5 Reasons You Need to Plan a Trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea This Fall
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.
Carmel has always been known for great food, but 2026 has brought a noticeable wave of new restaurants to the village.
One of the biggest new additions is Char Steakhouse Carmel, which opened in July 2026 in the former Cantinetta Luca space on Dolores Street. The new steakhouse brings prime steaks, house-made pasta, pizza and a lounge atmosphere right into the heart of Carmel.
Then there's NORA'S CARMEL, a newer Carmel favorite offering approachable comfort food in a cozy downtown setting. It's the kind of place that makes a great stop after a day of exploring the village, galleries and beaches.
And if you're looking for something a little different, keep an eye out for Banju, the upcoming restaurant from Ashley Wolff, the owner of Jeju Kitchen. Banju is planned for the former Edwin's space at Sixth and San Carlos and is expected to bring a brunch-focused concept to Carmel later in 2026.
That's three new reasons to make your trip a food trip.
So whether you're coming for a steak, a new brunch spot or simply want to see what's new around town, Fall is the perfect excuse to eat your way through Carmel.
Be honest—when was the last time you actually played a round of golf?
Fall is a great excuse to dust off the clubs and head to the Monterey Peninsula. With world-famous courses, incredible coastal scenery and plenty of options beyond the big-name Pebble Beach courses, you don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy a golf getaway.
And there's something pretty hard to beat about finishing a round of golf and then heading into Carmel for dinner and a glass of wine.
Whether you're planning a serious golf weekend or just want to squeeze in a round while you're here, Fall is a great time to put Carmel and golf on the same itinerary.
We love Car Week. We really do.
But once the engines quiet down, the crowds head home and the last classic car rolls out of town, Carmel gets to be Carmel again.
Fall is your chance to experience the quieter side of the Monterey Peninsula.
You can walk around the village without feeling like you're competing with thousands of other visitors. Take your time browsing the shops and galleries, grab a table at a restaurant and actually enjoy the view instead of rushing to your next event.
It's the Carmel locals know and love.
And if you've visited during Car Week before but haven't experienced Carmel afterward, Fall might give you a completely different perspective on the area.
Carmel may be famous for its coastline, but Fall brings a completely different kind of beauty to the area.
One of our favorite signs that Fall has arrived is the tree right next to the Horizon Inn & Ocean View Lodge sign. Every year, as the leaves begin to change, it becomes a little photo stop of its own.
Guests—and plenty of people passing by—love stopping to snap a picture with the colorful leaves and our hotel sign in the background.
It's one of those simple Carmel moments that you might not find in a guidebook, but you'll definitely remember.
So when you're walking around Carmel this Fall, keep your eyes open. The changing leaves, crisp coastal air and golden afternoon light make the village feel completely different.
And if you're staying with us, don't forget to grab that photo by the sign.
After a full day of beaches, restaurants, wine tasting, golf and wandering the village, you're going to want somewhere comfortable to come back to.
That's where staying close to the action makes a difference.
Look for a Carmel hotel with on-site parking, breakfast, comfortable rooms and a location that lets you leave the car behind once you arrive.
At the Horizon Inn & Ocean View Lodge, you can start your morning with a complimentary breakfast basket, spend the afternoon exploring Carmel and come back for the complimentary guest Wine & Cheese Happy Hour from 4–6 p.m.
Then, when you're ready for dinner, you're already close to everything Carmel-by-the-Sea has to offer.
It's the kind of place where you can park the car, settle in and let Carmel be your weekend itinerary.
