Postcard Beaches & Storybook Streets: Condé Nast Unveils California’s Most Beautiful Destination

Condè Nast has long been more than a monthly magazine filler in your mailbox — these travel experts generally know what they’re hyping up.

Their latest list of must-visit destinations showcasing America’s ’31 Most Beautiful Towns’ only includes a single California destination. Can you believe it?

We at Travel Off Path think California is one of the most beautiful destinations not only in the U.S., but the whole world.

Maybe I’m personally a little biased, having traversed nearly 40 countries and resided in San Diego for a decade, but here’s a little secret:

When I visited the picturesque town Condè Nast just crowned as California’s ‘most beautiful’, I was so captivated by it that I started looking for an apartment at dinner the first night.

Needless to say, my guardian angel stopped me from making another horrendous life decision with my ex, but there’s no denying Carmel-by-the-Sea is all it’s cracked up to be and more, with paradise beaches and storybook streets, literally inspired by a popular fairytale.

Quirky, Charming & Everything in Between: Carmel Is A Must-Visit

One quick stroll down Carmel’s main strip and you’ll be wondering if you entered a wormhole to Lord of the Rings with various hobbit-like storefronts, and even some homes looking like they’re straight from the imagination of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Though, Carmel was actually designed by local builder Hugh Comstock. His vision was to turn the famed fairytale Hansel & Gretel into real life, and what a remarkable job he did.

No matter if you want to shop ’til you drop, bar-hop, or eat at an array of trendy restaurants often frequented by A-listers coming from nearby Pebble Beach or weekend retreats from Hollywood’s bright lights, the vibes in Carmel are truly unmatched through incomparable architecture, beautiful beaches, and surrounding nature.

The town where Clint Eastwood once served as mayor (and still resides) is about as quirky as it sounds, but in the best of ways. Otherwise, Betty White, who I’m declaring as my aforementioned guardian angel, wouldn’t have called this lovely town home until _____.

Oddly enough, as whimsical as Carmel is, the town has a homey feel with inviting inns, community staple dive bars, and boutiques to peruse — not to mention amazing cuisine.

My personal favorites are The Tuck Box, Dametra Cafe, and Carmel Bakery.

17 Mile Drive: Visit Carmel’s Wondrous Beaches

Carmel is a great place to relax and indulge. Indulge in the luxe hotels and fine dining, relax beachside, and absorb this side of California’s stunning nature.

Carmel is set along the famous Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), a bucket-list destination for road trips.

You would be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful drive anywhere in the States, and Carmel only makes it more enticing.

Additionally, Carmel is a great gateway to what’s known as the 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. I’ve done it and it’s one of the prettiest places that’s stuck in my mind’s eye for years.

The Lone Cypress is a popular landmark as the most iconic photo-op, but it’s the rushing waves and expansive blue waters that you’ll remember most in between the staggering mansions and spotless golf courses.

There are numerous proper beaches to enjoy hours on end, as some of the coast is more for views and not actually taking a dip or reading a book beachside.

My favorite was Carmel Beach, a dog-friendly paradise with soft sand and walkable from the main drag.

Easy To Reach, But Hard To Leave

There are 4 airports with reasonably close distance to reach Carmel, if taking the winding cliffside roads of the PCH isn’t your jam.

• San Francisco (SFO)
• Oakland (OAK)
• San Jose (SJC)
• Monterey (MRY) – the closest to Carmel

Travel Tip: Check out Travel Off Path’s new Jetlag Fixer tool!

Getting here is easy. Leaving is the hard part. Carmel is truly mesmerizing, and the longer you stay, the more you’ll want to put off coming back home.

With a range of accommodations from ritzy villas, 4-star resorts, to cozy, down-home inns, whatever type of traveler you are, Carmel has you covered.

As much as I enjoyed neighboring Monterey, my one regret from my trip was making my base there rather than Carmel — the splurge is worth it.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.