Podiatrist in Carmel Valley, CA

An essential stop on any California road trip and a place that could just as easily — and enjoyably — be done as a separate getaway, Carmel-by-the-Sea is an utterly enchanting small town on the Golden State's Monterey Peninsula. And by small, we mean tiny. It’s a pocket-sized village covering a single square mile. But within the minuscule footprint sits heaps of history, cinematic beauty, and fairy-tale charm.

This exclusive seaside enclave has lured authors, actors, and artists since the turn of the 20th century. Writers Jack London and George Sterling were among the early residents. Lots of other literary talents, including Mary Austin and Sinclair Lewis, have lived in Carmel-by-the-Sea over the years. Photographer Ansel Adams built his own little dream house in the 1960s. Doris Day and Joan Fontaine both happily called it home for decades. And one of the most famous residents, Clint Eastwood, put down roots in 1972 and become mayor by a landslide in 1986. The enduring creative spirit lives on, but there’s a more manicured, established quality these days.

Another thing that lingers from the past? A sort of quaint, stuck-in-time appeal that eschews the modern edicts of street addresses, home-mail service, and parking meters to block the citification of things.

Carmel-by-the-Sea has at least to some degree — and sure with many residents still dragging their heels — embraced its status as a tourism darling. Today, the downtown area is home to wonderful galleries, storybook cottages that would tempt Hansel and Gretel, high-end shops, restaurants, and, of course, the historic Carmel Mission. It’s also marvelously dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your pup. Outside of the main drag are beautiful beaches, coastal trails, and scenic drives.

Best Time to Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea

Because Carmel-by-the-Sea enjoys a moderate climate, you’re promised wonderful weather all year round. That said, the fall — which locals often refer to as the “secret season” — is one of the best times to visit because of the warm, sunny days and crisp evenings that invite you to cozy up with a glass of local wine by an outdoor fireplace. Monterey Car Week, which takes place in August, is one of the most exciting automobile events in the country. Classic car enthusiasts and collectors come from all over to show off and admire priceless vehicles, collect memorabilia, peep new models, and attend lavish parties.

Best Things to Do in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Because of its small stature and walkability, you can cover much of Carmel-by-the-Sea in a day or two, though that wouldn’t leave much time for wandering the side streets and discovering the hidden gems that await around virtually every corner. Bopping to the many galleries is a beloved pastime. The Carmel Art Association, Bennett Sculpture Carmel, and Galerie Plein Aire are treasure troves of original works by local California artists.

True to fashion for this mass market-resistant community, the shopping scene in Carmel-by-the-Sea supports independent boutiques. The historic Carmel Mission — a must-see for first-time visitors — as well as the Carmel Heritage Society and Carmel Public Library Foundation host cultural events throughout the year. If you’re interested in sampling local wine, there are some nice tasting rooms in town. Carmel Beach is a renowned spot for surfing, photography, and simply soaking in the splendid scenery. The bluff path runs 3.5 miles from the ocean to Carmel River State Beach. Head south to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve to glimpse a diversity of marine creatures. And you can’t go to the Monterey Peninsula and not do the 17-Mile Drive, a scenic road through Pebble Beach that winds past iconic landmarks like the Lone Cypress and Bird Rock.

Where to Stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea

For such a small town, Carmel-by-the-Sea has a wealth of lovely places to spend the night. Befitting this adorable destination, the accommodations mainly fall into the category of quaint inn.

Located just steps from Carmel Beach, The 1929-built L'Auberge Carmel, a Relais & Châteaux property, is fashioned after a luxurious European country hotel. It’s elegant yet easygoing and not overly fussy. La Playa Carmel exudes a sense of serenity with its peaceful back gardens. The rooms and suites with views of the ocean are particularly pleasant. A halcyon hybrid of a bed-and-breakfast and boutique hotel, Coachman's Inn supplies 30 spacious rooms that ooze homespun charm. The Hideaway is a reimagined 24-key bolthole with Craftsman architecture and contemporary, coastal-chic decor. Guests also rave about the wine and cheese happy hour. Tickle Pink Inn lures a steady stream of couples who return for the romantic ambience as well as rooms with wood-burning fireplaces and outdoor hot tubs. Meanwhile, the stylish, adults-only Villa Mara feels like a spot where you'd celebrate an anniversary or just go away for the weekend to ignite sparks. Keen to experience the more pastoral side of Carmel-by-the-Sea? Check out the Mission Ranch Hotel and Restaurant. It’s great for an overnight stay and just as lovely for an afternoon drink or dinner.

