Set on California’s Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming beach city that’s famously known for its gorgeous, sandy beaches and enchanting village ambiance. Families will have a great time at Monterey Bay Aquarium where they can explore marine life or at Carmel River State Beach where they can go bird-watching and scuba diving. The city also boasts some of the most scenic places in California such as 17 Mile Drive and Point Lobos State Reserve. A tour of Carmel Mission Basilica Museum will give you a glimpse into the city’s rich history. Are you planning an adventurous getaway soon? For a great stay, check out our list of the best beach resorts near Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to beach. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on March 03, 2024.
1. Holiday Inn Express Monterey - Cannery Row (from USD 284)
Reasonably priced for the area, with free parking
Convenient location within walking distance of Cannery Row and the aquarium, free parking, and water bottle refill station
Perfect location for exploring Monterey, within walking distance of attractions and restaurants
Good breakfast options with hot and cold choices, including a pancake machine, and all-day coffee/tea provided
Situated on Wave Street, in Monterey, Holiday Inn Express Monterey is a fantastic resort that allows guests to take in panoramic views of the city. San Carlos Beach is just a couple of blocks from this property, and it is a great spot for a family picnic. Aeneas Beach is just a few steps away for those who want to admire beautiful sunsets.
You will also get to enjoy a daily continental breakfast and have access to free Wi-Fi and complimentary private parking.
Tip from Content Creator
Less than a 20-minute drive from this property is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, which is aptly known as the “crown jewel of the California State Park System" because of its scenic views, including those from Sea Lion Point. We recommend visiting it in the winter for the best sights. There will be sunnier weather and less seaweed in the water.
Holiday Inn Express Monterey - Cannery Row, an IHG Hotel
Address: 443 Wave Street
12.29 km (7.7 mi) from Marina State Beach
2. Seascape Beach Resort (from USD 315)
Tucked away in Aptos, Seascape Beach Resort offers the perfect getaway for those who want to stay close to the beach. There’s a white sandy beach a short walk away where you can have a picnic or even a birthday party.
You will enjoy watching romantic sunsets and marveling at stunning views of the ocean from your room. Take advantage of the two decks at the restaurant for a lovely outdoor dining experience. Other features include three swimming pools, a hot tub, a tennis court, and a gym.
Seascape Beach Resort
Address: 1 Seascape Resort Drive
28.92 km (18.0 mi) from Marina State Beach
3. Sanctuary Beach Resort (from USD 307)
Varied pricing, some guests felt it was overpriced, while others found it reasonable for the beachfront location and amenities.
Direct beach access, fire pits, pool, hot tub, bocce ball, volleyball, yoga, and complimentary bike rentals. Dog-friendly with some noise concerns related to pets.
Beautiful beachfront location with stunning ocean views, but some guests experienced noise from neighboring rooms and found the property slightly outdated.
Mixed reviews on the on-site restaurant, Salt Wood, with some guests praising the meals and others expressing disappointment in the food quality and high prices.
Stay at Sanctuary Beach Resort and experience charming mornings on the deck, admiring the gorgeous sunrises while sipping some hot coffee. The deck also offers sweeping views of the beach and Pacific Ocean.
After a fun-filled day at the beach, head to the spa for a full-body massage and steam relaxation therapies. There’s a delightful swimming pool and a hot tub whenever you don’t feel like walking to the beach. Use your free time to take your furry friend for a walk on the dunes.
Sanctuary Beach Resort
Address: 3295 Dunes Rd
474 meters (0.3 ft) from Marina State Beach
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Other beach accommodations near Carmel-by-the-Sea
4. Charming townhome with stunning bay views (from USD 329)
Are you a water-based activities enthusiast looking for accommodation near Lover’s Point? Stay at this charming townhome and have fun swimming, scuba diving, and kayaking at Lovers Point Park, which is only a few steps away. Lovers Point Park is a beautiful beach park where you can play beach volleyball and have a picnic. It’s also a great place if you want to meet other tourists and locals.
There’s on-site parking provided in case you’re traveling by car.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
living room and balcony overlook lovers point park and oceanCleanliness:
the condo was clean and well keptit was very clean well-supplied and in good working orderunit was very clean and had most of the amenities you'd find in a householdHost:
communicating with the owners easy and i received responses quickly regarding requests and informationowners are responsive and welcomingthe owners were very communicative and thoughtfulmanagers were easy to work with and very responsivepeople were friendly and the atmosphere was upper classRead more reviewsLocation:
this condo is in an awesome locationwonderful location looking out over lovers point coastthis is a great location and condothis place is a gem excellent location - waterfront overlooking lover's pointsuper location and easy to deal with hosts
5. Beautiful abode in a secluded, gated community (from USD 640)
Stay at this sumptuous townhome with your loved ones and make the Pacific Ocean your playground. The beautiful abode is found in a secluded, gated community, just a few seconds from the beach. It boasts a charming living room that comes with a Euro-style wood-burning stove and awe-inspiring views of the Pacific Ocean.
