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Carmel by the Sea

Updated on July 31, 2014

Carmel-A Memory by the Seashore

Carmel By The Sea
Carmel By The Sea | Source
The Beach's Bounty'
The Beach's Bounty' | Source

Fiction or Fairytale

One of my favorite places has always been the delightful town of Carmel, California. It is situated on Carmel Bay and often referred to as "Carmel by the Sea". Created at the beginning of the 20th century by a developer who marketed the community to artists, writers and professors, the Village of Carmel is quaintly nestled in a pine forest above the spectacular white-sand beach. Much like the charmed cottages out of a fairytale, each dwelling is a simple, often-handmade cottage nestled in a forest of live oak and Monterrey pines. Its residential streets lack sidewalks and streetlights because both are banned. Instead of street numbers, houses display names like No Worries, Lilliput, or Dog House.

Carmel with Claire

When I was young, fond memories of collecting the ocean’s tiniest shell perfections stands out as a favorite day trip with my Mother. With her huge Jackie-O sunglasses in place, my Mother Claire smiled and lead me down to a sparkling waterfront stage.

The fine grains of warm sand massaged our feet as we walked and finally covered our toes completely as the waves teased us with such a salty spray, serving up a frothy shore lined with treasures from the unknown depths of a little girl’s imagination. My bright hot pink bucket was brimming with the most unique charms from the sea. Smooth driftwood remnants, beautifully colored glass polished by the magically salty water, abalone pieces and intricate little shells, once home to a sea creature. We returned to our motel quite satisfied after a day of shell shopping Carmel style. My Mother never looked so beautiful and I would freeze this moment in time if I could. Ah sweet memories....

My dining palette that night, quite under developed even for a pre-teen, craved something a bit tastier, perhaps sweeter than the ocean served up. The unrecognizable meals listed on the menu, dimly lit by candlelight were of no interest, even if I could pronounce them. Instead my attention was fixated on the appealing dessert tray which circled by us periodically. This brings me to my second Carmel obsession: tiny hand crafted miniature cakes known as petits fours. These tiny French cakes were like none other, and I spent the rest of my summer trying to duplicate, but to my dismay, not even Susie Homemaker could assist.

Storybook Cottages

Once Upon a Time in Carmel
Once Upon a Time in Carmel | Source

Sweet Memories

Petitefors anyone?
Petitefors anyone? | Source

Carmel's Favorite Memory Makers

Where
Activities
Distance from Carmel
Cost
Point Lobos State Reserve
Nature/ Wildlife Areas; State Parks; Beaches; Hiking Trails
12.4 miles from city center
Car is $8 while walk-ins are free
Carmel City Beach
The pristine white sandy beach at Carmel is a nice place for a picnic, to fly a kite or catch the rays
0.2 miles from city center
Free
Borromeo del Rio Carmelo Mission
Missions, Religious Sites, Architectural Buildings, Historic Sites
0.8 miles from city center
Free
Carmel Country Inn
Not only allow pets, but they are actually pet friendly -- providing such luxuries as dog beds, complimentary dog treats and personalized water bowls
2.3 miles from city center
$195 per night and up
Chateau Julien
Wine tasting, Group tours/walking tour
6.1 miles from city center
Free
Carmel Valley Ranch Golf Course
Lush green course has some of the most dramatic tee shots in California.
7.0 miles from city center
Not cheap....

Remembering a Fairytale

An original event or a memory, seasoned to my aging taste buds and a need to remember things this way? Like so many experiences that I revisit as an adult, I wonder how much is reality and how much is but a warm-hearted recollection that gives me a sense of well being. In life, we reflect on what we recall, who says it can’t be selective, and more importantly, who cares. I am finding that we create our own traditions and memories, tweeked or otherwise. My cup overflows with grief, pain and regret, I see and hear about so much suffering in our world, my heart is heavy. I focus instead on altered visions in my mind at times, embracing the imagination of innocence, like that of a young girl still unspoiled. Life can be more like a fairytale if we just believe.

Carmel by the Sea

A
Carmel, California:
Carmel, CA, USA

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