Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is one of the Golden State’s most charming, pedestrian-friendly villages. Carmel-by-the-Sea, a former artists’ colony, is one of the top coastal towns for romance.

While on your central California coastal road trip, you’ll enjoy the blissful sounds of the waves slamming into the rocks, nestling next to your loved one by a bonfire along the shore, and spoiling yourself with one of the numerous wine-tasting venues downtown.

There are also many romantic places to eat, serving gourmet cuisine and incredible ocean views, as well as high-end boutiques and jewelry stores like Tiffany & Co.

If you want to stay the night, the L’Auberge Carmel and Mission Ranch, which is an old dairy farm saved by the city’s most well-known former mayor, Clint Eastwood, offer two of the most unique places to stay.