Carmel-by-the-Sea - Walking Tour of Ocean Avenue

For an interactive map of Carmel walking tours please visit GPSmyCity here.

Welcome to Carmel-by-the-Sea! The following video is a synopsis of what you will see on this walking-tour. 

This tour was designed for those visitors who arrive in our quaint village on a tour bus. Tour buses park at the corner of Junipero and Ocean, behind the  Carmel Plaza.  Tour bus drivers usually give their passengers one hour to enjoy Carmel on their own. It is truly impossible to see Carmel in one hour but if that is all you have this tour is for you.

This walking tour is meant as an overview providing a variety of options, don't expect to see them all in one hour.  I have listed a number of suggested stops from cafes, to shopping, charming courtyards, to art galleries, and wine bars. Many other businesses that you will pass, I have listed by name and linked to a web site if available.   Window Shopping Ocean Avenue will hopefully leave with you with a good impression of our town and encourage you to come back another time and stay longer.

Begin your tour by crossing Ocean Avenue.  You will be avoiding the "tour bus traffic" by heading down the north side of Ocean toward the beach.  Look for the big green area, this is Devendorf Park named after the Father of Carmel-by-the-Sea, James Franklin Devendof.

Besides a bust of Frank, we have memorial monuments to those who have paid the highest price for our freedom from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. 

A memorial to 911 with an I-beam of the Twin Towers sits at the northwest corner of the park.  There is a public restroom at the northeast corner of the park behind

the statue of another important figure of our community, Saint Junipero Serra.

At the southwest corner of Devendof park is one of the largest trees in the Village, a Coast Live Oak.

From this edge of the park, cross Mission Street to  Palomas Home Furnishing.  This stucco and tile building began its life in 1932 as Graft's Carmel Dairy.  The original dairy sign is painted to the right of the front door.

Well almost the original.  In 1933 the sign was damaged when a driver lost control and ran into the side of the building.

Above the door notice the iron light fixture which is really original to the dairy.  Earl Graft ran the dairy for 27 years. Next, this prime corner spot was the ever popular, as well as aromatic location of the Mediterranean Market for over 48 years.

Today it is Palomas Home Furnishing, a store filled with one of a kind hand crafted products such as hand blown glass to reclaimed teak furniture.  The owners of Palomas are also happy to create a piece to match your specific needs.  Just ask.

Just past Hedi's Shoes, is Wyland Galleries where you will find not only Wyland undersea artwork     but Michael Godard's take on food and drink such as Mr. Smooth shown below.

When you see Mona Lisa looking down at you from her coffee cup you are at Cafe Carmel Coffee House.

The front window is always seasonally decorated with delicious treats,

and breakfast is served all day,

  If it is not too busy,  stop here for refreshments  before continuing down Ocean Avenue.

Out in front of Cafe Carmel is a large wooden newspaper stand which will have the Pine Cone, our local newspaper, and other free items related to the downtown area.  Pick up copies to read later.  

Continue to the end of the block past Pamplemousse Women's Boutique, Mark Areias Jewlers, Augustina's Clothier (one of two locations), and the Coach "outlet."

In the next block pass Coast Carmel and Galerie Rue Toulouse to the Carmel Drug Store located under the green awning.

Carmel Drug Store is located in the Poeble-Leidig Building which was built in 1907 to house the stores of Carmel's central business district.  In the middle of the block the Palace Drug Store opened, complete with marquee lighting. In 1910 the Palace became the Carmel Drug Store.  Fifteen years later Carmel passed an ordinance restricting the size and style of all store front signs.   For some reason the Carmel Drug Store sign was left along with the marquee above.  This is the only neon light in Carmel-by-the-Sea.  Look up, it is still there.  Not lit of course. 

If you are in need of any odds and ends, toiletries, postcards, or over the counter remedies, The Carmel Drug Store never lets me down.  One day I needed white out for a project.  Not willing to get in the car and drive to CVS, I walked down to the drug store and they had exactly what I needed.  I like to say that between Bruno's and Carmel Drug Store, Safeway is redundant, kind of. 

