A LOCAL'S VIEW
Seasons of Carmel
CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
Yes, the area is famous for its attractions, but everywhere you turn there is something wonderful to see. It would take more than one visit in more than one season to see them all. These are just a tiny few of my favorites over the years.
All photos by C. Assemi
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Spring
THE LITTLE THINGS
I love April and May when the sea lions, sea otters and deer have their babies, and the Calla Lily Valley callas are in full bloom all the way down to the ocean. The water is a beautiful greenish blue.
Doe and fawn in Pacific Grove.
Calla Lily Valley is a gorgeous sight against the ocean when in full bloom.
Goats are brought in to control grasses along the roads in Pebble Beach.
California's First Theater.
Another favorite outing of mine is to Google the secret gardens of Monterey and "discover" them. It lists historic gardens that are open to the public. Among them you can find California's first theater, the Old Whaling Station, and the First Brick House. Some of the buildings at the Casa del Oro Garden are shops. Walking through them makes me wish time travel were possible.
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Summer
FRIENDS, FAMILY & THE PENINSULA
Summer is about friends and family for me. More people are visiting and I'm showing them the things I love. The water turns greener. The weather really isn't much different year round.
I know it's summer, but still bring a sweater or jacket, the temperature can change at any time.
The House and Garden Tour is in June, which isn't surprising given that the flowers in Carmel are at their best. I have so many photos of flowers over the years it is embarrassing.
Hydrangeas at Carmel Cottage Inn.
Open all year, the farmer's market by Devendorf Park in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Of course the Wharf and Cannery Row are always fun, the Monterey Bay Aquarium was my son's favorite place on earth when he was little. But did you know there is a paved trail between them that goes by the back side of the wharf?
Early morning on the trail between Cannery Row and the Wharf.
The Car Show in Pebble Beach each August is the busiest week of the year. If you are a car buff there are events daily all over the peninsula — if you aren't, you may want to come another time that is less congested. I love when the cars park on Ocean Ave and we get a chance to walk around and look inside these beauties. Even better was sitting along Junipero Ave. and watching and hearing them drive into town.
Antique car driving into Carmel.
When my friends want to go shopping it means thrift and consignment stores. Carmel at the Barnyard, Pacific Grove, and the Last Chance Mercantile at the dump in Marina. Surprisingly, the drive to the dump is beautiful — a tree-lined road with agriculture on both sides. Over the years, I've seen strawberries on the right, commercial flowers on the left.The Last Chance Mercantile is a giant thrift store inside, more furniture out. You never know what you'll find.
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Fall
OUR REAL SUMMER
Fall quiets down a little as kids go back to school and the summer rush is over. Our fall is typically a bit sunnier than the rest of the year and many consider it our "summer" season.
Every October I make the trek to Earthbound Farm Stand in Carmel Valley for the pumpkins, heaps and towers of them in a multitude of colors, sizes, shapes, and totem poles. I wouldn't miss it. Sometimes when I am there, golden eagles fly along the cliffs.
Piles of pumkins and a pumpkin totem pole in Carmel Valley.
The butterflies begin filtering into Pacific Grove in October peaking sometime in December. Even though it is a tiny sanctuary, I wouldn't miss it.
Monarch butterflies at the sanctuary in Pacific Grove.
Then I would take the 17 Mile Drive back along the ocean to Carmel where there is a gate on San Antonio Ave. just a few blocks down from Carmel Cottage Inn. The stops and turnouts are spectacular, There are some spectacular homes and you pass the famous golf courses in Pebble Beach. There is an exit into Carmel that puts you right on San Antonio, just a few blocks from our cottages.
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Winter
QUIET & CLOSE
Winter weather is usually fairly temerate although there can be the occasional cold spell or storm. I grew up in a tiny town so I love that the town plans a Christmas tree lighting ceremony the first Friday in December.
Here at the cottages, we decorate them all for December. They each have their own tree and decorations, some of which I have made. We make and gift wrap gift tags as advent gifts to open each day for our customers' stay. Some take them home, some hang them on the trees. There is a slower pace to the town and you feel more like you have it to yourself.
Moon Gate Cottage decorated for December.
January is one of my favorite months. The water is very blue. I love whales and this is the perfect time to see them spouting off Point Lobos. Once, one was right next to the shore. One time there were about a dozen of them — going back and forth between Carmel Beach and Carmel River Beach for hours. We could hear them singing above water.
On New Year's Day, dolphins were surfing the waves on Carmel Beach. They would surf in, flip and jump back to take another wave.
Dolphins surfing in the waves at Carmel Beach.
You can see Point Lobos from Carmel Beach, and it's a short hop by car. I think it is one of the most beautiful state parks in California. I especially love to drive to the end and hike the Bird Island Trail. There are little keyholes in the rocks, and the water in one inlet looks like an aquamarine gem. I am always scanning for whales spouting as they migrate past.
Vista from Bird Island Trail and Point Lobos State Park.
If ever I felt a rainbow could have a pot of gold, this was it. We were on our way to Point Lobos State Park in February just after a rain and pulled off the road when we saw it.
My favorite rainbow. February, near Point Lobos State Park.
White sand dunes around Carmel Beach on an early winter morning.
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