A Weekend in Carmel 🌊🌅

Carmel is an area located on the Monterey Peninsula in Central California. As visitors, we often spend time in a part known as Carmel-By-The-Sea. Driving from the South Bay to the peninsula on weekends usually means some traffic on Highway 17 or Route 1 🚗💨. By the time we arrive, it’s already noon—so first things first: grab a bite! I’d recommend a seafood spot called Flaherty's. I love the vintage vibe inside 🏮, and the prices are reasonable—around $50 per person. The hostess’s t-shirt had a fun message: "Live longer, love longer, last longer" 😄 Their paella is steamed till tender—not exactly Valencia-style, but perfect for Asian taste buds. The charcoal-grilled oysters are huge 🦪, topped with spinach and garlic—so fragrant! The cod omelette is another must-try—super tender inside. All three dishes are generously portioned. The address is Dolores & 6th Avenue. Fun fact: In Carmel-By-The-Sea, none of the houses have numbered addresses 🏡. That’s because when the town was built, the artists behind it decided against using house numbers! They open at 11:30 AM and stay open till late. It gets pretty packed after 12 PM, so if you don’t want to wait, either come early or go after 1 PM. There’s also a cute store that sells Jellycat toys 🧸. You’ll know it when you spot the big sunflower in the window 🌻—I finally got to touch a chameleon stuffie! Over the weekend, there was a sports car exhibition in Monterey & Pebble Beach 🏎️, and even the streets of Carmel were lined with Ferraris, Lamborghinis... all kinds of fancy rides. But now that I’m in my middle age, I’m more about getting a pickup truck 🛻, towing a small RV, and enjoying a peaceful life by the lake fishing 🎣, walking the dog 🐕, and just soaking in the quiet. #Carmel #CarmelByTheSea #WeekendGetaway #BayAreaWeekends