🇺🇸 My Honest Thoughts After Visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea...

Not a clickbait! Before arriving, my expectations for this legendary fairy-tale town were sky-high—I once believed it to be the most beautiful stop on the US Highway 1 road trip. But honestly, I felt a little disappointed 😔. It didn’t quite live up to the hype, though objectively speaking, it wasn’t bad at all. The main reason might be that the photos I saved from popular travel notes 📕 were just too stunning, making the actual place seem... average. It’s nowhere near as charming as Solvang (the Danish Village). That said, if you manage your expectations, Carmel is still a lovely getaway—with its Mediterranean and English-style fairy-tale architecture, it’s quite artsy and cozy. So, keep a calm mindset! 🚗 My Route: 📍 Downtown Carmel I wandered and photographed during the golden hour 🌇. Instead of chasing popular spots, I randomly explored streets and shops—and still got some great photos 📷. 📍 Carmel Beach After strolling through the small town, I walked west to the end of Ocean Avenue and reached the white-sand beach for sunset. The blue waters 🌊 under the twilight glow looked incredibly romantic 🌹! For dinner, I tried the seafood feast at Flaherty’s Seafood Grill 🦞. Their Delvin Cyriac (fried squid) and Grilled Seafood Platter were absolutely delicious—highly recommended! 💡 Final Advice: Don’t set your expectations too high! Remember, there’s always a gap between reality and filtered photos. With a relaxed mindset, it can still be a pleasant trip. #TravelImpressions #TravelDiaries #TravelTips #CarmelExperience