Are you planning to visit Carmel in the fall? Truly, any time of year is a great time of year to visit…but the fall is extra special. In Carmel in the fall, you will see the leaves just beginning to change, the nights getting cool and crisp, and a wealth of cozy-comforting things you can do.
The iconic Carmel sign at Dutch Door Donuts in Carmel.
*Note that in this case, when we say Carmel, we’re mainly referring to Carmel-by-the-Sea, an incorporated one-square mile of downtown businesses and residential areas, the walkable town center that has the most draw for tourists.
And adding to that thought: We did ALL of these activities on foot, without a car. Carmel is extremely walkable, so put on your comfortable shoes and get ready to explore.
Here’s our list of the Top Ten Things to Do in Carmel in the Fall.
10. Get Cozy
Yes, as we mentioned, fall in Carmel gives you the perfect weather to get cozy. That’s why we always stay at our favorite hotel, Hofsas House, which wins all of the points for coziness. This hotel is located just at the very edge of downtown. It puts you mere steps away from everything, without being in the thick of it.
The hotel is built in a Scandinavian style, in pale pink with folk art adorning the walls.
The front of Hofsas House in Carmel.
We love the family-friendly rooms – including our favorite room #40, a two-bedroom suite with two baths, a kitchen area, and a cozy fireplace. In the morning, you come down to the lobby for a continental breakfast of pastries, fruit, and yogurt – and another cozy fireplace. And at night, you can stand out on the balcony and watch one of the many spectacular fall sunsets over the ocean.
Balconies facing the ocean at Hofsas House in Carmel.
Owner Carrie Theis puts lots of thought and care into her guest’s comfort – and you might just find a personalized surprise in your room; like this special note with wine and chocolate she left for us.
Welcome gift at Hofsas House.
9. Take a Wine Tour
It’s fall; the grapes have been harvested – and now it’s time to taste some wine! Carmel is filled with tasting rooms and we love each of the ones we’ve tried. Sign up for the Carmel Wine Walk and you will get some special “extras.” For example, at Bar Napoli, we got this lovely cheese and charcuterie board for free with our wine tasting by signing up for the wine walk. (And we got a seat in front of the cozy fireplace.)
Making a toast at a wine tasting at Bar Napoli.
Another favorite is De Tierra, a Monterey County vineyard, with a tasting room that’s practically built for a winter day. Get comfortable in the cushy chairs – and grab a blanket – as you settle in for a journey through De Tierra’s delicious (and sustainably harvested) wines.
Wine tasting at De Tierra Vineyards tasting room in Carmel
8. Go on an Art Walk
Carmel loves its art. We are not exaggerating when we say that there’s at least one art gallery on every block in downtown Carmel. You will find just about every style of art represented and then some you didn’t even know existed.
A view inside Galerie Rue Toulouse in Carmel.
Plus, the art isn’t even limited to galleries. You’ll see plenty of exterior art, including this famous Charlie Chaplin mural at the Cypress Inn.
The Charlie Chaplin mural at the Cypress Inn in Carmel.
As for just walking around on the street, look for George Lundeen’s “The Valentine” sculpture of a couple on a bench at First Murphy Park. We also saw art in coffee houses and cafes – some of which was for sale. So you can enjoy it, and even bring it home with you if you can’t bear to leave it behind.
7. Enjoy Local Dining
This item is so big we think it should probably be its own Top Ten List. Suffice to say, there are a multitude of delicious options for dining out in Carmel. For our tour of Carmel in the fall, one of the first stops was the elegant Foray restaurant. In the fall, multiple items feature a special syrup made from Candy Cap mushrooms, a delicacy only found in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. We enjoyed a feather-light brioche made from duck eggs, served with handmade butter and a drizzle of Candy Cap syrup. At the bar, a classic Old Fashioned was out of this world. When we asked about what was the secret, we learned that it was again Candy Cap syrup. Such a special discovery!
The Old Fashioned (with its special secret ingredient) at Foray in Carmel.
Other favorites include Enzo – for cozy patio dining and classic Italian food made with local ingredients; Casanova for perfectly crafted French/Italian dishes; El Bistro By the Sea for fashionable Mexican breakfast and brunches; and Cafe Carmel for all things coffee, bakery, and lunch.
The grilled vegetable panini at Cafe Carmel.
(In the past, we’ve written about some of our other Carmel dining favorites, including Vesuvio, Hog’s Breath Inn, and of course, 5th Avenue Deli for sandwiches before you head out on that big hike.)
6. See the Changing Colors
Carmel is covered with a canopy of trees, so of course fall is a great time to see the changing colors. You can see a variety of trees in downtown Carmel (and crunch on the leaves beneath your feet). And you can also treat yourself to a hike in one of the local parks where you’re sure to see a variety of colors.
