DO

Bring Your Dog – Carmel Beach is the only beach in the Monterey area where your dog can run free. Be prepared to meet lots of energetic friendly dogs while enjoying the white sand beach, and keep these meet and greets in mind when deciding whether bringing your dog is a good idea. Also, please help us keep our pristine beach the way you found it by picking up after your dog. There are several areas where bags and trashcans are made available to the public.  

The streets of Carmel-By-The-Sea and several of the businesses are also dog friendly, but when walking around town, dining or shopping, we ask that your furry friend remain on the leash.

Use The Public Restrooms – There are six restrooms open to the public in Carmel-By-The-Sea: Devendorf Park (top of the hill going into Carmel on Ocean Ave.), Carmel Beach (bottom of hill on Ocean Ave.), Carmel Plaza (top floor, there is an elevator), Lincoln & 6th (across the street from the Carmel Library), Dolores St – between Ocean Ave & 7th. (Look for the red door and little park) and one at Carmel River Beach

Learn The History – Several of the buildings along Ocean Avenue and around downtown Carmel-By-The-Sea are original structures. If you are one for history, then put on your walking shoes and explore the downtown by visiting all of the historic buildings and storefronts that tell a story about the village’s past.

Park in a Garage – Once you've made your way into Carmel-by-the-Sea park your car at one of the many public parking lots, most of which are free. The village is only one square mile making it easy to walk from place to place. 

DON’T

Litter – If you brought it with you to the beach, make sure it leaves with you when you are done. Here in Carmel, we pride ourselves on how clean our beaches, ocean, parks and streets are. Please help us keep it this way by using the several recycling and trash bins placed throughout town and at the top of the beach.

Forget Your Walking Shoes – One of the many perks of Carmel-By-The-Sea is its walkability. However, the charming village is not flat and several areas of the sidewalk are uneven making it difficult to walk in heels. Plus, a little fun fact, it is actually against city code to wear heels over 2 inches in downtown Carmel-By-The-Sea. Although you may not be cited if you choose to wear heels, you can get a permit at city hall to do so and say you did, but we recommend comfortable shoes if you plan on walking around town all day.

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