A visitor's guide written by locals. Insider tips on the best restaurants, hotels, and things to do in Carmel, California.
Are travel itineraries and obligations stressing you out? Carmel’s spiritual sanctuaries, centers and gardens will bring you back to your happy place. Get started with these great spots, which run the gamut from alternative to secular, or set aside a schedule-free afternoon and find your own little oases.
The Secret Garden and Pilgrim’s Way Bookstore
The Secret's Out, Get Your Zen On
Carmel’s only bookstore is a little sanctuary with big ambitions, to help the community and visitors experience holistic well-being and infuse joy into every day experiences. Their books are only the beginning — venture to the back-of-house Secret Garden and get your zen on amongst the fountains and harmonious wind chimes. If you’re visiting Saturday, April 3rd, stop by between 2-4 PM to meet with Landon Shayne, author of Young Manners By A Young Man, or, for $15, you can attend a healing crystals seminar led by Valerie White, a psychic healer, from 6:30-8, Friday April 16th. Not into “new-agey stuff”? Stop by anyways, they’re also a great place to find original gifts and adornments for your secret garden back home.
Meditative Animals, A Peaceful Addition to Your Home Garden
The Church of the Wayfarer Masters Garden
Spend a Few Blissful Minutes in The Master's Garden
The United Methodist Wayfarer has been Carmel’s “neighborhood church” for over 100 years, and they love to include visitors in their 10AM worship, during which childcare is provided. Their Master’s Garden provides a lush, quiet sanctuary for weary travelers, and is conveniently located downtown, making it especially easy to take a few minutes between activities to collect your thoughts and appreciate your trip, the people you get to share it with, and the small moments that occasionally get taken for granted.
The Monterey Bay Zen Center Classes Taught At Carmel’s Carl Cherry Center For The Arts
Cherry Center Photo Courtesy of www.carlcherrycenter.org
Japan’s Soto Zen Tradition lives on through the non-profit Monterey Bay Zen Center, providing locals and visitors with Buddhist meditation classes and seminars every Tuesday night at Carmel’s Carl Cherry Center For The Arts, from 6:30-8:30. And you early birds are in luck; 7AM classes are available Mondays and Thursdays. The first Tuesday night class of each month is free, and more fun and enlightening activities can be found on their calendar. Even if you decide to skip out on their classes, The (admission-free) Cherry Center, which features an elegant sculpture garden and promotes local artists, is a must-see.
The Carmel Mission Parish and Museum
The Historic Carmel Mission Parish Basilica, Photo Courtesy of Carmelmission.com
The awe-inspiring Basilica Church is a National Historic Landmark, and the expansive Carmel Mission’s centerpiece. History buffs can examine the Spanish Colonial Liturgical Art and Artifacts displayed throughout the church, and can continue their education at the nearby Harry Downie Museum, which details the story and significance of the Carmel Mission’s extensive restoration efforts. Additional exhibits and museums are available on their website, and are open to the public 9:30-5PM Monday-Saturday, and 10:30-5PM on Sundays. The active Roman Catholic Parish holds mass throughout the week, and also host weddings, allowing couples to host destination-nuptials without forfeiting a traditional Catholic ceremony.
These are just a few favorites, share yours in the comments!
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Wow, this is great! I’ll have to check out The Secret Garden and get my own xen on
Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for the nice feedback, Xen and Gardener!
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[...] starters, check out The Carmel Mission, The Monterey History and Maritime Museum, The Pacific Grove Natural History Museum, The Monterey [...]