food tour carmel by the sea

Carmel Small Group Walking Food & Cultural Tour

• Savor Carmel’s sophisticated food culture on this indulgent walking tour
• Eat and drink your way through town with an insider guide and small group
• Take in the beauty and history of California’s Central Coast
• Enjoy what adds up to a full lunch of included food and wine samples
• See itinerary
• 3-hour food and wine tasting tour
• All food samplings (enough for lunch)
• All beverages
• Professional foodie guide
• Entry/Admission - Carmel
• San Carlos / 9th, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA The tour meets in the courtyard in front of the main entrance to Carmel's Sunset Cultural Center. The Sunset Center is located on San Carlos Street, and the entrance is at the intersection of 9th Avenue, across from the Carmel Woman's Club. The courtyard is located at the bottom of the stairs.
• Carmel Plaza, Mission St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA We end 2-3 blocks from the starting point, depending on the day's itinerary. Our guides are happy to give you specific return instructions, or walk you back if you're not comfortable with navigation.
• Wheelchair accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Infants must sit on laps
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Comfortable shoes recommended
• Please advise of any specific dietary requirements at time of booking; we are unable to provide substitutions without advance notice
• Minimum age is 21 years for alcohol consumption.
• Adult pricing applies to all travelers age 3 and up; tour is geared towards adults but well behaved children are welcome
• Children under the age of 3 should be discussed with tour operator as to the appropriateness of attending.
• ** We can accommodate vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten- and lactose-free diets with advance notice ONLY. Please inform us of any food allergies at time of booking. We are unable to provide substitutions without advance notice, so please note any special restrictions on your reservation.
• Most travelers can participate
• Not recommended for travelers who are unable to walk without difficulty or pain
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
• Sunset Cultural Center

Similar experiences

• You'll start at San Carlos / 9th Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA The tour meets in the courtyard in front of the main entrance to Carmel's Sunset Cultural Center. The Sunset Center is located on San Carlos Street, and the entrance is at the intersection of 9th Avenue, across from the Carmel Woman's Club. The courtyard is located at the bottom of the stairs. See address & details
• 1 Sunset Cultural Center Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 2 Carmel Food Tours Stop: 3 hours - Admission included See details
• You'll end at Carmel Plaza Mission St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, USA We end 2-3 blocks from the starting point, depending on the day's itinerary. Our guides are happy to give you specific return instructions, or walk you back if you're not comfortable with navigation. See address & details

