20 Best Beaches in the World
By • Last UpdatedCarmel City Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
“It’s difficult to determine who enjoys Carmel’s beach more: the dogs frolicking off-leash or their ‘pawrents,’ who can admire the renowned Pebble Beach to the north and Point Lobos to the south,” says Kelly E. Carter, author of National Geographic’s The Dog Lover’s Guide to Travel.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, commonly known as Carmel, is a city located in Monterey County, California. Founded in 1902 and incorporated on October 31, 1916, it sits on the scenic Monterey Peninsula and is celebrated for its stunning natural landscapes and vibrant artistic heritage. In 1906, the San Francisco Call dedicated an entire page to the “artists, writers, and poets at Carmel-by-the-Sea.” By 1910, it was noted that 60 percent of the town’s homes were built by residents engaged in the aesthetic arts. The city’s early governance was largely influenced by artists, with several poets and actors, including Herbert Heron, the founder of the Forest Theater, bohemian writer Perry Newberry, and actor-director Clint Eastwood, serving as mayors.
Carmel is renowned for its dog-friendly atmosphere, with many hotels, restaurants, and shops welcoming canine companions. Additionally, the city has some unique regulations, such as a ban on wearing high-heeled shoes without a permit, aimed at reducing potential lawsuits from accidents caused by uneven pavement.