But with no time to waste, we continue - pass Jewelry Atelier, and Sotheby's to Whittakers of Carmel.

Whittakers features local artists, lots of dog needle point pillows, French linens and Carmel quaint whimsical paintings and posters by Willa Aylaian.  

Continue down this block pass Fine Art Turkish Gallery to the former location of Carmel Forecast. This storefront is in the middle of renovation and will be opening as Carmel Classics Warehouse soon. This historic building was built in 1939 as the Bank of Carmel, the outside of this building features two bas-reliefs by Paul Whitman. 

 Look both ways then cross Dolores. Actually pay attention whenever you cross the street here. I try and make eye contact with the drivers of the cars and smile.  The business in front of you is Alain Pinel Realtors.

Built in 1905, this structure served as Carmel's first official City Hall.   The flag pole is a replica of the original erected on June 6, 1917.  

Make your way down this block past Gold Elements (go ahead and take the free sample you can use it later), Jim Miller Art Gallery, Mimi's Secret Scarf Gallery, Tamara G Fine Art, The Grill On Ocean Avenue, Bohemian Boutique  and the Harrison Memorial Library  (don't you wish you had more than one hour? - please come back we have so much to offer).

The Harrison Memorial Library was designed and built by M. J. Murphy in 1926.  If you want to see the Daffodils and Freesia in bloom, come visit in March - and thank Carmel Garden Club!  

At the corner of Ocean and Lincoln check your time on the Rolex clock outside Fourtane Estate Jewelry.

As you cross the street you are heading to your right mid block toward the Pine Inn wrought iron arch. The iron work of this arch was done by John Hudson a local blacksmith in 1975.  His wife Monica is an author, historian and local tour guide.

To the right of the arch is  Preferred Properties and Carmel Road wine room.  If you are interested in buying a home in Carmel please stop in and chat with Carol Crandall of Preferred she has a way of making this process so easy.

Enter the Pine Inn Courtyard and Passageway.

and pass Fjorn Scandinavian

and you will arrive at the Pine Inn Gazebo.  

The sign outside will say Il Fornaio.  

Inside the Gazebo, which was added to the Pine Inn in 1973 by former owner Carroll McKee, is Il Fornaio Panetteria a bakery and deli serving, among other things, coffee, panini and pizza.  

Guests of the hotel and locals gather daily at the large round table in front of the fireplace.  

. Off the Panetteria is the main

 dining room for Il Fornaio
the Pine Inn restaurant.

The Pine Inn was originally built on the corner of Ocean and Broadway (now Junipero)  in 1889 as the Hotel Carmelo. Owners, Devendorf and Powers, decided to bring their hotel guests closer to the ocean, so they placed the hotel on pine logs pulled by mules and moved it to its present location at Ocean and Monte Verde in 1903.  Things were simpler then.  

After the Hotel Carmelo was moved in 1903, M. J. Murphy was hired to enlarge the hotel and add a sun room in the south west corner.  On July 4, 1903 the hotel reopened as the Pine Inn.  The sun room is now part of Il Fornaio, a cozy room that offers great sunset views. 

 No time to cook, if you happen to drop by between 4 and 6PM Monday through Friday check out their Happy Hour.  

Walk back through the restaurant toward the gazebo and make a right through the door after the bar area. 

 This will take you to the lobby 

of the Pine Inn Hotel.  

The current owners, Richard and Mimi Gunner, working with their decorator, Max Davis from Honolulu, have brought back an elegant feel of years gone by.  But there is no time to sit and day dream, we still have the other side of Ocean Avenue to explore.

Exit the Pine Inn via 

the wide red carpeted stairway.  

Turn right (south toward the ocean) then turn left at the corner of Monte Verde and cross Ocean Avenue toward the two story building of clinker brick and stucco with half timbering and a blue gabled roof.   This building was built in 1924 for Dr. Amelia L. Gates, a pediatrician, as a retirement investment property.

