Best Time to Visit Carmel, California
Carmel's Mediterranean climate makes weather extremely consistent here. The temperature rarely dips below 55 or exceeds 70 degrees, so you're almost guaranteed not to shiver or sweat. However, unlike most areas of the world, fall offers the most glorious weather here. Showers might interrupt your vacation if you visit in summer, spring, or winter, but the sun shines nearly every day between September and November.
Summers might boast warmer temperatures, but the heavy fog can make mornings less than ideal for a stroll along the beach or a few hours of sightseeing. However, the fog burns off by noon on most days, so you won't ruin your entire vacation if you plan your visit in July or August.
If you're hoping to visit Carmel on the cheap, you might consider a winter visit. You'll spend less money on lodging and transportation, and fewer crowds will get in the way of dining and entertainment. Just remember to pack a slicker and a hat to protect yourself from the frequent showers. You might also want to bring light layers so you can adjust your wardrobe to suit the temperature and humidity.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Carmel, CA:
Carmel by Star Rating
Below we've posted 3 graphs demonstrating mean nightly cost patterns by star rating class in Carmel, CA. You can use these illustrations to determine the best time to make a reservation in Carmel for upcoming travels.
Best Luxury Hotel Options in Carmel, California
4 Star Average Prices: $264.04
Sometimes, a vacation doesn't seem worth the effort unless you can spend it in luxury. Fortunately, Carmel offers several high-end hotels from which to choose, many of which sit right on the beach.
Start with La Playa Carmel, which frequently finds itself on best-of lists for hospitality businesses in Monterey County. The Mediterranean-style building was built in 1905 for a member of the Ghirardelli family, but it eventually became a boutique hotel. Its guest rooms feature a mix of coastal and modern decor, with lots of rich textures and pops of cheerful color. You'll enjoy looking out the window at the beach beyond and snuggling in front of the flat-screen television.
There's a pool, a bar, and a restaurant on-site. In the morning, consider joining the other guests for a champagne breakfast in the library. Wine-tasting events often take place on the property, and you can order food at the hotel, then take it to the beach for a waterfront picnic. You'll love strolling the grounds, which resemble an English garden, and lounging by the pool with the latest bestselling novel. Rates start at about $500 per night.
Alternatively, book your Carmel vacation at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands Big Sur. You'll pay around $530 per night to stay in luxuriously appointed rooms with sweeping views of the ocean and Hyatt Grand Beds. Other in-room amenities include plush robes, hair dryers, flat-screen televisions with cable and DVD players, iPod docking stations, and high-end toiletries. There's an award-winning restaurant on-site as well as an upscale spa.
Best Affordable Hotel Options in Carmel, California
3 Star Average Prices: $195.66
Hotel rooms in Carmel can get pricey, but you'll find a few low-cost options to help you balance the vacation budget if you stay in nearby communities like Monterey and Seaside. Both towns are fewer than seven miles from Carmel, so you won't sacrifice too much to gain a reduced hotel rate.
For instance, rooms at the Rodeway Inn Monterey cost between $50 and $60 per night, depending on the season. It's a small, one-story venue with charming blue guest room doors and early check-in at 2 p.m. It's light on amenities, but the rooms are clean and spacious. Plus, it's not far from the Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, and Pebble Beach, and it has earned favorable ratings from previous visitors.
In your Rodeway Inn Monterey room, you'll get a single king bed or two queens, a flat-screen or tube television, a telephone, and a small dinette table with two chairs. The hotel won't win any awards for design, but the comfortable mattresses and convenient bureau drawers will make your stay brighter. On-site, you'll find a guest-use fax machine and a coffee center for your morning jolt of caffeine.
The Americas Best Value Inn-Seaside North is another affordable option, this one located in Seaside. You'll pay just $65 for a room at this budget-friendly venue, which has 24 guest rooms on two levels. While it's not the most attractive hotel in the world, you'll enjoy amenities like free HBO and cable television, free wireless internet access, a mini fridge and microwave in the room, and wake-up service. Plus, you can walk to several fast food restaurants from this hotel, including Quizno's and Pizza Hut. You can check in at 1 p.m., and there's a guest-use fax machine in the lobby. If you're a Vantage Rewards member, you can save up to 15 percent on your bill.
Travelers who want to stay in Carmel can choose the least expensive option within the city limits. The Carmel Village Inn's rates range from $90 to around $180, depending on the season. It's a small, quaint hotel with two levels and a charming wooden sign. You can choose from double-queen and single-king rooms, depending on whom you're traveling with, and each guest room comes with amenities like a refrigerator, microwave, hair dryer, coffeemaker, and free wireless internet access.
You can also reserve a room with a microwave or a fireplace. Generous bathrooms, traditional decor, and interesting architectural details characterize this venue. There aren't any community amenities, but you'll find yourself close to all of the Carmel attractions, so you might not want to spend much time in your hotel room, anyway.