• Helen K 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Experience would be better with less people on the tour. I thought there were to many people (17) on the tour way to many for what was covered. We felt rushed at most of the places. Veronica did a good job explaining the interesting facts about Carmel but at times spoke quickly and it was hard to keep up. The Tapas restaurant was lame, potatoes with spicy sauce, Tapas are small plates, totally missed the point I would never go there to patronize. The food the other places was good, my favorite was the Cauliflower dish at the brewery. Final thought for the price limit the number of people to 10 at most. Read more Written October 31, 2023
• Diane T 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome Food Tour in Carmel! We have visited the Monterey/Carmel area several times and never realized there was a food tour in Carmel By The Sea! Don’t miss this fantastic tour. We learned about the history and hidden gems here. The 6 stops ( yes 6) were at some amazing restaurants and a few libations too! You will not want to make dinner plans because you will be pleasantly full after the 3 hour tour! The walking was very easy and paced well, definitely wear walking shoes as the Carmel walkways are a bit bumpy. Veronica was our tour guide for the day. She was exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly! We look forward to enjoying this tour again next time we are in the area!, Read more Written September 23, 2023
• dankT5032AM 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Walk among the clouds We met up with Bonnie as planned and walked to several places that we can revisit later. Great information, great history lessons on Carmel by the Sea. Food was great and each stop had a great story behind it. Bonnie was the Carmel OG! Will recommend this experience to anyone Dan and Becky Read more Written February 25, 2023
• Q5798BKcharlesh 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The perfect way to experience Mexico! I have been fortunate to participate in two of CFT's offerings; the Carmel Food and Wine Tour in 2017 and the San Miguel de Allende Mexico Tour in December 2022. Both experiences were delivered way beyond my expectations. The Carmel tour provided a wonderful exposure to this charming town's hospitality offerings. The San Miguel de Allende tour was a carefully curated, intimate, concierge travel experience that sets a high bar for our future travel planning. Our new friends Staci and Migdalia were gracious hosts who made certain all guests needs and interests were addressed. The itinerary, accommodations and daily scheduled offerings were exceptional. This was the perfect first trip to Mexico beyond-the-beaches for us and a multi-sensory dive into the food, crafts, shopping, music, history, and culture of this fascinating country. Put this tour on your bucket list. Read more Written December 6, 2022
• Ben_Carmel 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing tour A great experience for couples, individuals, friend groups, or the whole family. They took us to several local establishments, all of which had great food and drink. We walked throughout downtown Carmel, which was absolutely beautiful. We learned a lot of the history of the area which was really interesting. Our tour guide Bryan was fabulous--smart, funny, knowledgable. He made the day really rewarding. Read more Written November 30, 2021
• Beachchef 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Over the top- Amazing Professional, courteous, knowledgeable! It was our first time to Carmel and the tournwas much more than we imagined! The food, shops, drinks and history of this area make it a hidden gem! Finally, our guide Amber was AMAZING! Read more Written October 18, 2021
• ploew1 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The best!! We, as two couples, have been on numerous food tours in various cities in the US and abroad. The Carmel Food Tour was by far the best we have encountered. Our guide, Amber, was charming and knowledgeable sprinkling historic and current tidbits of information about Carmel throughout the tour. However, the best part was, of course, the food and drink. There were 7 locations we visited with first class food, wine, desert and chocolate and generous servings throughout. We were more that filled at the end. Highly recommended, with a fair price for what we received. Read more Written October 1, 2021
• Mark K 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic tour!! Our tour guide, Bonnie, was amazing. We had seven stops, all were very good. The walking is easy. Very informative tour, unique stops, and top quality food/drink tastings. Would highly recommend this tour .... my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it!! Read more Written September 23, 2021
• Gessica B 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour My husband and I had a great time doing this food tour with Amber! She was knowledgeable and very nice! We had some good bites, good sweets/desserts, one wine tasting, and a whole glass of margarita which we enjoyed. We are happy with the great customer service and that they allowed me to buy 2 tickets when only one was available when I inquired about it. They also were nice enough to give us some recs of places to try while out in Carmel-by-the-sea for our 10 year anniversary. Highly appreciated the kindness. I would do it again. Gess B. Read more Written September 4, 2021
• hughejd 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful way to experience Carmel Great tour! The pace was perfect, with plenty of time at each stop, and time in between to see and learn about Carmel. Mig was the perfect guide — charming, knowledgeable, and with a gift for making everyone feel comfortable. Highly recommended! Read more Written July 9, 2021
• susanhZ4668LT 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun food experience We had a great tour with Amber and Brian. On our walk we tasted gourmet meatloaf sandwiches, tacos with a mexcalita, hot dogs, pastries and chocolate. It was a great way to learn about Carmel. Wear comfy shoes for walking and come hungry! Read more Written June 12, 2021
• Jackie P 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Bikes, Bites, and Bevs We booked the Carmel Bikes, Bites, and Bevs tour and loved it! We met at Mad Dogs and Englishmen to pick up our e-bikes and headed to Point Lobos. Staci led us past cottages and historical sites occasionally stopping to describe the landmarks. After a couple beautiful hikes at Point Lobos we headed back to Carmel by the Sea to begin the bites and bevs portion of the tour. Amber escorted us to four tasting locations where we were served a generous taste and a beverage. My favorite was the crispy cauliflower and elderflower gin and tonic at Alvarado Street Brewery. Amber was knowledgeable about the locations we visited and recounted tidbits of Carmel history as we walked to the different establishments. Thank you for a fabulous day of exploring, exercising and eating! Read more Written June 2, 2021
• dimmtoons 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Tastefully Magic I can not say enough about our experience with Carmel Food Tours. We booked it along with a bike tour of Point Lobos in Carmel through Mad Dogs and Englishmen Bike Rentals. After our bike ride our tour guide Amber was waiting to take on another adventure in Carmel. The 4 restaurants were fabulous and the menus along with the cocktails were delicious. I have to say that I was absolutely surprised at the portions that we received from each of the purveyors. Completely unexpected. I thought we might get a little appetizer to share. No way! We each got our own dish, and not just a taste of a beverage but a full cocktail, wine or beer. Even if you don't do the bike tour I'm sure their regular food walking tour if fantastic. I also love the little bites (no pun intended ) of history that Amber gave us were fantastic. Thank you Carmel Food Tours. We will be back!!! M & P Read more Written May 29, 2021
• SedonaFlyFishingAdv 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome food tour! Great activity for history, drinks, and food. We did the bike tour first. Stacy the owner came on our bike tour and she was Awesome! Funny, personable gal that kept the tour on pace. She passed us off to Amber, great gal that really knows her history and cuisine in the Carmel by the Sea area. She took us on a walking food, drink, and history lesson in the town. 4 stops sampling different drinks and food from Carmel’s best. From signature cocktails to Carmel’s best wine, this trip definitely covered it. It was a lot of food and a lot of booze! We had a great couple along on the tour. It gave us the chance to chat and have fun as well. Definitely put it on your things to do list! Read more Written May 4, 2021
• Buttons1948 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Carmel Food Tour I would highly recommend this tour. Not only do you enjoy delicious food but you also get valuable insight into the history of this charming village by the sea. The tour would make a great gift for a special occasion or just friends and family visiting from out of town. Read more Written February 24, 2020

