Carmel Highlands Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A rocky coastline with waves crashing against the shore, a prominent rock formation in the foreground, and a steep cliff on the right.
A coastal landscape with a bridge, cliffs, and ocean.
A rocky coastline with waves crashing against the rocks.
A coastal landscape with rocky cliffs and a clear view of the ocean.
A coastal landscape with rocky cliffs, a sandy beach, and a calm sea.

Stay near popular Carmel Highlands attractions

Gravity Garden

Explore the lovely green spaces of Gravity Garden and enjoy the golf courses in Carmel. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its seafood restaurants.
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Activities

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

NZ$128
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour
Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

NZ$119
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide
Picture 9 for Activity Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

NZ$106
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour
Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr

Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr

NZ$135
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr
Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise

Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise

NZ$111
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Monterey: Catamaran Sailing Cruise
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Anytime Admission

Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo

NZ$39
per adult
Monterey: Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo
See all activities in Carmel

Our pick of the best Carmel Highlands Hotel Deals

Hyatt Carmel Highlands

Hyatt Carmel Highlands

4 out of 5
120 Highland Dr Carmel CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$1,134 per night from 7 July to 8 July
NZ$1,134
per night
7 July - 8 July
Stay at this spa resort in Carmel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very good! (968 reviews)
"We enjoyed our short stay at this resort. It was amazing"

Reviewed on 29 June 2026

Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Hyatt Vacation Club At Highlands Inn

Hyatt Vacation Club At Highlands Inn

4 out of 5
120 Highlands Drive Carmel CA
The price is NZ$1,200 per night from 25 July to 26 July
NZ$1,200
per night
25 July - 26 July
Stay at this spa hotel in Carmel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 hot tubs. Popular attractions Carmel Beach and Point Lobos State Natural Reserve ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (310 reviews)
"This resort arguably has one of the most spectacular views in Carmel. Unfortunately, our room had a very limited view, which was a huge disappointment. The room was not ready at 4:00 pm and we had to wait until nearly 6:00 to get into the room, however they were able to reverse the resort fee which ..."

Reviewed on 29 June 2026

Hyatt Vacation Club At Highlands Inn
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay

4 out of 5
Two Portola Plaza Monterey CA
The price is NZ$542 per night from 6 July to 7 July
NZ$542
per night
6 July - 7 July
Stay at this spa resort in Monterey. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,344 reviews)
"Great location, comfortable room. Had a great time"

Reviewed on 1 July 2026

Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay
Carmel Mission Inn

Carmel Mission Inn

3.5 out of 5
3665 Rio Rd Carmel CA
The price is NZ$496 per night from 5 July to 6 July
NZ$496
per night
5 July - 6 July
Stay at this hotel in Carmel. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,772 reviews)
"We were able to check in early the front desk staff was so accommodating"

Reviewed on 1 July 2026

Carmel Mission Inn
Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa

4.5 out of 5
1 Old Golf Course Rd Monterey CA
The price is NZ$601 per night from 2 July to 3 July
NZ$601
per night
2 July - 3 July
Stay at this luxury resort in Monterey. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,658 reviews)
"Great restaurant, coffee shop, clean room, great outdoor amenities and great services-play pen was huge life saver! Friendly and professional staff!"

Reviewed on 30 June 2026

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa

4.5 out of 5
400 Cannery Row Monterey CA
The price is NZ$829 per night from 2 July to 3 July
NZ$829
per night
2 July - 3 July
Stay at this luxury resort in Monterey. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (1,597 reviews)
"Great amenities and restaurants. Very cool underground bridge to connect the 2 sides of the property. Really cool hot tubs on the rooftop. Great views of the ocean, and close to everything we needed."

Reviewed on 1 July 2026

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa
See all 1,259 properties in Carmel Highlands
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Our guide on where to stay in Carmel Highlands

Find the best Carmel Highlands areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Carmel Highlands
Learn more about Carmel Highlands
A quaint building with a turret, a window with a white frame, and a sign that reads "Hush House."
Photo by Aimee Bollinger
Open Photo by Aimee Bollinger

Downtown Carmel

If you're spending some time in Downtown Carmel, Carmel Plaza and The Doud Arcade are top sights worth seeing.

A beach with waves, a clear sky, and a tree on the right.
Photo by Bryce Karr
Open Photo by Bryce Karr

Golden Rectangle

While visiting Golden Rectangle, you might make a stop by sights like Carmel Beach and Carmel Plaza.

A wooden amphitheater with bleachers, a stage, and a stone wall.

Southeast Carmel

While visiting Southeast Carmel, you might make a stop by sights like Forest Theater Guild and Mission Trail Nature Preserve.

A coastal landscape with rocky cliffs, dense green vegetation, and a solitary tree on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Photo by Terry Fletcher
Open Photo by Terry Fletcher

Northeast Carmel

While Northeast Carmel isn't home to many top sights, Carmel Beach and Carmel Plaza are some notable places to visit nearby.

A coastal beach with clear blue waters, sandy shore, and red flowers in the foreground.

Northwest Carmel

If you're spending some time in Northwest Carmel, Carmel Beach and Carmel Plaza are top sights worth seeing.

Carmel Highlands Travel Guide

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