Despite its small size, this charming village, famous for its storybook English-style cottages, could easily fit inside Central Park or even Beverly Hills’ Triangle district. But don’t let its tiny footprint fool you. What it lacks in square mileage, it more than makes up for with a wealth of quirks that make it truly one of a kind.
Nestled well north of Los Angeles, Carmel-by-the-Sea is the perfect weekend escape from city chaos. As stated on the town’s website, its early founders were determined to keep things from becoming too “citified,” famously rejecting house-to-house mail delivery in favor of a single, central post office. That tradition lives on: to this day, there are no street addresses, parking meters, or streetlights, and sidewalks only exist downtown.
So, how do you find your way around? Directions here are still given as “the fifth house on the east side of Torres Street, green trim, driftwood fence,” or by the whimsical names most homes go by, like “Hansel” or “Sea Urchin.” By the way, in Carmel, changing the name of a cottage is said to bring bad luck…
But that’s not all: If you’re planning to stroll through town, don’t just pay attention to the house names, keep an eye on what you’re wearing, too. Those brand-new stilettos you’ve been dying to show off? They might actually land you in hot water.
Carmel’s municipal code bans wearing shoes with heels higher than two inches unless you have a permit. While the police don’t enforce this quirky rule, it was introduced back in 1963 to protect heel-wearers from uneven sidewalks and tricky tree roots that could cause nasty tumbles. Nobody’s against you slaying your outfit, they just want to keep your ankles safe!
The town’s commitment to simplicity carries over to its food scene, which is highly regarded for quality ingredients and craftsmanship. And here’s a notable twist: you won’t find any fast food chains in Carmel’s culinary landscape.
And speaking of locals, it’s been more than 30 years since Clint Eastwood, AKA “Dirty Harry”, served as mayor here. Yet visitors still think the celebrity still in office. Running on the slogan “Bringing the Community Together,” Eastwood worked to build bridges between local businesses and residents.
All in all, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a place where charming quirks aren’t just welcomed, they’re celebrated! From heel permits to homes with names instead of numbers, this village proves that sometimes, the most delightful places are the ones that make its own rules.