More to explore in Carmel

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Carmel Small Group Walking Food & Cultural Tour provided by Carmel Food Tours

• Most Popular

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA CLASSIC FOOD TOUR

Quick Details

• User Ages: 3 yrs+
• Hour Glass Duration: 3 hours
• Map Marker Tasting Stops: 5-6

Experience Carmel’s Restaurants & More on Our Classic Food Tour!

Our Classic Carmel Food Tour includes five to six food and drink tastings at some of the best locally-owned restaurants and specialty food shops in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The Carmel food tour lasts for approximately three hours and offers enough tastings that add up to an adequate lunch for most. Expect a variety of delicious eats that may include farm-to-table restaurants, samples of chocolates made from the same recipes for over a century, and more.

Throughout your tour, you’ll get to take in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea just as the locals do. Strolling through the hidden passageways and exploring the less-traveled side streets, you’ll get to discover what gives this small beach city its unique charm. Along the way, your guide will be happy to share with you recommendations for accommodations, meals, and even where to find the best architectural gems and the best sights of the beach, foothills, and more.

• Enjoy five to six food and drink tastings — enough to make up a lunch
• Discover the beautiful scenery and rich history of Carmel-by-the-Sea
• Try recipes that have been enjoyed for generations
• Visit farm-to-table restaurants, shop local products from specialty shops, and more
• Following this classic Carmel Food Tour, you will receive a digital album of photos from your experience
• Every tour features five to six tastings

Cancellation Policy

Refundable and non-refundable tickets are available for purchase

• Chevron down Itinerary
• The restaurants and specialty food shops visited vary, however we always choose a good variety to explore for each tour. The restaurants and shops visited for tastings may include: Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro –   Mixed fermentation brewery with leveled-up pub fare. Anton & Michel –   Modern European with signature tableside service. Cafe Carmel –   Mouthwatering baked goods, all prepared on-site. Caraccioli Cellars –  Elegant, local winery specializing in sparkling wines. Carmel Honey Company –   Raw, unfiltered honey from a company started by a 5th grader. Dutch Door Donuts –   Homer Simpson would trample a crowd for these fresh donuts. La Balena –  Tuscan-style, hearty, fresh menu with simple ingredients that feed your soul. La Playa Hotel (Bud’s) –   Iconic hotel with beautiful views and traditional bar lounge with unique nuances. Lula’s Chocolates –   Locally made confections, family-owned for more than 100 years. Mission Bistro –   This history-rich location is warm, charming, and above all cozy. With local sources, they serve what is fresh and seasonal. Nielsen’s Market –  One of Carmel’s oldest businesses, with everything from the finest wines to fresh-grilled sandwiches at lunch. Promesa Carmel –   Tapas kitchen with a passionate, creative chef and eclectic Spanish wines. Social Hour Carmel –   Unique retail store that puts a twist on the cocktail experience. The Nut Hut –  Organic and locally prepared nuts (and fruits) in the best varieties and flavors.
• Chevron down Meeting Points
• Turn west onto Ocean Avenue.
• Continue to San Carlos Street (4th stop sign).
• Turn left on San Carlos Street and go 2 blocks to 8th Avenue. Street parking is free south of 8th Avenue if available.
• There is a free parking lot on 8th avenue between San Carlos and Mission Streets as well.
• Park and meet in front of the main entrance on San Carlos at 9th Avenue.
• Chevron down Additional Information

Important Information

What fitness level is recommended for this tour?