Today it houses  Heart Beat Boutique. Pass this and walk down the east side of Monte Verde under the Casa de Carmel Inn sign. 

Next door is  Carmel City Hall.  This building began life as All Saints Church.  But that was not the beginning of All Saints Church.  Church services were first held in the Bathhouse (this no longer exists) at the foot of Ocean Avenue then moved in 1907 to the basement of the Pine Inn.  In 1911 church services were moved to the stage of the Forest Theater on Mountain View and Santa Rita.  In 1912 services were moved to Miss Tilton's studio at San Carlos and Sixth. Until finally in 1912, Frank Devendorf came to the rescue of these wandering church services and offered this lot on Monte Verde between Ocean and Seventh for a permanent church building. 

All Saints Church designed by San Francisco architect, Albert Cauldwell and built by Carmel's very own M. J. Murphy was completed in 1913.  Outgrowing this location, the church moved to their present location southwest corner of Dolores and Ninth in the 1940's.  In 1946 All Saints Church on Lincoln was sold to the City of Carmel to be used as their City Hall.  

Walk back toward Ocean Avenue on Monte Verde and turn right into the parking lot of the Casa de Carmel Inn.  This is the Monte Verde Street entrance to the historic Court of the Golden Bough.

Just to the right of the building covered by trumpet vine is a sign that says "No Parking, No Handcarts, Pedestrians Only." Climb the short peach colored stairway, (really it is okay to do this)  make a quick left, then right and left again...

 

to enter the lower courtyard of what used to be The Golden Bough Theater. To the right is Jane Austin at Home with its wide array of cards and curiosities.  Mon Amie Women's Consignment Boutique.  On the left is the building which was originally the Golden Bough Theater.  Here find Alexander-Smith wine room and our newest Italian restaurant Il Tegamino.  Il Tagamino has a tiny indoor presence, the tables shown below are set when the weather cooperates for outdoor dining - your dog of course is welcome.

The Golden Bough Theater came about because a man by the name of Edward Kuster (at the suggestion of his first wife Una Jeffers) left a successful law practice in Los Angeles and moved to Carmel in 1919.  In the early 1920's he decided to open an experimental theater and professional drama school in the Village.  He hired Lee Gottfried who had built his home on Carmel Point (a mere two blocks from his ex-wife Una's) to build the theater. The Golden Bough opened in 1924 with rows of wicker chairs as seating.

During a production of By Candlelight on May 19, 1935 the neat rows of wicker chairs became kindling for the fire that destroyed the theater.  Arson was suspected but never proved.  

In 1941 Kuster opened another Golden Bough Theater (this time at its present location on Monte Verde between Eighth and Ninth). On May 21, 1949 during a performance of By Candlelight, the theater burned down again.  This time overhead lighting was blamed.

Continue walking through the courtyard

 to the front of Alexander-Smith wine room

 look above to see the sign 

Court of the Golden Bough.

Climb the stairs and walk through the archway in between, American Crafts and Jewels and Jolie by the Sea to  the upper courtyard. 

You are standing behind the Carmel Weavers Studio (also constructed by Lee Gottfried). 

The Carmel Weaver Studio began life in 1922 on the southeast corner of Ocean and Dolores and in July of 1923 it was rolled on logs a block and a half down Ocean to its present location where as well as being the Weavers Studio, it "moonlighted" as the ticket booth for the Golden Bough Theater.

Today the box office window for the theater sits at the back of the Cottage of Sweets which has been selling yum yums since 1959.

When Edward Kuster planned his theater he envisioned it surrounded by small shops with a medieval European style.   Kuster commissioned M. J. Murphy to build the cute pastel pink building with mini turrets in 1923 that today is the home of Venofye Skin Care.

Walking  east up Ocean (toward the Bus stop) you will pass the eastern border of the Court of the Golden Bough. This building built for Kuster by Lee Gottfried in 1925 today is the home of Porta Bella and The White Rabbit.  The White Rabbit houses one of the largest collections in the world of items dedicated toward all things Alice in Wonderland.  I suggest not counting on their clock to give you the accurate time.

