Quarantine in Captivating Carmel-by-the-Sea

Even though the quarantine has disrupted many travel plans, I feel so blessed to live in this area.  I hope that everyone has a chance someday to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea, located in central coastal California, and witness first hand this captivating and charming town.  I have previously written other blog posts about Carmel-by-the-Sea, including  Gardens of Carmel-by-the-Sea,  Garden Gate Inspiration from Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Fairy Tale Cottages in Carmel-by-the-Sea.  Even though shops and art galleries are still closed, many of the amazing restaurants here are open with take out and social distanced al fresco dining.  And fortunately, the pandemic can’t hamper one of the most fun things to do here, just walk around.  You will feel like you are in a fairy tale, because this little seaside town just happens to be home to some of the loveliest cottages and gardens in the area.

It all started in the early 1900s, when Hugh Comstock built the town’s first fairy tale cottage for his wife, Mayotta.  The homes he built featured steep roofs, arched windows and doors, and rustic stone chimneys.  His cottages have been duplicated over the years, and have inspired generations of delightful homes, so that walking through many of the side streets you may imagine you are no longer in America, but rather, in a charming English village.

The gardens in Carmel-by-the-Sea are simply the icing on the cake.  From fetching window boxes, to picket fences, to lovely archways and stone walls, there is an eye-catching assortment of detail.  Colorful flowers paint the landscape around these storybook homes with a beautiful palette of colors and textures.

Quarantine or not, it is clear that many people here are passionate about gardening and put a great deal of time and love into their gardens.  I would like to personally thank them for all the inspiration and cheerfulness they provide to us passers-by!

A quirky thing about Carmel-by-the-Sea is that all the homes have names instead of house numbers.  Most of the home names are pretty or cute, but I like the name I saw on one the best of all: “Nobody’s Perfect”!

The latest addition to Carmel-by-the-Sea, on 6th Avenue & Mission, this Instagrammable wall mural was being completed while my friend Amy @seasaltandcypress and I were dining al fresco at nearby Grasings.  Opinion has been mixed, folks either love it or hate it.  I love it!

Someday, I hope the word quarantine will be obsolete.  I hope that we all have discovered what is most important in life.  I hope that we have learned to slow down and appreciate the beauty around us.  I hope we never again take anything for granted and have learned to be grateful for all good things.  If you do someday visit Carmel-by-the-Sea, dear friend, here is my parting advice.  The best way to end the day is to take a leisurely stroll down to the beach and enjoy the soothing lull of the ocean waves and the color-drenched sunset.  Because in Carmel-by-the-Sea, fairy tales really do come true.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas.