For golfers visiting Pebble Beach, the final putt doesn’t have to signal the end of the day. Just minutes from some of the country’s most celebrated courses, Carmel-by-the-Sea offers an easy way to turn a day on the links into a full evening of food, wine, cocktails and coastal scenery.
The best part? Once the clubs are put away, there’s little reason to get back in the car. The compact village is made for wandering, with tasting rooms, restaurants, tucked-away courtyards and boutique hotels all within an easy stroll. And when the sun starts to dip, Carmel Beach is just a short walk away.
Celebrate with a great meal. A good round deserves a meal to match. At the newly opened Char Steakhouse, go big with a 32-ounce Tomahawk Ribeye carved tableside. At Chez Noir, the Michelin-starred restaurant serves its famed caviar-topped funnel cake, along with a caviar martini at the bar. And if you’re not quite ready to retire the competitive spirit, head to Seventh & Dolores for its late-night Flip & Sip. Correctly call a coin toss and your drink is 99 percent off!
Make the 19th hole a wine walk. Carmel’s walkable tasting rooms make it easy to trade the traditional clubhouse drink for a stroll through Monterey County wine country. Along the Carmel Wine Walk, stop at Caraccioli Cellars for acclaimed sparkling wines, Dawn’s Dream Winery for small-production, female-founded pours or Galante Vineyards for estate-grown Carmel Valley wines.
Sip, relax and stay awhile. For those who consider a sunset drink the ideal end to a round, grab a patio seat at Bud’s for views, live music and a burger that has earned a loyal local following. When the evening calls for something livelier, Barmel offers craft cocktails, curated music and a buzzing atmosphere. And golfers looking for a more traditional watering hole can head to Brophy’s Tavern, an unofficial favorite among players and people who work on the courses throughout Monterey County.
Extend the stay. The newly renovated Wayside Inn and stylish Stilwell Hotel put visitors within steps of the village’s restaurants, shops and tasting rooms. For a more luxurious stay, Carmel Beach Hotel and L’Auberge Carmel offer distinctly different takes on the Carmel experience. Guests at Carmel Beach Hotel can unwind with a treatment at Spa Adeline, the village’s only hotel spa, while L’Auberge is home to Aubergine, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant.
Keep the competition going. If one round isn’t enough, head to Link’s Club, Carmel’s sports bar and entertainment destination. High-tech golf simulators equipped with PXG clubs let players tee it up on bucket-list courses or challenge friends to a closest-to-the-pin competition. Once you’ve settled the score, stay for seasonal bites, 10 craft beers on tap and a selection of local wines.
With world-class golf nearby and a village that comes alive after the clubs are packed away, Carmel-by-the-Sea makes a strong case for lingering a little longer. After all, the best part of a golf trip doesn’t always happen on the 18th green. Learn more at carmelcalifornia.com.