Where to Eat and Drink in Carmel-by-the-Sea

With direct access to Monterey Bay and a climate that allows for year-round farming, Carmel-by-the-Sea benefits from the endless seasonal bounty. Not surprisingly, many of the most beloved restaurants highlight local seafood, produce, and meat. Warm and relaxed with flavorful Oaxacan-inspired fare — from fan-favorite pork cheek mole to more adventurous eats such as chapulines (grasshoppers) — and hard-to-find mezcals, Cultura Comida y Bebida is not to be missed. Homemade specialties like moussaka and lamb gyros steal the show at Dametra Cafe, a lively Mediterranean eatery right in the heart of town. The Michelin-rated longtime neighborhood haunt, La Bicyclette puts a Cali spin on European bistro deliciousness. Steak au poivre and wood-fired pizzas are among the many menu standouts. For a casual lunch or dinner filled with palette-pleasing plates from around the world, you can’t beat Treehouse Cafe. And Aubergine, the perfect choice to celebrate a special occasion or just up the ante on date night, provides guests with a superb tasting menu, refined presentation, and impressive wine list. Located at L'Auberge Carmel, the acclaimed restaurant often draws comparison to other Michelin-starred establishments.

CARMEL – Taking a walk along the Cabrillo Highway Tuesday, D.L. Johnson watched crews tackle yet another lot of downed power lines in Carmel, toppled by a tree-turned-roadblock by high winds and saturated soil.

Through the latest parade of storms, Johnson has considered himself lucky – he’s kept his power and avoided structural damage to his Carmel-by-the-Sea home from frequently fallen vegetation. But after weeks of high winds and repeated downpours, he’s wary of how long the storm upheaval is going to last, locally and statewide.

“For most of us, it’s been scary,” he said. “The wind has been incredible. …I actually saw one of those trees fall down on a street nearby. I heard a big crack, looked up and there it went – right onto somebody’s home.”

Like much of California, Monterey County remained in the thick of not just storm recovery but consequences Tuesday and Wednesday, even as the heaviest showers that were forecasted for early in the week petered out of the region. Widespread road closures carried on around the county from flooding and debris, while wariness over flooding near a still-rising Salinas River prompted new evacuation orders and warnings for South Monterey County by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.

“This is the most extreme event I’ve seen in more than a decade,” said Kurt Going, who’s lived in Monterey County since 1994.

Also out surveying storm damages in Carmel Tuesday, Going drove down from his Carmel Highlands home to look at the rain’s aftermath near Carmel River State Beach. Going said the last time he experienced a storm similar to conditions of the last few weeks was in 1995 when flooding forced the Highway 1 bridge over the Carmel River to shut down, resulting in the complete elimination of access to portions of Carmel Valley, Carmel Highlands and Big Sur for days.

“I stopped by the Carmel River (Monday), and it was crazy,” said Going. “It was really rockin’ and rollin’. I’m not sure when it crested, but just seeing all the trees coming down (the river) was something I hadn’t seen before.”

Late Monday morning, the Carmel River at Robles del Rio rose rapidly to nearly surpass its major flood stage of 13 feet before beginning to recede through the afternoon. Monday’s peak – 12.69 feet – is the second-highest crest recorded for the river over the past three decades, according to historical data from the National Weather Service.

“I’m not in any danger where I am,” Going said, “but if I lived on the river lowlands, I’d be concerned.”

