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Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea History

   For many years, Carmel-by-the-Sea was a small artists' community hidden away on the southern Monterey Peninsula. But in 1986, all that changed when actor Clint Eastwood was elected mayor. Overnight, it seemed that everyone knew where Carmel was. The notoriety threatened to change the seaside town forever, but after Eastwood left office in 1988, the hubbub died down and the city returned to its roots.
   Carmel's history dates back to 1542, when explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo first sighted the region's pine forests and white-sand beach. Sixty years later, Sebastian Vizcaino visited the area and named it El Rio Carmelo in honor of the Carmelite priests who were traveling with him.
   Mission San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo was constructed in 1770, the second in a string of missions that line the California coast. The mission's founder, Father Junipero Serra, is buried under the altar in this Moorish-styled building, which was Serra's favorite of all his missions.
   After the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, a group of artists, writers and musicians moved to Carmel. These "Bohemians" -- whose members included Jack London, Sinclair Lewis and Mary Austin  -- lived on the beach and reveled in the artistic freedom the community offered. In later days, Isaac Stern, Edward Weston and Leon Uris found inspiration from the town, which still boasts a sizable artists' colony.
   Although Eastwood is no longer mayor, he still calls Carmel home, as do more than 4,000 residents who love the city's charming architecture and scenic locale. Carmel is only one mile square, but with storefronts and galleries surrounded by lush woods, meandering roads and fairy-tale cottages, it truly lives up to its nickname: "City in a Forest."

Activities

   Carmel-by-the-Sea features great shopping, fine restaurants and dozens of art galleries. Take a walk down the city's shaded streets to see some of the most unique architecture in Central California.
   Each year, Carmel's artistic community presents events such as the Carmel Art Festival, the Carmel Art Walk and the Carmel Shakespeare Festival. Other annual events include the Bach Festival, which celebrates Baroque music, and the Tomato Fest, where you can sample more than 200 varieties of tomatoes.
   The Carmel Mission, which was built in 1770, today serves as the local Catholic parish. The mission is also a monument to Father Junipero Serra, who is buried beneath the altar. The onsite museum tells the history of the structure and explores the role Serra's missions played in the development of the Golden State.
   There are several beaches in Carmel, including Carmel Beach and Carmel River State Beach. Although the rough waters of the Pacific discourage swimming, these beaches are great for sunning, surfing and scuba diving.
   Garrapata State Park offers two miles of beachfront with hiking trails, redwood forests and a 50-foot climb to a dramatic Pacific view. Sea lions, seals and otters live along the coast, and California gray whales can often be spotted offshore.
   Point Lobos State Reserve is often called the "crown jewel" of the California Park System. Named for the offshore rocks at Punta de los Lobos Marinos, the scenic reserve offers hiking, diving, picnicking, and secluded spots for sightseeing, photography and painting. In the late 19th-century, the area was home to a thriving whaling company, and a small cabin from that era still remains on Whaler's Cove.

Carmel-by-the-Sea Fast Facts

   Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea is located along Highway 1 near the Pacific Ocean, about 76 miles south of San Jose
  *Total area: 1.09 square miles
  *Population: 4,081
  *Housing units: 3,334
   Average annual rainfall: 20.35 inches
   Average temperatures: 62ºF in summer, 51ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census

Schools

   There are five public schools in Carmel-by-the-Sea: two elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools.

Beaches

   Carmel Beach is a white sand beach that's very pretty -- and usually very crowded. The curved beach is popular with surfers and is dog-friendly, although the rough waters prevent swimming and wading.
   South of town, Carmel River State Beach is a lengthy crescent of sand with large rock formations at each end. Although rough waters also make this beach unsafe for wading or swimming, the neighboring lagoon offers calmer water that's perfect for wading and beachcombing. The lagoon is also a natural wetland that's home to a variety of birds, including pelicans, egrets, seagulls, ducks and great blue herons.
   Monastery Beach, also known as San Jose Creek Beach, is located at the south end of Carmel River State Beach. This milelong area is an excellent diving spot for experienced snorkelers and scuba divers.

Maps of Carmel-by-the-Sea

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