scape the Bay Area! A Fairytale Half-Day Trip to Carmel & 17-Mile Driv

Another Sunday waking up at noon—time for a spontaneous coastal adventure! This time, we’re heading to Carmel-by-the-Sea + 17-Mile Drive, the most enchanting combo on California’s coastline. 🚗 Route & Parking: From Santa Clara, drive 1.5 hours south via Highway 1 to reach Carmel. Parking tip: Spots in town are limited—start hunting as soon as you enter! 🏘️ Carmel-by-the-Sea This storybook village revolves around Ocean Ave, where every corner looks like a European watercolor painting—no street numbers, flower-lined alleys, and whimsical cottages make it a photographer’s dream. Stroll through boutique shops, galleries, and eateries. Top picks: 🌟 ElizabethW (Pic 3): A Jellycat paradise! Snagged the adorable ukulele plushie. Prices are $3 more than online, but instant gratification + handpicking the cutest "face" is worth it! 🌟 Porta Bella (Pic 4-5): A gorgeous Italian restaurant with a Provençal-style patio. Must-tries: grilled shrimp skewers, pasta, crab bisque—authentic and delicious! 🏝️ 17-Mile Drive A $11.25 toll road winding through Monterey Peninsula’s jaw-dropping coastline. Don’t miss: 🌟 Lone Cypress: The iconic lone tree clinging to a cliff—California’s most photographed cypress. 🌟 Bird Rock: A seagull-covered island (warning: intense for trypophobes!). 🌟 The Restless Sea: Watch pelicans glide over crashing waves—ephemeral and wild! #BayAreaWeekend #DayTrip #CarmelByTheSea #17MileDrive #CaliforniaCoast #Highway1 #FairytaleTown #JellycatHunter #BayAreaKids