Where can I find parking?

Are kids allowed to take this tour?

What should I wear for the tour?

RELATED ACTIVITIES

• Perfect for Corporate off-sites
• Hour Glass 2 hours
• User 16 yrs+

Team Building – Scavenger Hunt

The Carmel Caper Team Building Scavenger Hunt takes place in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Teams use our customized scavenger hunt app to track down clues and complete challenges at various locations throughout the town. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

• Map Marker 4
• Hour Glass 5 hours

Carmel Bikes, Bites & Bevs

The Bikes, Bites & Bevs Tour is a 2.5-hour e-bike tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea, followed by a 2-hour food tour with tastings at four local establishments. You’ll see some of the most scenic vistas on the Pacific Coast and learn about the town’s history, culture, and architecture.

• Hour Glass 1.5 hours
• User 3 yrs+

Instagram Mural Photo Tour

A must for art lovers! Duration 1.5 Hours About The Monterey Peninsula has long been a hub for creativity. On this walking tour, get ready to discover and photograph Instagram-worthy murals.

Cassie's Compass is a Christian travel blog based in Fresno, California.

The Ultimate Carmel-By-The-Sea Food Tour

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Carmel is one of the dreamiest and most charming weekend getaways in California. But this beach town offers much more than fairytale architecture and succulent-lined streets. Now that you planned your top things to do in Carmel-By-The-Sea , you can focus on complementing your stay with the tastiest places to eat. Here is the ultimate Carmel-By-The-Sea food tour.

Brohpy’s Tavern

Brophy’s Tavern is the perfect place to kick off your stay in Carmel. Conveniently connected to the Hotel Carmel, Brophy’s is home to the best pub food in Carmel Village. These were my personal favorites:

• Monterey Bay Calimari
• Fish & Chips
• Chocolate Sauce Churros

Village Corner

Village Corner is home of Carmel’s quintessential bistro fare. Locally sourced ingredients make every dish fresh and delicious. Don’t miss the Olallieberry flavor, a speciality of the region:

• Crispy Artichoke Hearts and Shrimp
• Gizdich Ranch Olallieberry Pie

La Bicyclette

European country cuisine with a twist, La Bicyclette is a Carmel staple. The menu is updated weekly based on the freshest locally sourced ingredients. However, if you get the chance you MUST sample the chocolate mousse:

• Squash & Speck Pizza
• Chocolate Mousse

Cultura comida y bebida specializes in fresh coastal cuisine inspired by the flavors of Oaxaca, Mexico. If you’re feeling adventurous, taste the Chapulines:

• Chapulines (toasted seasoned grasshoppers)
• Cultura Mole
• Mezcal White Chocolate Pana Cotta

Folktale Winery

No Carmel-By-The-Sea food tour would be complete without a wine tasting. Folktale Winery offers an incredible venue with incredible local wine to match. I highly recommend a grounds tour with a flight tasting:

• NV Folktale Rose Brut
• Niman Ranch Meatballs

Is your mouth watering yet? What other places would you include to create the best Carmel-By-The-Sea food tour experience?

I was lucky enough to experience these Carmel flavors as a part of the Gather + Getaway retreat. I was not compensated for these features and as always, all opinions are completely my own.

Pin it to Plan Your Own Adventure:

For Cassie, every destination deepens her love for God. Her mission is to inspire that same love in others. Hang around and find something to inspire your next adventure!

