7 Underrated Cities In California With Carmel-By-The-Sea Vibes, But Better

Nestled on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small however well-known coastal metropolis in California that draws hundreds of thousands of holiday makers yearly. Many realize it for its distinctive fairytale-like cottages and pure landscapes, which embrace rocky seashores and luxurious state parks. Carmel additionally has over 100 artwork galleries that includes masterpieces and works that mirror its inventive heritage, spanning over a century.

Although Carmel-by-the-Sea is California’s best summer beach town where celebrities flock, a number of different underrated cities within the state supply related vibes which might be even higher in some methods. They might not mirror each facet of Carmel’s attraction, whether or not its distinctive inventive heritage or the fairytale attract, however they produce other qualities that make them well worth the go to. This checklist highlights different cities in California which have considerably Carmel-by-the-Sea vibes or higher.

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7 Laguna Seashore

This coastal metropolis, similar to Carmel, captivates with its coastal magnificence and vibrant artwork scene

Just like Carmel-by-the-Sea, Laguna Seashore is a picturesque resort metropolis drawing vacationers in search of a vibrant coastal expertise. Laguna Seashore additionally attracts these occupied with artwork, and through summer season, they will attend one of many metropolis’s artwork occasions, the Pageant of the Masters.

It is one of many world’s distinctive productions, and the pageant is held from early July by way of late August, luring artwork lovers with intriguing recreations of latest and classical artistic endeavors.

Whereas artwork fans marvel on the masterpieces, seaside lovers can soak in the summertime sunshine alongside the town’s most dazzling seashores, corresponding to Treasure Island Beach. Guests come right here to swim, scuba dive, and discover tide swimming pools at low tide. These are just some of the many things to do in Laguna Beach, so completely different vacationers have lots to maintain them glued for days.

6 Morro Bay

Escape right here for breathtaking coastal surroundings and alternatives to look at marine life

Morro Bay is an underrated gem alongside California’s shoreline, house to the enduring Morro Rock. Positioned in San Luis Obispo County, this inviting metropolis is price skipping Carmel for its welcoming ambiance and walkable downtown. Guests can uncover the town’s thriving meals and buying scene whereas strolling alongside the downtown space stuffed with eating spots serving scrumptious native fare.

Customers can get pleasure from retail remedy as they uncover treasures in vintage outlets or browse galleries corresponding to By the Bay Gallery, promoting all the things from sculptures to jewellery and handmade crafts.

On the similar time, nature lovers can soak within the metropolis’s breathtaking coastal surroundings at Morro Rock Beach. This stunning place is a State Historic Landmark, because it hosts the famed Morro Rock, which supplies a dramatic backdrop to the seaside and ocean.

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5 Pacific Grove

Dwelling to the oldest constantly working lighthouse on the West Coast

Pacific Grove is certainly one of California’s most stunning coastal cities, located between Monterey and Level Pinos. The town provides a peaceable seaside retreat with a mix of Victorian attraction and pure magnificence.

Pacific Grove boasts a surprising shoreline with gems like Asilomar State Beach, that includes a one-mile-long sandy seaside with dramatic views. The seaside additionally provides easy accessibility to the Asilomar Coast Path, recognized for its scenic Rocky shoreline vistas.

Beachgoers entry this path from over 25 well-marked entry factors set alongside Sundown Boulevard. The state seaside can also be near Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve, recognized for its native dune habitat. The protect helps uncommon and endangered crops and wildlife, such because the Black Legless Lizard, Tidestrom’s Lupine, and the Menzies’ Wallflower, which blooms from March by way of April.

4 Ojai

Go to Ojai as an alternative of Carmel to find a definite inland vibe and a serene valley setting

Though Ojai lacks the beautiful seashores Carmel has, it has distinctive options that make it well worth the go to. Ojai, which also makes a great alternative to Los Angeles, has a Bohemian and artsy ambiance that makes it charming.

Its location, in a valley surrounded by the Topatopa Mountains, attracts nature lovers, the place they expertise Ojai’s magnificence by exploring stunning pure areas like Ojai Meadows Preserve. This nature reserve is house to meadows and wetlands greatest explored on foot or by bike. The reserve additionally welcomes leashed furry buddies and is without doubt one of the greatest locations to attach with the pure world when visiting the town throughout spring when the wildflowers are blooming.

Like Carmel, Ojai can also be recognized for its concentrate on wellness and the humanities, with the small-town-like heart boasting scenic artwork galleries and New Age outlets.

3 Sausalito

Boasts a charming waterfront that enhances its enchantment

Sausalito is a small beach destination that’s an underrated escape from San Francisco, which is lower than a 30-minute drive away. Positioned simply throughout the famed Golden Gate Bridge, this metropolis exudes a serene, inventive attraction much like Carmel, however with its distinctive aptitude.

Sausalito appeals to avid vacationers with its picturesque waterfront views and a bustling downtown space with boutique outlets and quite a few artwork galleries. Whereas right here, vacationers can pattern contemporary seafood and California delicacies alongside the bay or get pleasure from a scenic ferry experience to and from San Francisco.

Sausalito’s downtown space can also be house to Viña del Mar Park, famed for its fountain and historic elephant statues. This triangular-shaped park additionally boasts lush greenery and grassy areas, offering a tranquil spot for locals and guests to loosen up after touring the downtown.

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2 Fort Bragg

Just like Carmel, Fort Bragg has dramatic coastal surroundings, however its glass seaside provides to its attract

Fort Bragg is without doubt one of the most stunning cities located alongside California’s rugged northern coast. This metropolis of about 7,000 folks delights vacationers with its off-the-beaten-road standing, pure magnificence, and distinctive sights like Glass Seashore, which is without doubt one of the most beautiful beaches in California.

This one-of-a-kind seaside is a part of MacKerricher State Park, that includes various habitats, together with wetlands, forests, and a dune system. The state park can also be a marine life fanatic’s paradise as guests observe seals alongside the park’s rocky shoreline and watch whales from the close by headland.

Nevertheless, for one of the best whale-watching expertise, vacationers ought to go to the park throughout spring or winter when whales frequent the world.

1 Los Olivos

Skip the same old coastal views for expansive sights of vineyards

Los Olivos sits within the scenic Santa Ynez Valley within the coronary heart of Santa Barbara’s wine nation. This underrated vacation spot is price visiting as an alternative of Carmel-by-the-Sea for its rustic attraction and rural setting.

Not like Carmel-By-The-Sea, Los Olivos lacks the seaside attract that makes the previous a seaside lover’s paradise throughout the hotter months. Nevertheless, Los Olivos makes up for it with its intimate ambiance, countryside surroundings, agricultural background, and wealth of vineyards and wineries.

Throughout their trip, vacationers uncover boutique wineries such because the Demetria Estate & Vineyard. Right here, wine fans uncover the vineyard’s wine-making course of, together with harvesting, fermentation methods, barrel ageing, and mixing. Afterward, guests pattern delectable wine collections starting from glowing rosé to earthy purple wines and vivid chardonnay.