Rising above banks – and flood walls installed to keep the river contained – the engorged waterway flooded Carmel Valley, where overflow stretched onto not only roadways but into houses and backyards.

Evacuation orders issued Monday for low-lying areas near the Carmel River were still in effect as of Wednesday afternoon.

“The flooding was pretty extensive,” said Matthew Lumadue, a fire prevention specialist with the Monterey County Regional Fire District.

As part of the county’s storm response, the Monterey County Regional Fire District has been actively engaged in preparing, supporting and rescuing local residents heavily impacted by the storms, including those living near regional rivers and creeks that threatened to – and often did – flood this week. Lumadue said that in Carmel, the fire district supported sandbag operations, residential evacuations and rescues of residents caught in flooding.

“There were a few people that stayed behind during the evacuation orders. We were able to get in there and get them out safely,” said Lumadue.

Adding that the fire district is likewise retaining an active presence at the Pajaro and Salinas Rivers, where flooding concerns also prompted quick exit from people living closeby, Lumadue said “the agency is staying at the ready 24/7 so we can respond where and when we’re needed.”

Speaking to current conditions in Carmel, county spokeswoman Maia Carroll said emergency operations damage teams were out at the Carmel River evacuation areas Wednesday assessing risk to public health and safety should residents be allowed to return. Assessments, Carroll said, could take several days.

“It’s hard when you’re living in a zone that doesn’t look like it got much damage, but the Carmel River (flooding) was significant,” said Carroll. “We have to make sure that it’s safe for them to go back.”

An area of particular concern is Scenic Road, the main waterfront drive in Carmel. For days, Scenic has been closed to the public after a section of the roadway was undermined by high surf conditions.

“It’s precarious, to say the least,” said Barbara Buikema, general manager of the Carmel Area Wastewater District.

Apart from inciting closure, erosion under Scenic caused the Carmel Area Wastewater District to shut off water and sewage to six houses along the roadway to avoid a potential sewage spill onto Carmel River State Beach, Buikema said.

Jim Guyette, who lives in one of the six houses bordering Scenic now cut off from basic utilities, said Scenic “looks like it’s going to collapse.” Guyette has been staying with a friend in Pebble Beach while repairs are made, but he hopes a solution is on the horizon.

“Scenic is such an iconic spot,” he said. “To not have that around would be a huge detriment. And public access to Carmel River beach is really important. And it’s a safety issue.”

More recovery and cleanup

Around 28,000 residents were still under evacuation orders or warnings Wednesday, according to county estimates, from the Pajaro community down to San Ardo.

Flooding concerns Wednesday focused on the Salinas River, which was forecasted to surpass its minor flood stage Thursday afternoon and continue rising into moderate flood territory through Friday. Nicholas Pasculli, the county’s communication director, said flooding from the Salinas River had already started Tuesday south of King City and near Soledad.

“We’re actively watching and monitoring the river now,” Pasculli said. “Public safety is our number one concern. Evacuation orders are in effect (along the river) because we do anticipate some level of flooding from west of Highway 101 up to Spreckels.”

Meanwhile, up in North County, levees along the Pajaro River underwent minor repairs by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency, shoring up the levees’ integrity for storms going forward.

The long closure of Highway 1 in Big Sur down to San Luis Obispo County continued Wednesday – and likely will for a while – though a small portion of the state highway from Palo Colorado Road in Carmel to Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn reopened.

Caltrans spokesman Kevin Drabinski there is no estimate for reopening the rest.

“As long as we continue to see consecutive approaching storms, we’re going to continue our response efforts,” he said. “As that progresses, we may move into assessment mode and be able to identify specific areas of damage and how long repairs may entail.”

So, what’s next?

While locals might have seen some light rain peppering the Central Coast Wednesday, the region can expect a small period of dry skies Thursday. But then, all too familiar showers are posed to make a comeback.

