Carmel is known for its year-round moderate climate. Backed by mountains and enclosed within a bay, it has its own microclimate marked by changeable weather patterns. Typically, winter days are clear and crisp beneath bright blue skies, and evenings are chilly. California's Central Coast fogs roll in during late spring and early summer, blanketing Carmel in chill; the fogs, however, burn off by midday, and afternoons are sunny and warm. By autumn, the fogs disappear and Carmel basks in gorgeous sunshine. The Carmel Valley is typically immune from the coastal fogs.
The average annual temperature is 64 F/18 C, with an average high of 68 F/20 C in summer with an average winter high of 61 F/16 C. Spring and fall months offer the best weather, with an average high of 78 F/25 C.
What to Wear
Elegantly casual is the order of the day in Carmel, where the locals are laid back. You'll want a swimsuit for the beach in the warmer months, and a wind-proof jacket is a good idea any time of year. Layering clothes is the best way to deal with varying temperatures throughout the day, especially in summer when mornings can be chilly and afternoons, hot. You'll want something dressy for dining at the fancier restaurants and bars. A handful of places even suggest jackets for men at night.
