The most quintessential Carmel experience is puttering around. Downtown is about one square mile of shops, galleries, and cafés in cottages that look straight out of a storybook, and time spent milling through its charming alleys is not wasted.
The shopping scene leans grandmother-y, admittedly. But there are some standout boutiques that do grandmother at its highest (and highest-end) expression: Foxy Couture is a treasure trove of Hermès scarves and Roberto Cavalli gowns, plus other modern and vintage finds, from Alaïa to Zimmermann. Fourtané Jewelers has a new flagship here, and it’s a stunner, with a Carolina Bucci bead bar and a watch shop down the street. Girl Boy Girl and Paloosh, which operate under the same ownership, feel more contemporary without interrupting Carmel’s cherished current of old-lady eccentricity.
Speaking of eccentricity, the local bookstore, Pilgrim’s Way, has a little of everything but specializes in spirituality and the uncanny. Among beach reads and self-help standbys, you’ll find books on Taoist astrology, herbalism for hair care, and understanding vibrational frequencies.
The best way to see Carmel’s galleries is to pop your head in every door. But if you’re looking for the highlights, prioritize Weston Gallery, Patricia Qualls Gallery, Joaquin Turner Gallery, Monica Graham Fine Art, and the Carmel Art Association.