Warren Blier, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Monterey, said California’s next storm system will begin rolling through Friday morning. Rain will persist into the weekend – with a possible break sometime Sunday – but extend through Monday, Blier said. The oncoming slate of weather systems could bring anywhere from 1.5 to 2 inches of rain to the Monterey Peninsula. In higher elevations, precipitation totals could reach 5 to 5.5 inches, according to Blier.

As has been the case through the onslaught of storms battering the state since late December, winds will accompany rainfall, though Blier said gusts this weekend “will not be to the level experienced recently.”

Since Sunday, the wettest spots in Monterey County – primarily over the Santa Lucia Mountains – have collected 4.5 to nearly 7 inches. The greatest precipitation total amassed over the last 72 hours was recorded at Mining Ridge, which clocked in 14.7 inches of rain. A station at Big Sur reported 5.68 inches of rain in three days, while the areas around the Peninsula recorded more than 1.5 inches.

From the start of the water year on October 1, Monterey Airport has accumulated 12.37 inches of rain, and Salinas Airport has collected 7.72 inches as of Tuesday.

Though seemingly relentless, Blier offered a possible end in sight to California’s torrent weather. Looking to next week, Blier said National Weather Service forecast models indicate storms to stop – for at least a few days, maybe a week – around Thursday, Jan. 19, or Friday, Jan. 20.

“It’s kind of hard to say how long that will last, but we’re kind of seeing an end in sight to all this wet weather we’re experiencing,” said Blier.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 15, 2022, ONE Carmel, the luxury real estate investment project of DL Holdings in the San Francisco Bay area of California, held a groundbreaking ceremony. More than 100 political and business guests, investors and developers from Monterey County and Carmel attended the event. The groundbreaking ceremony and cocktail party were attended by Monterey County Board of Supervisors Mary Adams, Luis Alejo, Chris Lopez and Wendy Root Askew, Dave Potter, the mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea and guests from the Carmel Valley Association, the Carmel Valley Trail & Saddle Club and the Carmel Valley Chapter of the California Dressage Society.

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"ONE Carmel will be built into an intelligent and sustainable diversified community, connecting families and global investors with the same visions while benefiting and giving back to the local residents and community of Carmel. We will preserve and rebuild the memory and glory of Carmel Valley, September Ranch, and make ONE Carmel a new link between people. This will be a new starting point and a new start for DL's investment in North America," Ms. Crystal Jiang, the founder of DL Holdings and ONE Carmel, said when delivered the ceremonial speech.

At the ceremony, Mr. Andy Chen and Ms. Crystal Jiang, the founders of DL Holdings, John Zhou, and Victor Ai, the partners of DL Holdings, Wei Huang, the project director, representatives, investors and service providers, together with Mary Adams, Monterey County Board of Supervisor, and Jim Morgens, the former owner of September Ranch, started the largest and most important residential project in Carmel with a golden shovel which symbolizes sunshine and success.

The predecessor of ONE Carmel is September Ranch, which is a local landmark and historical memory. The design team not only retained the iconic red barn of September Ranch, but also specially designed a brand-new logo to permanently preserve this memory.

ONE Carmel recently became a Diamond Sponsor of the Menlo Charity Horse Show which is one of the finest equestrian events in the United States with a history of more than 50 years. ONE Carmel not only shares the same love of horses but also the passion of philanthropy with Menlo Charity Horse Show. As a nonprofit organization, the Show provides funding to numerous charities, including Planned Parenthood and Amigos De Las Americas. Its current charitable partner, Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, was founded in 1936 and is the premier resource for individuals with vision loss in the area.

As the night falls, the cocktail party began with beautiful singing from the Carmel High School choir. The project team built a luxurious tent on the soft sand of the original arena and showed the guests the promising future of Carmel with music, art, and food.

As a famous musician, Vicky Wang has been trying to contribute to the community through musical performances. She and the young performers of her music summer camp dedicated three classical and modern songs to the audience, expressing their ardent expectations for Carmel's future development.

Through the white gauze drapes, the red barn and green valleys were the natural stage and beautiful background. The freshly baked, handmade Italian pizzas, appetizers, desserts and cocktails let everyone enjoy the natural harmony of music, food and beauty.

