Carmel's Most Photogenic Sights

Make Carmel more than just a vacation destination. Make it into a piece of art with unique photographs of its wonderful natural landscapes. Follow the Pacific coastline along the white sand beaches and admire the recreation and wildlife. Go into the woodlands and valleys to find serenity in peace amongst nature. Explore downtown and the wonderful lively shopping and dining scenes. Find subjects anywhere in Carmel that turn life into art and lasting memories.

Though there are innumerable attractions in Carmel worthy of being photographed, here are a few that serve as beautiful subjects and are easily accessible.

Carmel Mission

Originally built in 1770, Carmel Mission is considered by some to be the best subject in Carmel. It is located on Rio Road just off Highway 1 and features appealing architecture and pleasant gardens. Carmel Mission was restored in 1884 but still has its original bell tower dome. Inside there are many novelties to photograph that are suitable for closeup shots. Outside is the courtyard with flowers and other subjects for macro shots, and the backyard features a colonnade with nice pillars and healthy plants. Perhaps the most interesting part of Carmel Mission for successful photographs is its vibrant architecture that can be approached from various perspectives.

Tor House

This house was the home of American poet Robinson Jeffers and his family. He assisted in building it in 1919, and consequently built Hawk Tower next to it for his wife in 1924. Throughout his life living there, he continued to add on to it. The house is built of flat granite stones he collected from below where he built it. His unique craftsmanship is an excellent subject for photographs surrounded by colorful gardens.

Château Julien Wine Estate

Carmel is home to some of the greatest wineries and vineyards in Monterey's wine country. Chateau Julien Wine Estate is open for public tours and provides beautiful landscapes to create long-lasting memories of Carmel. Located just six miles off Highway 1 on Carmel Valley Road, this Wine Estate covers 16 acres of rolling hills at the foot of the Carmel Valley Mountains. The property features gardens in a cobblestone courtyard and vineyards spanning out across the hills with admirable sunsets. Take shots of the Estate's grand architecture including its fireplace, open beam ceilings, and antiques inside.

Carmel Walks

This is a 2-hour guided tour around Carmel to expose some of its hidden jewels. Some of the featured attractions on this tour include famous movie locations, the 1914 Golf House of the historic Carmel golf course, and the oldest art gallery in Carmel. After weaving through narrow passageways and past bright flower gardens, some of the fairytale cottages will become visible. These are original architecture by Hugh Comstock that are some of the most expensive properties in the local real estate market today. The unique architecture of these cottages sets them apart from anything known today. Visit the very first fairytale house, Hansel House, and the Tuck Box, which is now a restaurant serving classic recipes of its early days.

Point Lobos State Reserve

Point Lobos is a sanctuary of nature just south of Carmel. This can become an all-day excursion for those who want to experience the wide extent of diversity within the Reserve. There are great views of Whalers Cove and Carmel Bay with photogenic turquoise waters and trails among naturally growing Monterey cypress trees. Plenty of hiking trails provide views of the rugged coastline and local wildflowers. Also in the area are various kinds of wildlife including birds, small land animals, and sea otters. Tide pools also expose more sea life along the shoreline. 17-Mile Drive

This span covers a great variety of scenic landscapes where visitors can see all kinds of wildlife. Coming from Carmel the brilliant green fairways of its well-known golf courses open the panorama. Along the way are scenes of the valleys, mountains, and beaches that make Monterey such an attractive destination for tourists. Spectacular views of sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters in their natural habitats make the seashores all the more inviting. Brown pelicans and other avian species are also easily spotted in these spots. The main attraction of 17-Mile Drive is the 500-year-old Lone Cypress. It sits cliff-top towering over the water and makes for perhaps the most magnificent photo of the trip. The natural setting enables for the most genuine photos, so don't make a trip to Carmel without experiencing this. The quality of light and perfect subjects.

Carmel is a quaint photogenic town rich with history that is surrounded by dreamlike landscapes. Make an escape to this one-of-a-kind destination and take photographs that will initiate conversations throughout decades to come. Choose unique subjects that fascinate the mind and instill historic value with their own stories to tell. Capture the fine details of the small downtown scene and the wide landscapes that spread miles into the distance. Appreciate Carmel and the beauty it has to offer to this world of many things.


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Cher Burkett, freelance travel writer for Carmel Luxury Hotels. Read her recent article about Pebble Beach Hotels. To have Cher write exclusive content for your website or blog contact info@CarmelLodgingGuide.com.