Carmel-by-the-Sea Scenic Loop Walking Tour Part 1, Carmel, California

Those who visit our village may only have a few hours to spend in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Some enjoy shopping, some love to eat, others enjoy a walk. The Scenic Loop Walking Tour is a series of two blog posts. They are a self-guided walking tour of what I believe feature three miles of natures most impressive beauty. If time does not permit, this first part can be walked as 1 1/2 miles round trip - Just turn around at the new restrooms on Santa Lucia and Scenic where this blog ends.

So that you are not constrained by the two hour parking limit in town, I suggest you park in the parking lot at the end of Ocean Avenue by Carmel Beach. There is no time limit here on parking during the day.

There are three public restrooms along this walking tour. One at the beginning, base of Ocean Avenue, at the end of Part 1 at Santa Lucia and Scenic, and next to the parking lot at Carmel River Beach.

This walk is fairly level but weather conditions can be windy and cold. A windbreaker or sweater is recommended, dark glasses, camera, and binoculars are useful.

Start this walk at the Carmel North Dunes Habitat Restoration Site (northwest corner of Ocean and San Antonio* next to the Carmel Beach parking lot) under one of Carmel's heritage trees, a Blue Gum Eucalyptus. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).