Carmel by the Sea

In my family we have many traditions. The men's golf weekend, Camelback, summers in Utah, Hotel Del, Thanksgiving in Colorado and Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's to name just a few.

One special tradition has always taken place after Christmas in Carmel, CA. My mom grew up in Carmel/Monterrey area and they have gone back every year to enjoy a beautiful city by the sea. This year, Ryan and I were invited to come along. No kids are allowed, so we are going to soak up this trip every year we can until our little family changes. 

We flew in on a Tuesday night and met my parents, Gregg and Darla, and Grandpa at the airport. We drove into Carmel and got in around midnight. We stayed at the Normandy Inn, a quaint little place right on Ocean Ave. Our room had a fireplace that we used twice daily and beautiful vaulted ceilings. Loved it! 

Every morning we had breakfast at the hotel. Wednesday we puttered around Carmel and visited all of the local shops. There are countless boutiques and unique shops you wouldn't find anywhere else. We of course needed to make a stop at the Coach Outlet where mom and I treated ourselves! One of our other favorite stops we made multiple times was to Lula's Chocolates. It is a chocolate shop started by a BYU Alum and the chocolates are made in Monterrey. The best was their salted carmels!

Every afternoon we went back and relaxed in the room and took a nap, and every evening we went down to the beach to watch the sunset! Gorgeous! There is nothing quite as relaxing as walking down to the Carmel beach and sitting in the sand watching the sunset. We looked forward to it every night!

Thursday we spent the day in Monterrey visiting all the places I have memories as a child. We first stopped to have lunch at Toro Place. It is a restaurant in Salinas right off the highway at a local gas station. It has greasy, delicious food! We enjoyed ourselves. After, we drove by the house my mom grew up in. I have so many memories at "22489". I loved driving by to see it. The family that lives there are taking great care of the home and yard. After we went to 711 to get a slurpee and meat stick. Classic!

We also stopped at Talbot's Ties to pick out some ties for all of the men. Gregg and my mom bought Ryan some new ties for his internship-they are his favorite he owns! What a great tradition.

Friday we spent our last full day at Pebble Beach. I had never been, and neither had Ryan! It was beautiful! Crews were setting up for the AT&T tournament the next weekend, but it was still so fun to see the course and walk through the shops. We spent a couple of hours there to get our fill. Someday the family will play the course! 

After we visited Pebble Beach, we spent time doing the 17-mile drive seeing the Lone Cyprus and other look-outs that Carmel has to offer! It is beautiful driving along the coast. 

Every night we would walk to dinner, talk and enjoy a fire in our room. It was a perfect vacation where we got to relax and enjoy ourselves. Until next year!