If you want to see a more wooded area, head up Mountain View Ave. to get to the start of the Serra Trail in the Mission Trail Nature Preserve. At the end of the trail, turn right on Rio Road and it will lead you straight to the Carmel Mission (where you can enjoy some bonus California history).
5. Go Shopping
Carmel is filled with all sorts of shopping delights for a wide range of budgets. Yes, you can spend thousands of dollars to overhaul your wardrobe in fine Italian wools and linens. On our last visit to Carmel, we helped our husband pick out some new outfits at classic mens’ stores including Carbon California, Faherty, The Club, and Khakis of Carmel.
Shopping at Carbon California.
Looking in the lower budget range? You can find a hundred variations on Carmel-themed t-shirts and sweatshirts. There are also more original ways to indulge. At Nazar Turkish Imports, for instance, you can have fun scouting through a giant chest filled with lovely silk and cotton scarves for only $15.
A giant chest filled with scarves in a riot of colors at Nazar Turkish Imports.
Then there are the adorable stores that you won’t find anywhere else. Jane Austin at Home carries antiques and curiosities for fans of the 18th and 19th centuries. Need a music box? The Carmel Music Box Company is here to help. Looking for general adorable-ness? Check out the Nut Hut (organic and ethically sourced nuts, located in the equally adorable Court of the Fountains) or the Mole Hole (unique and eclectic gifts). (Yes, both are real places.)
The Nut Hut.
4. Get Caffeinated
Whether it’s coffee or chocolate that’s your favorite fall fix, Carmel has plenty of both. To start your day with coffee, you can’t go wrong with Carmel Valley Roasting Co., Carmel Coffee House, or Cafe Carmel. But one of the most unique drinks we tried was the horchata latte at El Bistro By the Sea. It was icy, sweet, and creamy – with a major coffee kick! Definitely a great choice for those warm fall afternoons.
The horchata latte at El Bistro by the Sea in Carmel.
For chocolate, you’ll never go wrong at the can’t-miss and super-adorable Cottage of Sweets on Ocean Ave.
The Cottage of Sweets (built in 1922 as a loom shop) in Carmel.
But if you look a little closer you’ll find some more “hidden” gems. In Carmel Plaza, you’ll find fragrant and beautifully packaged Lula’s Chocolates. And down a little secret alley off Ocean Ave. you will find the Xocolatl Garden, which features high quality, fair trade chocolate bars and products from all across the world.
3. Eat Hot Fresh Donuts
Carmel’s newest donut shop is Dutch Door Donuts, located in Carmel Plaza, the large open-air shopping mall downtown. (Look for the red Dutch door.) What sets Dutch Door Donuts apart? The donuts aren’t made until you order them. So you wait just a few minutes as you watch them being shaped and fried; then you rejoice over your piping-hot fresh donut.
Fresh donuts at Dutch Door Donuts.
Of all the new flavors, we were most partial to the Biscoff Crumble – a donut with a fresh salted caramel glaze and crumbled Biscoff cookies.
2. Check Out Special Events for Fall
What’s there to look for in the fall in Carmel? Lots of special events throughout the season.
Look for:
September, October, November: Carmel Art Walk (second Saturday of every month)
September:
Carmel Sandcastle Contest
October:
Taste of Carmel
Carmel Mission Fiesta
Poodle Day and Poodle Parade (an event featuring parades of poodles benefiting the NorCal Poodle Rescue)
Annual Pumpkin Roll (down Ocean Avenue)
Annual City Birthday Party and Halloween Parade
Poodle Day in Carmel.
November:
Annual Homecrafters’ Marketplace
1. Discover New Surprises
There’s a surprise around just about every turn in Carmel. Whether it’s a little alleyway that you’ve never noticed before… or a special gift you might receive from a merchant, you never know what you might discover.
For instance, you might turn a corner and stumble in to the most adorable alley you’ve ever seen… with a delightful chocolate shop in the back (in this example, Xocolatl). (Carmel is home to 42 charming passageways, so chances are you’re going to stumble into one sooner or later.)
The alleyway leading to Xocolatl chocolate shop.
Or you might walk into a store like Ami, a gift shop in Carmel, and you’ll discover a lovely garden in the back where they invite you to enjoy freshly baked cookies.
Homemade fresh cookies at Ami in Carmel.
No matter where you head in Carmel in the fall, there’s bound to be surprises around every corner. If you find another fall event we should mention, let us know. And if you are heading there any other time of year, check out our “Top 10 Things to do in Carmel in the Winter,” or “Top Ten Things to do in Summer in Carmel.”
Blogger disclosure: Hofsas House treated us to a free stay for the weekend in Carmel. We did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are our own.
Hi! I'm Jeanne Fratello - a writer, reporter, and food enthusiast who is on a mission to write great stories about food and where your food comes from. 
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