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Carmel Food Tours

9th Avenue and San Carlos Street, Carmel by the Sea, CA 93921

• Phone (831) 216-8161
• Tollfree (877) 436-6360

The Carmel Downtown Food Tour is a three-hour, guided tour of Carmel's most interesting attractions, and offers food tastings from seven unique eateries coupled with insightful presentations of Carmel's cultural, historical, and architectural highlights provided by knowledgeable and entertaining local guides. The 1.2 mile tour is suitable for all fitness levels, open to all children, but is most appropriate for ages thirteen and up. Whether you are an occasional visitor or a resident, the walking tour is the perfect way to get to know the culture, sights and foods of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

• Age Range: 13 and up

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Carmel Food Tours

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Unique and Specially-Selected Food Tastings – Our guided Gourmet Food Tour visits seven food tasting locations within the quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The food samplings on this tour are sure to stimulate your salivary glands, and satisfy your appetite for a hearty lunch that is chock-full of variety. Each tasting is served from locally-owned and operated specialty food stores and ethnic or locavore-style eateries. Stops include Carmel’s most romantic restaurant, chocolates that have been made with the same recipes for more than 100 years, and small-batch, award-winning wines that are grown and fermented exclusively within Monterey County.

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Carmel Food Tours

San Carlos St At 9th Ave, Carmel-by-the-Sea , California 93921 USA

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1.2-mile, 3-hour walking tour of downtown Carmel by the Sea with 7 tasting stops

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• Fri, Sat: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

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Carmel Food Tour: Best. Tour. Ever.

Created On: November 10, 2015   |   Updated: February 10, 2024   |   121 Comments

As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something we have recommended. Please see our disclosure policy for details. Thank you for being so supportive! 

The Carmel Food Tour was hands-down my favorite activity on my trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Our tour guide, Staci, was so knowledgeable about the area and had a great, dry sense of humor. (If you take this tour, see if you can request Staci as your guide!) We stopped at seven places to wine and dine, and each restaurant’s chef was kind enough to greet us and talk a little about their restaurant and philosophy.

Here were our stops in order (list and descriptions via CarmelFoodTour.com):

• Anton & Michel :  Modern European with signature tableside service
• Affina Food | Wine: Adult comfort food – fresh, hip, & local
• Casanova Restaurant :  Carmel’s most romantic restaurant, 34,000-bottle wine cellar
• Trio Carmel :  Trio = olive oil/vinegar, art and wine!
• Terry’s Lounge at the Historic Cypress Inn :  Classic cocktails and old world charm
• Caraccioli Cellars :  Elegant, local wines
• Lula’s Chocolates :  Locally-made confections, family owned for more than 100 years

The Beginning

We met outside the Sunset Center , Carmel’s entertainment hub. They bring $1 million worth of acts to the stage every year, including dance, comedy, music, theater, and even Bollywood shows. A big renovation in recent years has made the Sunset Center’s acoustics nearly flawless, so people come from all over to see shows there.

Our first stop on the tour was  Anton & Michel , where we had Kobe short rib over polenta paired with a rosé pinot noir. The restaurant was recently renovated and it is absolutely beautiful.

Next, we visited Affina . It had a modern rustic interior and an open kitchen concept. Chef James talked about how having a small space challenges him to use the freshest ingredients he can find since he doesn’t have the space to freeze or store things long-term.

Here we tasted a salad of local tomatoes, basil, and burrata cheese from Di Stefano Cheese. It was AMAZING. Almost everyone on the tour threw caution to the wind and finished the whole thing, even though we were supposed to save room for the rest of the tour. The wine was a viognier from Le P’tit Paisan.

Between stops, Staci talked a bit about some of the charming buildings around downtown Carmel, like this one, which looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale. There are many like this all around town, giving the city a unique charm.

Then was  Casanova , which is said to be the most romantic restaurant in Carmel. Like pretty much everything else in town, it’s incredibly charming and picturesque.

Casanova served us my favorite meal of the day. We started with crispy breadsticks with tapenade for dipping, and the main event was gnocchi. But it wasn’t like any gnocchi I’d ever had before – in fact, it wasn’t even made with potatoes. It was French-style, made from spinach pâte à choux (a light dough). It was smothered in cheese sauce and baked in individual dishes. I ate every bite.

Our next visit adventure was olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting at Trio Carmel, including an unexpectedly tasty spritzer of balsamic and soda water as well as green chile olive oil drizzled over vanilla bean gelato from Salumeria Luca. Yeah. I know. It was wicked.

