Carmel lies immediately south of Monterey, separated by the mountainous Monterrey Peninsula. The southern half of the peninsula is famous for 17-Mile Drive, which loops through the Pebble Beach golf course and along the rugged shore, past Seal Rock and the much-photographed Cypress Point.
To the south of Carmel lies the diverse wildlife habitat of Point Lobos, a world-famous gathering place for elephant seals. Beyond, the dramatically beautiful coast of Big Sur lures visitors along one of the most scenic coastal highways in the U.S., California 1.
The town itself is actually a village laid out in a neat grid that slopes downhill to Carmel River Beach, where waves crash ashore at the southern end of Carmel Bay. Carmel lies to the west of California 1. East of the highway, Carmel Valley Road leads through the eponymous valley where deluxe spa hotels and ranches enjoy bucolic settings. Carmel Mission, which gave rise to the town, is there.