Pass Mediterranean Restaurant and Carmel Valley Roasting Co., 

to  Carmel Bay Company on the 

southwest corner of Lincoln and Ocean Avenue.  

Cross Lincoln toward the brick building with rust awnings, 

this is home to  Demetra Cafe where you will always find a line out the door waiting for tables. 

Because of the popularity of their first restaurant, business partners Faisal Nimri and Bashar Sneeh took over two long time restaurants on Ocean Avenue, Merlot Bistro and PortaBella.  Both have undergone renovations and reopened.  Merlot Bistro is now the aforementioned Mediterranean and PortaBella which has retained its name.

Next up on this block will be Boatworks another ever changing unique shop, this one dedicated to nautical items and fine cigars.  Next door Burns Cowboy Shop, headquartered in Salina Utah, Burns Cowboy Shop is the oldest same family owned (since 1876) western retail business in the world.

Pass Carmel Bakery Coffee Co., Pat Areiars and then turn right in the middle of the block to enter Der Ling Lane, it will be under the Thomas Kinkade Garden Gallery sign.

 This is another one of our "secret" passageways.
If the gate under the sign is open, enter...

During the winter months when the sun sets early, the twinkle lights add a magical glow to the archway.  Pass B & G Jewelers, where you will find high quality jewelry - they also do custom work and repairs.

Pat Areiars and B & G Jewelers share the store that was originally named Der Ling, hence the name of the alley Der Ling Lane.  Der Ling was owned by Hallie and Adolf Lafrenz who decided on the name after a buying trip to Peking in 1920 where they met Chinese Princes Der Ling.

At the end of the alley is the inner courtyard with a cute English style cottage. The artist Thomas Kinkade was so enamored by this cottage that it became the subject of his sold out collectors piece "Studio in a Garden." Today this is the Thomas Kinkade Studio in the Garden.

To the left of the entrance of Thomas Kinkade Studio in the Garden is a wrought iron gate decorated with grape bunches.  Pass through the gate and turn right to

Galante Vineyard Tasting Room.  At Galante Tasting Room you may taste about six different varietals which are grown on Jack Galante's Ranch in Carmel Valley. By the way, Jack's great grandfather was Frank Devendof, of Devendorf Park fame.  

From Galante Tasting Room do an about face and pass the side entrance of the Rodrique Gallery, 

home of the famous Blue Dog.  The Blue Dog, is Tiffany, artist George Rodrigue's companion for 12 years. Tiffany is now attempting to reunite herself with George through the Blue Dog.  She turns up all over town.

The patio of Rodrigue Gallery opens onto Piccadilly Courtyard where you will find a public restroom.

Exit Piccadilly Courtyard at Dolores Street. Look to your right across the street and find the fairy tale style building with the red and white striped awning.

This is The Tuck Box.  Constructed by Hugh Comstock in 1927, it was first used as a restaurant in the early 1930’s by the name of Sally’s. In the early 1940’s two sisters from England opened a small tea room in the building, which they named The Tuck Box.  Hugh Comstock built a cluster of 11 fairy tale style homes in the Comstock Historical Hill District of Carmel.

From the Tuck Box head north toward Ocean Avenue.  This short half block has three wine tasting rooms!   Figge Cellers is inside the Winfield Gallery, and Trio Carmel (wine and olive oil) is next door to Lan de luz Linens, where you can have beautiful linens machine embroidered, and finally Caraccioli Cellars.  Most wine bars do not open to 1 or 2PM.

At the corner of Dolores and Ocean, turn right.  The Bus Stop is three blocks away.  But there is still a lot to see.  Pass Paloosh which carries Laundy, BCBG, Juicy Couture, Nicole Miller, Lacoste and more. And while I am name dropping, next is Lloyd's Shoes which carries, Anyi Lu, Eric Michael, FSNY, Jeffrey Campbell, Rebecca Minkoff, Sam Edelman and more.