Terry’s Restaurant & Lounge inside the Cypress Inn – famously dog-friendly and owned by Doris Day! – welcomed us with something a little different to drink: a classic old-fashioned instead. I don’t typically go for drinks from the whiskey family, but I must admit, I liked this one. The old-fashioned was served – and color-coordinated! – with an African-spiced meatball.

One of my favorite stops on this tour was Carraccioli Cellars , which is famous for sparkling wine, or as they called it, “bubbles”. I love any excuse to drink sparkling wine or champagne, so this was right up my alley. We had the distinct pleasure of trying a brut cuvée as well as a non-bubbly pinot noir. I really loved the crisp, dry, refreshing brut cuvée, and even thought about taking a bottle home with me. But then I remembered I already had to cram two other bottles into my tiny carry-on sized suitcase. Womp womp.

We then arrived – alas – at our final destination, Lula’s Chocolates . We’d all been raving about Lula’s ever since receiving a Carmel-themed gift basket in advance of this trip that included a gift box of several sea salt caramels WHICH WERE AMAZING. Truly delicious and worth ordering online, if you and your waistline dare.

I am so grateful that I got to have this amazing food experience in Carmel. There is not much I enjoy more than food, drink, and learning new things, and to be able to do all three at once and in such a beautiful setting? Well, I consider myself very lucky.

I’m a huge fan of food tours. This Erie Food Tour was a huge favorite and there are a ton of Pike Place Market food tours well worth taking too!

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Comments & Reviews

November 10, 2015

WoW! Next time I visit my Oma in Monterey I need to do this!

I have always wanted to go to Carmel by the Sea. The food looks amazing. What a wonderful experience you’ve had.

November 11, 2015

All of the food looks really delicious. I must say I love the dinning area of Casanova it is so beautiful.

What an amazing experience. Carmel sounds like a great place to visit.

All the food looks delicious. I’m curious about the chocolate. I would love to try it.

Me too! Chocolate is love!

I love Carmel by the sea! I did not know about the food tour.. wonder how much I can enjoy being a vegetarian, though! You have captured nice pictures and I enjoyed reading about this tour.

I love participating in food tours, I think it’s one of the best experiences ever. You learn a lot from it and you get to eat good food.

I’m just gonna be honest – you had me at food. You are very WELL in Carmel it sounds like.

It does look like such a charming town full of unique eateries and wineries! I would love to go on a tour like this although I’m sure I’d run out of room by the end! I’d have a hard time not finishing such amazing dishes!

What an amazing time you had at Carmel. I wish I could visit, too.

OH, how fun is this!!! I’d like to do a gluten-free food tour…I wonder how I get hooked up with that?! LOL

That looks like a lot of fun to do. Especially liked the sea salt carmel and the spiced meatballs looked really good. Looks like you had a great tour.

How beautiful! I could spend all day just soaking in the atmosphere.

Looks like a fun and yummy day! That’s awesome you had a chance to try it, I’ll add it to my bucket list if I ever travel there. Thanks for sharing!

That sounds like a wonderful tour. I really love the architecture. I’d love to go on this tour.

Kobe Short Ribs???? That was the starter? Spinach gnocchi? You know I love gnocchi!!!! Salted caramel chocolates?

I’m (almost) literally drooling on my keyboard. Great review and great photos!

We were just out there a year ago… loved the area. Now when I see your post about the tour it make me want to go back!

I have read a few posts lately about this place and I can’t wait to check it out one day! There are so many things I want to try! I would LOVE to see that win seller and try all the food you did!

Did you say Chocolate? I NEED to come! I love chocolate! What does best with chocolate? Wine OF COURSE! Great tour and I hope to visit it one day.

Wow, I love Casanovas! That place looks amazing! When we were in Foreign countries we had the best experiences with guided tours. I woudl love to take this tour!

such a beautiful place. I love the decor of the place. so relaxing.

Looks like a beautiful place! What a neat experience and the food looks amazing!

CanCan I just skip it all and have the chocolate? lol. For real, I would love to visit all of these places but especially d Affina. I love that he uses fresh ingredients.

How neat to sit at Van Gogh’s table! I would have loved eating all of the delicious food in Carmel!

