Carmel Walks — Attraction in Carmel-by-the-Sea

We took a Friday morning Carmel Walks tour with Gael in mid-July, and it was truly unforgettable. Just my wife, our two dogs (a senior sweetheart and a curious little deaf pup), and Gael, who guided us through the charm, history, and whimsy of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

From secret gardens and art galleries to historic dog-friendly hotels and tucked-away courtyards, every stop had its own story. We rang church bells, met kind locals, and wandered through shortcuts and secret passages. As people who love art, architecture, food, and films this had it all!

But what made this tour really special? It helped us slow down. We kept our phones tucked away and just… took it all in. The architecture, the flowers, the stories, the little and big ‘wow’ moments that reminded us to be present. For a few hours, the noise of the world faded, and we were simply in it, wide-eyed and grateful.

Gael is more than a guide, she’s woven into the spirit of Carmel. Her warmth, knowledge, and love for this place shine through, and by the end, you feel a little more enchanted and a little more hopeful about the world.

Don’t miss this experience, especially if you’re traveling with pups. We left feeling lighter, inspired, and more connected to each other. We’re already dreaming of joining another one of Gael’s tours next time...

It was very easy to book the Carmel Walks Tour online and receive information about where to meet. Gael Gallagher is the owner and tour guide and she was absolutely amazing. She had the energy, passion, and love for history with extensive knowledge of the area. She was also very funny as well. We were a small group of 4 and we followed Gael as she brought us into places we wouldn't have known existed, we browsed a couple shops with amazing art work and nice boutique places. I loved learning the history, seeing the fairy tale castles, and getting an idea of where I would want to eat. You will definitely get your steps in during this tour! We highly recommend that you use this tour if you want to dive deeper into Carmel and what...

The best guide hands down! As someone who usually hires a tour guide for a city, I am pretty experienced with guides. Gael hands down blew us away. Her incredible knowledge of the area is presented in a way that is interesting and engaging. She goes above and beyond to ensure a wonderful day.

We ended up hiring her as a private guide for 6 hours, and are so happy we had her to ourselves. She was beyond gracious in lending us materials for us to use on different parts of our trip. We were sad to part ways with her and won't soon forget her generosity and time! Thanks again! Melissa,...