teresa Onoda, Esther Baran, Bruce Botts, and others.
  • Thomas Kinkade Studio in the Garden. This is the first art gallery Kinkade ever opened to the public, way back in 1992. Located at Ocean Avenue Between Lincoln & Dolores.

Carmel Arts Close-Up

A
Thomas Kincade Studio in the Garden:
Ocean Ave. Between Lincoln and Dolores, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA

get directions

B
Nancy Dodds Gallery:
7th and, San Carlos St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA

get directions

C
Center for Photographic Art:
San Carlos at, 9th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA

get directions

Historic1770 Spanish Mission

A third feature that makes the town unique is the Mission San Carlos. Historically important, this mission church was also Number 22 on the list of Greatest Places to Stand in America for Photos, chosen by readers of StoodThere.com in 2009. It is till a favorite of locals and tourists!

The mission served the residents of Monterey in 1770, then of Carmel after 1771, especially local Native Americans, and offered what would become the State of California's first library.

Native Americans of the mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo belonged to a number of separate bands within the Costanoan Language Group that contains eight indigenous languages living on the Monterey Peninsula. These indigenous groups helped to build many Catholic Missions in this part of California. Their history is divided into section periods at their museum.

Click thumbnail to view full-size
The altar of Mission San CarlosMission San Carlos in 1913.
The altar of Mission San Carlos
The altar of Mission San Carlos | Source
Mission San Carlos in 1913.
Mission San Carlos in 1913.
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Same species of cypress at Pebble Beach.Same species of cypress elsewhere on the coast.
Same species of cypress at Pebble Beach.
Same species of cypress at Pebble Beach. | Source
Same species of cypress elsewhere on the coast.
Same species of cypress elsewhere on the coast. | Source

End Points of 17-Mile Highway or 17-Mile Drive

A
Carmel, California:
Carmel, CA, USA

get directions

B
Del Monte Forest, California:
Del Monte Forest, CA, USA

get directions

Scenic 17-Mile Drive

Carmel is adjacent to Pebble Beach to the west, an upscale resort area that is famous among Californians and the world for golf and golf tournaments as well as shopping. However, perhaps the most spectacular feature of the community around Pebble Beach is the scenic route called 17-Mile Drive.

This is a scenic byway next to the Pacific Ocean, full of natural attractions of geography, native plants, and local native wildlife. Some of the examples of plants and wildlife are endangered, threatened, or vulnerable by category and the latter includes the specific species of the 250+-year-old Lone Cypress on 17-Mild Drive. This Monterey Cypress grows only two places in the world - both here in Monterey County, on 17 Mile Drive and at Point Lobos to the south.

Golf Courses

Pebble Beach itself is famous for golf courses and golf tournaments. Our own Jack Nicklaus from Ohio loves the Pebble Beach course, although Pebble Beach operates four additional courses nearby in California. Each course is part of a resort locale, with accommodations, dining, and shopping.

Shopping

Carmel has been chosen as a top Girlfriend's Getaway by southern Californians. See the website at Carmel California. If you go to the downtown district, for any activity, you can enjoy the free trolley car around town and to Carmel Beach as well as the San Carlos Mission.

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Monterey Bay Aquarium, seen in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.Inside the aquarium.Leafy sea dragonBlack sea nettle at the Monteray Bay aquarium.Jelly fish at the aquarium.
Monterey Bay Aquarium, seen in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
Monterey Bay Aquarium, seen in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. | Source
Inside the aquarium.
Inside the aquarium. | Source
Leafy sea dragon
Leafy sea dragon | Source
Black sea nettle at the Monteray Bay aquarium.
Black sea nettle at the Monteray Bay aquarium. | Source
Jelly fish at the aquarium.
Jelly fish at the aquarium. | Source

Monterey Peninsula Sights

  • California Rodeo Salinas: This is the largest rodeo in California.
  • Garrapata State Park. 1 Highway 1, Carmel, CA 93923
  • Historic California Military Posts: Fort Ord

    Fort Ord operated as a permanent installation of HQ Department of the Army, Forces Command. Its overarching mission was to train army troops. It provided command, administration, and logistical support and other functions.

  • (Mazda/Weathertech) Raceway Laguna Sports Car Championships: Actor Steve McQueen raced here in 1959 in a Lotus Lemans XI in the time trials on October 24th. An annual series of racing events are presented year round today at 1021 Monterey Salinas Hwy, Salinas, CA 93908.
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium: 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940. Open every day to 5:00 pm or 6:00 pm.
  • Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum: Free admission. 26 Station Place

    Salinas, CA 93901.

  • National Steinbeck Center in Salinas: The installation's mission is to tell the story of John Steinbeck's literary legacy and to present stories of the human condition.
  • The Steinbeck House: Enjoy lunch and a tour of the historic home and birthplace of John Steinbeck, renowned author of the Salinas Valley.

Historic Salinas Colleges Serving Carmel

  • Central Coast College, 480 South Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901
  • Hartnell College:Hartnell College, 411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901
  • Salinas Beauty College, 916 South Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901
  • Salinas Heald College, 1450 North Main Street, Salinas, CA 93906
  • Wayne's College of Beauty Inc, 1271 North Main Street, Salinas, CA 93906

Views on Highway 1, San Simeon to Monterey

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2011 Patty Inglish MS

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