I love Carmel, I lived in Monterey for a year and spent a lot of time in Carmel. Its so adorable!

Looks like you got to try some amazing dishes! I would have dug into that fresh tomato and burrata salad.

Looks like you had a wonderful tour, I love the look of the salad and the picturesque houses are adorable.

I’ve been to Carmel, but I think in general, I need to take more time to go on tours to find out what each place really has to offer.

all i know is that any time that there is food involved in a tour…. 😀

Ha ha! I am so with you on that one!

I love food tours and I love Carmel. This is a win win, for sure!

November 12, 2015

You are right, food tours are the best. It’s a great way to sample awesome cuisine.

Carmel looks like the ideal place to visit. Quiet and charming, I would think! The food all looks amazing! I’m sure this is a tour you are always going to remember!

A food tour would be so much fun.Yummy too.

Oh my goodness this sounds fantastic!

It does! It makes me want to plan our next vacation there.

What a fun food tour, Im sure you had fun and enjoyed it.

I don’t dare order those caramels–I would eat them all at one time from the way you described them!! I have never been to Carmel by the sea but have a feeling I and my taste buds would LOVE it.

The tour sounds amazing. Definitely have to check it out!

Oh wow this food tour looks amazing! That spinach gnocchi would be the first thing on my list!

What a fun tour for a die hard foodies like myself! That spinach gnocchi looks heavenly.

This food tour sounds amazing. I think the food looks so good!

Love the rustic style! This would be so much fun

Food and wine, two of my favorite things. This looks like a great tour and a fantastic time.

That sounds so good. I’d say you had a great time!

I love the look of all the restaurants but especially Casanova. It’s so rustic looking. And the fact that they have Van Gogh’s table is awesome.

This sounds like a really great tour! The photos are just stunning, I’d love to visit places as beautiful! The food looks great!

I loove food tours! It must be so exciting to participate in a food tour.. I live vicariously through your pictures. Everything looks so good

Liz every time I visit your blog is seems like you’ve done something else fun. I’ve never been part of a food tour but it is on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing

No wonder you say it was the best… look at it all. HA! It all looks delicious and so beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing

Wow! This tour is impressive. I’d love to do something like that.

I agree! I would love to do this tour as well!

I love tours like this – and the food that you get to try! Thanks for sharing this!

What a fabulous tour! No wonder you thought it was the best!

A food tour would be so much fun. It looks like you had a great time. I will have to see if there is going to be one near me.

The French-style spinach gnocchi looks amazing. I would love to go on a food tour. I enjoy trying new foods.

Carmel looks like an amazing place to vacation!

Wow! This looks amazing!! I am so jealous!

Everything looks amazing! From the views to the food, I am drooling over here! That is crazy about Van Gogh!

Oh my goodness, I wish I was there, I love going in a place that have a lot of foods.

Beautiful photographs! Casanova looks beyond delish!

These photos are great, it looks like you had a great time (and lots of great food!)

I grew up on the Central Coast, and my brother lives in Carmel – it’s an AMAZING town and it looks like you got to see the best of the best of it!

A food tour sounds like so much!! Everything looks amazing I would have to try every thing!

Carmel is such a beautiful place. I haven’t been there in years but all your photos and story are making me put that on my list to visit again soon.

I am heading out west next year for the BlogPaws Conference and might need to stop by this area – your pics are glorious!

What a fun culinary trip! Sounds like you had an amazing time!

I have never been there before. Looks like a very charming place.

Great photos! I want to try their Gnocchi! Looks so delicious. Food tour? Count me in!

Wow.. All the photos are stunning and Carmel sounds like a great place to visit!!

I can see why it was a fave. Pretty sure I’d have felt the same way too. Loved reading about it and seeing your posts!

I would absolutely love to have gone on this food tour. Your photos are the next best thing to being there but I’d still love to see all there was to see and sample those tasty looking goods.

The food, the scenery, EVERYTHING! It’s just beautiful 🙂

What a gorgeous place. I love the covered patio dining area. I want to go there.

That all sounds amazing. “Bubbles” and chocolate are right up my alley!

This looks like a really pretty place to go. And I might add that the food there looks really good too!