The highlight of the cocktail party was a short film, which not only showed the breathtaking scenery of ONE Carmel, but also told the story between the interviewees and Carmel with their deep love for this land in the past five years. Mr. Jim Morgens recalling his horse-riding vacation with his father here thirty years ago, Enzo sharing his experience of placing his home and restaurant in Carmel. DL's lawyers elaborating their deep feelings of witnessing the development of the project for decades, everyone was impressed by the relentless efforts and firm beliefs of the DL team, and the promising community philosophy that ONE Carmel would bring in the coming future.

Just 10 minutes from ONE Carmel, there was the annual Pebble Beach Automotive Week, one of the most attractive and liveliest events near Carmel, held in the Pebble Beach. The construction of ONE Carmel will bring even more excitement to Monterey County in the future.

About ONE Carmel and DL Holdings Group.

ONE Carmel is a real estate development project for an 891-acre land (3.6 square kilometers) located at the South of San Francisco Bay Area, near San Francisco and Silicon Valley, with an exclusive collection of 73 world-class estate homes and average lot size of 4.38 acres (18,000 square meters). Nestled in the hills and ocean views of Carmel Valley, this gated luxury community is powered by the most advanced A.I. technology, solar power and clean energy system, independent water circulation network, high-speed fiber-optic Internet service, exquisite community clubhouse, 24/7 exclusive butler service, 20-acre exclusive equestrian center, private hiking trails, campsites, etc. The project is within 2 hours drive to San Francisco, 1.5 hours drive to Silicon Valley, and only 10-minute drive to the renowned beach city Carmel-by-the-Sea and legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links, the No.1 golf course in America.

DL Holdings Group is a leading multi-family office and investment platform in the Asia Pacific region, focusing on serving Hong Kong's rapidly growing listed companies and corporate families. Over the past 12 years, we have been dedicated to identifying and nurturing the development of those companies with excellent potential and quality. We have also placed a strong focus on helping our entrepreneurial family clients to develop their inheritance structures and execute global asset allocation, to successfully achieve cross-cycle corporate development and inter-generational family wealth succession.

SOURCE DL Holdings

Some 17,350 Monterey County residents remain impacted by evacuation orders and warnings as a new cold front arrives Saturday, Jan. 14, bringing with it reminders of caution and continued orders to residents not to return home until evacuation orders have lifted.

New evacuation orders were issued at 1pm on Jan. 14 for a 10-mile stretch of the Carmel River, from Rancho San Carlos Road to the northwest and Klondike Canyon Road to the southeast. The area includes neighborhoods that were evacuated due to flooding earlier in the week.

The Carmel River at Robles Del Rio exceeded flood stage of 8.5 feet, with a height of 8.8 feet recorded at 1:15pm Saturday afternoon. A hydrologic forecast from the National Weather Service shows the river reaching 9.4 feet this afternoon before going down again.

The community of Pajaro also remains under evacuation orders. A new evacuation warning was issued in North County for the community of Las Lomas along the Pajaro River at noon on Saturday, Jan. 14.

The Pajaro River has receded since Monday, but is rising again and is forecast to reach 25.2 feet Sunday afternoon. Flood stage for the Pajaro River is 32 feet, but weather officials list 25 feet as the "action stage" to be vigilant.

In addition, evacuation orders remain in effect along the Salinas River from the ocean at the northwest to Gonzales at the southeast.

Along the Salinas River in South County, evacuation orders remain in effect for San Lorenzo County Park and between King City south to San Lucas.

The Salinas River at Spreckels reached flood stage on Thursday night, but did not ultimately flood major roadways that could have had the effect of cutting off access to the Monterey Peninsula, creating the effect of making it into "an island." Many road closures related to flooding, slides and other debris remain in effect and officials encourage people to avoid non-essential travel and to abide by all road closure signs.