Between the two signs that say, The Club (which carries designer clothing)  is an archway which leads into the Las Tiendas building.  Built in 1929, the stairway, tile and grill work are all original.

Follow the brick path to Carmel Coffee House, almost the last place to get a cup of  coffee or snack before getting back on the bus.  Almost...

Keep going past the Carmel Coffee House just a wee bit further to Robin Winfield's Gallery.  She is a long time Carmel resident and creates stunning contemporary art.  

Back out on Ocean between Kris Kringle of Carmel, where it is Christmas 365 days of the year and A W Shucks Cocktail and Oyster Bar is the Doud Arcade.

An arcade is a covered passageway with shops on both sides.  Which is exactly what you will find here, 12 shops, 2 restaurants, and an ATM machine (near the entrance to the right).  Need to check your time?  There is a large clock on the wall opposite Wicks and Wax.

The Doud Arcade is filled with shops to explore the Sockshop of Carmel, Nazar Turkish Imports... 

Amelia's, Robin's Jewelry, and Artemis Boots. Another reason why you need to come back to Carmel, there is just so much to see. And you haven't even left Ocean Avenue.

Anyway, at the end of the arcade is Carmel Belle.  This IS your last opportunity for a cup of coffee or snack before running for the bus.

Exit Doud Arcade at San Carlos, turn left up the street toward Ocean, past Nico Restaurant, Sanctuary Vacation Rentals, and Keller Williams Realty.  At the corner is Laub's Country Store the second and last place to purchase something that says Carmel.

Cross San Carlos to Carrigg's Of Carmel.

Decorated from floor to ceiling,
this store changes with the seasons...

 and is worth a walk through if time permits.

From Carrigg's you will pass Bittner Fine Pens and Paper, and  Kurtz Culinary.  At Kurtz you will find tasting samples spread throughout the store. Try their wine jelly, jalepeno jelly or apple butter.

Next pass Adam Fox, Romanoos Fine Jewelry, Star Child, Jazzy Sassy Apparel, Carmel Sport to Jewels on Ocean.  If you have a dog or cat in your family, you might just need to turn right on Mission (if there is still time on the clock) and go to Diggity Dog.

They have numerous outfits in

 all sizes for your furry friend. 

And even if your dog minds, they don't mind at Diggity Dog how many outfits you try on. This store also changes with the seasons.

They always have plenty of treats 

for you to bring home to Spot.  

If there is no time for Diggity Dog, cross Mission and you are back to the Carmel Plaza in front of Tiffany and Co.

Continue to the end of the block past the statue and fountain to where your bus is waiting.  At least we hope it is still waiting.

Thank you for visiting! Until next time, Happy Adventures!

***************

For an interactive map and guided walking tour covering this and many of our other  tours please be sure to download the GPSmyCity App from the iTunes store.  The  App covers an extensive library of articles and walking tours from over 470 cities worldwide, and now features articles from  Adventures of a Home Town Tourist covering Carmel and Monterey (with more cities on the way).  Click the City Walks logo below to get your free App today. 

Get our App in the iTunes App Store

*The App is free, though a small charge will apply to activate some enhanced features.

____
Photos

Black and White Photo of Carmel Dairy - Monica Hudson, Images of America Carmel by the Sea, Arcadia Press, 2006, p. 47.  Photo from Pat Sippel Collection.

Black and White Photo All Saints Church on Monte Verde between Ocean and Seventh, Sharon Lee Hale, A Tribute To Yesterday, (Valley Publishers 1980) p 63, Photo by George Cain.

Black and White Photo of inside of Golden Bough Theater 1925 from Pacific Repertory Theater files.

Black and White Photo of inside Golden Bough Theater after fire in 1935 from Pacific Repertory Theater files.

Black and White Photo of the Carmel Weavers Studio and Golden Bough Ticket Booth from 1923 from Pacific Repertory Theater files.

All other photos L.A. Momboisse www.carmelbytheseaca.blogspot.com