The rental is aesthetically pleasing since it is designed with an elegant décor and filled with natural light that streams through the windows. It is also built with wooden floors that create a rustic ambiance.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the rooms were super comfyCleanliness:
the interior met every expectation with cleanliness comfort and styleHost:
owner was very responsive and helpfulthe host provided many extras that were much appreciatedand the signage extremely helpful and easy to understand throughout the houseRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is wonderfula great location and propertyclub house is nice and close to the homethe house is right on the beach great home and locationwe loved the location of the house and the views from the front rooms
6. Gorgeous oceanfront home near Otter Cove (from USD 325)
When you stay at this gorgeous oceanfront home, you will wake up to the sound of waves crashing against the rugged shoreline. With only a few steps to the sandy beach, you can enjoy water-based activities, such as swimming, kayaking, boating, scuba diving, whale watching, and surfing. There are also lovely trails for hiking and biking enthusiasts.
If you need some fresh air, relax on the balcony and let the cool ocean breeze brush your face. The master bedroom offers spectacular ocean views too.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the beds and linens were greatRead more reviewsLocation:
a very nice house in a wonderful locationthis is the perfect location for a week in pacific grovevery comfortable home in pacific grove close to monterey and beautiful sceneryyou are in for a treat if you stay here great place and great locationgreat location and the home has everything you need we will be back
7. Lovely sanctuary for seven (from USD 720)
This beautiful townhome is ideal for a group of seven people looking for a beach escape. Situated just a few steps from the beach, it is a dream come true for every vacationer.
To ensure you will have a fun and exciting stay, you are provided access to a swimming pool, tennis courts, volleyball courts, and a full-service spa. There’s also a clubhouse where you can have a chat over drinks with your friends.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
great ocean views from the master bedroom dining area & living room master bath remodeled very niceCleanliness:
the house was clean and well stockedthe house was immaculately clean and everything that we needed was in perfect working orderthe house was clean and had a lot of amenitiesHost:
shelli was very responsive and we even had a bottle of wine waiting for our arrivalgreat communication with staffRead more reviewsLocation:
amazing location and a great place to social distancebeautiful location in every single waythis beautiful beach house was in the ideal locationnice to be so close to oceangreat location loved the view
8. Peaceful haven near Pacific Grove (from USD 850)
This rental is a beautiful home that is just moments from the sandy beach. It is a 30-minute drive to attractions, such as Pacific Grove, Santa Cruz, and the bustling Monterey. With views of the golden sunset, you will create unforgettable, magical moments during your stay here.
Take advantage of facilities, like a community pool, a hot tub, a sauna, tennis courts, bocci ball, and basketball. Enjoy romantic hikes on the beach. You can also have fun kayaking and whale watching nearby.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the home’s furnishings and decor are beautiful updated and comfortableCleanliness:
this was just as advertised - modern clean secluded absolutely gorgeousin addition to being clean and well decorated the house is equipped with everything you need and moreHost:
the experience starts with the amazing hostsvery welcoming and warm hoststed & rose were very helpful when we had questionsted and rose are great hostsas someone who is also a vrbo host we really appreciate all the extra touchesRead more reviewsLocation:
a short walk to the beach and you are set to relax and unwindoverall the trip was amazing and it was in large part to this great house and central locationfrom the minute we walked in the door we felt welcomed
9. Stunning four-bedroom hideaway with a master bedroom (from USD 433)
The views of the ocean from the master bedroom of this incredible hideout are just amazing. With four spacious bedrooms and two full bathrooms, the condo can accommodate a total of nine people. It has a fully appointed kitchen for you to fix delicious meals.
In the evening, you can relax on the balcony with some cocktails and admire the beautiful sunsets. The beach, which is only moments away, is a great spot for a quiet picnic.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
beds were comfortable rooms were quiet views beautifulthe dining and living room furniture are a bit dated but our family felt very comfortablefour spacious rooms that slept all of our guest comfortablyCleanliness:
the rooms were large and cleanHost:
on top of that host let us extend the stay another 3 hours which we really appreciatedour neighbors were friendly and quietRead more reviewsLocation:
we wanted to social distance while we enjoyed the beach and this place was perfecta short walk to the beach to enjoy fishing sea shell finding and sand castle making
10. Colorful residence with magnificent views of sunsets (from USD 308)
Nothing is more magical than the golden sunsets from this family residence. The home has a lovely deck where you can relax in the evening as you admire dolphins play in the beach and gorgeous sunsets. It is situated moments from the beach, and it comes with a hot tub and a swimming pool.
The living room is endowed with amenities, such as a flat-screen TV, a DVD player, and a wood-burning fireplace. You can use your phone to play your favorite music on the sound system.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
the house was comfortable clean and inviting for our family with childrenHost:
) the property staff was nice and very helpfulthis home has a great location and the owner is easy to work withoverall i would highly recommend staying in this one-of-a-kind beach houseRead more reviewsLocation:
great location in the complexpros: great location on a very quiet beachthe house is in an absolutely beautiful locationwish the house was cleaner and updated to match the breath taking locationthe neighborhood was quiet and peaceful
A beach vacation like no other
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a vibrant, coastal city, so it is easy to see why it is a popular tourist destination in the state of California. There are a lot of wonderful beaches in the area that attract millions of adventure seekers each year. Stay at one of the best beach resorts near Carmel-by-the-Sea and enjoy a vacation like no other.
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