The latest hydrologic forecast shows the Salinas River at Spreckels remaining in the "action stage" at least through Wednesday, Jan. 18. The large Salinas River watershed and sandy river are unpredictable, and water can take days to flow downriver from the many tributaries that feed into it.

Evacuation warnings remain in place throughout a geographic spread in Monterey County. Areas with warnings include Moss Landing, along the old Salinas River channel; low-lying areas along the Big Sur River; and in Salinas in the Bolsa Knolls neighborhood and the Sherwood Lake Mobile Home Park and Rancho Salinas Mobile Home Park adjacent to Carr Lake.

As of 8am Saturday morning, there were 116 people utilizing the county's shelters. Many local hotels are also offering discounted rates to evacuees.

The National Weather Service forecasts scattered rain for the next two days. "Rain finally subsides by Monday afternoon/evening," according to a forecast update at 1pm on Saturday, Jan. 14. "Isolated to scattered showers and storms possible this afternoon and evening, main risks being localized heavier downpours and a few lightning strikes."

For continued updates on evacuation areas and road closures, check the Monterey County Office of Emergency Service's storm page.

Pickleball is the sport of the year, LeBron James’s latest pet project, and the healthiest way to shake off those post-pandemic cobwebs, no matter how old you are. Most picklerballers play at public parks or in their driveways but one California resort is giving pickleball the luxury treatment.

Carmel Valley Ranch, already a top 50 tennis destination, recently unveiled a pickleball program complete with pickleball pros, pickleball workshops and dedicated pickleball courts. The picklepalooza is part of ongoing enhancements at the 500-acre property in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains on the Monterey Peninsula.

Played with perforated polymer balls and rectangular paddles on a court roughly 1/4 the size of a regulation tennis court, pickleball is simple to learn, gentle on the joints and easy on the ego, too. I like to say it’s like playing “field ping pong.” If you can swing a paddle—dink!—you’re a pickleball player.

But Carmel Valley Ranch knows there are levels to conquer. With four brand-new pickleball courts and a full roster of pickleball programs, the resort helps pickleball players at every ability sharpen skills, from serving and net play to advanced spins and slams. Among the offerings: Dinking Divas, a pickleball drills clinic with warm-ups and a focus on fundamentals before some live play with mixed groups. The Ranch also has bi-monthly mixers, mostly for locals but open to all, that bring doubles players together to mingle and make friends with fellow pickleball obsessives. Players are matched by skill level.

Head tennis instructors Chris Myrold and Ben Gottenberg, in partnership with Peter Burwash International (PBI), bring the same high-quality instruction to pickleball as they do to tennis teaching. Carmel Valley Ranch guests can book private one-hour lessons, at $40 an hour, or play in group sessions.

In June 2019, Carmel Valley Ranch unveiled a property-wide refresh that included a new Market & Creamery, new culinary spaces; redesigned suites loaded with smart-room technology; updated meeting and event spaces; and an overhaul of the golf clubhouse on the Pete Dye-designed bentgrass 18-hole course. The Ranch also expanded its experiential programming that now includes cheese-making classes, falconry, salt blending, beekeeping and herding.

But it’s pickleball that’s getting the buzz at the moment. The activity continues to be America’s fastest growing sport, growing in 2021 to 4.8 million players in the US, according to the 2022 Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Single Sport Report on Pickleball. USA Pickleball reports a 14.8% growth from 2020 to 2021, following a 21.3% growth in 2019, with an 11.5% average annual growth rate over the past 5 years. Although it’s often considered a retirement sport, the average age for all players continues to drop, to 38.1 years old in 2021, a decrease of 2.9 years from 2020Growth of total participants from 2020 to 2021 was the fastest among players under 24 years of age, according to USA Pickleball.

Carmel Valley Ranch is set on the “sunny side” of the Monterey peninsula amid scenic foothills, lavender fields, vineyards, and old-growth oaks. The resort features 181 suite in a gorgeous oasis shared with mule deer, great horned owls, turkey vultures and majestic hawks. Honestly, California doesn’t get much more beautiful than this.