Fall in Carmel-by-the-Sea has always been a pretty special time of year. The summer crowds start to ease up, the weather stays beautiful, and the village takes on that cozy coastal feeling that makes you want to slow down and stay awhile.
If you live in the Midwest, you know the feeling of craving a coastal escape the moment winter hits. For travelers from Chicago, the California coast delivers that dream in a way that feels both refreshing and comfortingly familiar. Tucked along the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea offers walkability, culture, incredible food, and ocean views that feel like a reward after surviving lake-effect winters.
When Chicagoans visit the Monterey Peninsula, many quickly discover that staying at Horizon Inn puts them right in the middle of everything they love about this charming village.
For the first time in three years, Highway One has officially reopened—restoring one of California's most iconic drives and reconnecting travelers to the dramatic beauty of the Central Coast.
Each August, Concours Car Week in Carmel transforms the town into a celebration of craftsmanship, creativity, and community.