Thread: Drive down to Carmel...any sights worth seeing?

So I'm headed down to Carmel this Sunday from the peninsula for the day and I was wondering if anyone had any sights or spots that they would recommend worth seeing. Anyone recommend any spots to have lunch down there? Hopefully I could catch a few exotics zooming by

It should be a good weekend for spotting in Carmel! Make sure to scan all of the side streets in downtown. The local exotics tend to stray a block or two from Ocean Ave. Also check out the big resorts along the 17-Mile Drive, if you don't mind paying the ridiculous toll. Bruno's Deli is great for lunch, and is just a block from Ocean Ave. Some of my non-car-week recent spots include a Jag XKR-S, MBZ SLS Roadster, and a Bentley Continental Supersports. Photos here: Flickr: Nick.George's stuff tagged with carmel

Originally Posted by nickgeorge25

It should be a good weekend for spotting in Carmel! Make sure to scan all of the side streets in downtown. The local exotics tend to stray a block or two from Ocean Ave. Also check out the big resorts along the 17-Mile Drive, if you don't mind paying the ridiculous toll. Bruno's Deli is great for lunch, and is just a block from Ocean Ave. Some of my non-car-week recent spots include a Jag XKR-S, MBZ SLS Roadster, and a Bentley Continental Supersports. Photos here: Flickr: Nick.George's stuff tagged with carmel

Do they reimburse your toll fee if you eat at a restaurant along the 17 mile road? Thanks for the tips!

Bahama Billy's is a great place for lunch. Killer garlic bread. Its at the intersection of Carmel Valley Rd and Hwy 1.

I personally would head down 1 toward Big Sur for a nice cruise rather than 17mi drive.

Also a nice scenic short drive is between the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Pacific Grove. Right along the water, multiple stops to take some nice pictures.

Stop by Capitola on your way down. But I would take 101 and get down there as fast as possible and spend the day down there.

Originally Posted by SpecB

Bahama Billy's is a great place for lunch. Killer garlic bread. Its at the intersection of Carmel Valley Rd and Hwy 1.

I personally would head down 1 toward Big Sur for a nice cruise rather than 17mi drive.

Also a nice scenic short drive is between the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Pacific Grove. Right along the water, multiple stops to take some nice pictures.

Are you talking about Ocean View Blvd by the Aquarium?

Originally Posted by RAWMEAN

Stop by Capitola on your way down. But I would take 101 and get down there as fast as possible and spend the day down there.

Anything particular you would recommend seeing in Capitola besides the view by the water?...Was planning on taking 101 since I would like to spend most of my time down there.

Do you guys suggest taking the 17 mile drive? I was checking out the street view and besides the roads by the water it doesn't seem that appealing to me. Unless of course there are going to be exotics down there...which I would probably have to wait till the Concourso for that to happen.

There are a handful of high-end restaurants at Pebble Beach that will reimburse the toll. Definitely not recommended for a day trip, though. Most of the time, you will see an exotic within "the gates", but there have been days where I've driven/biked for hours and saw nothing notable. Downtown Carmel, in the late afternoon/evening, and on weekend with nice weather... that's your best bet. It's all about timing, as for anywhere else!

Originally Posted by nickgeorge25

There are a handful of high-end restaurants at Pebble Beach that will reimburse the toll. Definitely not recommended for a day trip, though. Most of the time, you will see an exotic within "the gates", but there have been days where I've driven/biked for hours and saw nothing notable. Downtown Carmel, in the late afternoon/evening, and on weekend with nice weather... that's your best bet. It's all about timing, as for anywhere else!

Definitely not trying to drop some serious cash on just lunch. Will probably stop by Bruno's Deli for a quick sandwich. I googled Bahama Billy's and it seems to be closed...Will be on the lookout for some exotics though! Maybe I'll be lucky enough to spot a cali



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Originally Posted by Yanky

Are you talking about Ocean View Blvd by the Aquarium?



Anything particular you would recommend seeing in Capitola besides the view by the water?...Was planning on taking 101 since I would like to spend most of my time down there.

Do you guys suggest taking the 17 mile drive? I was checking out the street view and besides the roads by the water it doesn't seem that appealing to me. Unless of course there are going to be exotics down there...which I would probably have to wait till the Concourso for that to happen.

Do you like paying to see other peoples houses and a view you can see for free just about everywhere else?

Yes, it's Ocean View Blvd. It's not a bad drive, minimally less scenic than 17mi dr. Not much different than what you'll see near the Cliff House in SF, but it's still a beautiful drive.

For Capitola, it's a beautiful little town with plenty of restaurants and places to check out but not for a drive thru....how do I know...?

Originally Posted by RAWMEAN

Stop by Capitola on your way down. But I would take 101 and get down there as fast as possible and spend the day down there.

Homegrown in Capitola


As far as Bahama Billy's....seems they recently dropped the "Billy's" from the name, but are still the same restaurant.

^True. I'll take the drive down Ocean View Blvd. Thanks for the advice!