Food tours are the best! And this one looks absolutely amazing. Would love to take this tour.

How have I gone this long without being on a food tour?!?! It sounds like a blast!

The spinach gnnochi looks delicious. Wha a great way to spend the day!

This is really really awesome! I am so glad you had fun!

A food tour?! I love food and that’s right up my alley. I would certainly love to experience a food tour too.

Oh my goodness! It all looks so good. I am inspired by the idea of a small space and not storing things that are frozen or full of preservatives. Fresh is so often much healthier.

This looks so fabulous! Just added to my bucket list!

Oh my I would love to do a food tour. My friends and I would have a ball on the Carmel food tour. Who can resist delicious food and wine.

Food tours are the best! This one sounds absolutely amazing! Would love to have experienced this tour!

Oh wow!! All of that food looks amazing!! I would love to go to Carmel one day!! #BucketList

Never been on a food tour before. Sounds like so much fun. I love exploring and trying new restaurants.

Oh the Carmel Food Tour looks delish, it must have been fun.

You had me at carmel! This sounds so great! I know my daughter would love it!

So I didn’t know that food tours were a thing and now that I know I am adding it to the top of my bucket list!! How fun is that! I am always down for a buffet and this is almost like that but with a cool new place to check out for each dish!

Looks like you had a great time! So many amazing places and delicious food! I really woul love to visit Carraccioli Cellars.

wow the tour and the food looked awesome. I would love to check out Carmel

Love this! It looks amazing. I’d love to go on a tour like this!!

A food tour!? This sounds amazing!!!

I love going on a country side tour like this there is a sense of simplicity and fun all together. Thank you for taking us to your adventure.

I love the restaurant and the beautiful ambiance. It’s so important to be able to relax to truly enjoy these experiences.

Food tours are awesome! I did one in Chicago once and we all loved it! Yours looked just as awesome as mine!

Oh my this really does sound and look like the best tour ever! But then again, it would be hard to go wrong with a food tour!

OMG looks like so much fun. totes jealous 😀

You had me at “Kobe short rib over polenta paired with a rosé pinot noir” and everything else sounds like it was amazing! I can see why this was your favorite.

November 13, 2015

That all sounds just incredible. I wouldn’t know where to start choosing a favourite.

Sounds like you had a wonderful food experience at Carmel. I always wanted to attend one such event, but never had a chance. The pictures are so beautiful & the food looks delicious as well.

Wow this food tour sounds like it was truly amazing and the food looks oh so delicious.

I can’t lie I am kind of jealous you got to go on this food tour. That spinach gnocchi looked AMAZING!

Food and tour? Yes please! That looks like a delicious time.

Looks like an amazing time. I would love to go on a tour like that.

I have never been on a food tour before, but it sounds like something I’d enjoy! I love trying out different foods.

I have always wanted to visit. It looks like a nice place to go.

Sounds yummy! The rustic decor is nice too

Wow! I want to go on this tour! The food looked amazing!

What a fun experience!! The Casanova is a beautiful building! All that food sounds so tasty but I think the short rib over polenta would be my favorite.

November 14, 2015

Okay. I want to go on a food tour now. That looks amazing! I’m definitely jealous in the best way!

What a tour! I would love to go on this.. and can I just say I would love to have that piano in my house.

How perfect, that is my kind of tour. I love that it was more than just food and wine but an experience!

November 15, 2015

Love Carmel. Haven’t been in years but one of the coolest places in California for sure. Gotta try this tour next time I go.

Carmel is a beautiful place to visit! Sounds like you had a great time!

I’ve never been to Carmel (or heard of it)! This food tour looks so fun! I’ve also never been on a food tour, but think I might have to schedule one because that food looks amazing! I love that you get to sample a bunch of different places and dishes all in one trip! 🙂

November 16, 2015

Wow this is awesome! It looks like it was an amazing time and your pictures are gorgeous!

I did misread at first and thought this was the Caramel Food tour as I was gonna flip and say where?? Oopsies! This still look like a great food tour everything looked yummy!

November 17, 2015

omg, how fun would this be! Seriously need to get out more!

Welcome, I'm Liz!

I’m a North Carolina mom of two humans and six cats. I’m addicted to traveling across the USA one adventurous experience at a time.

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• North Carolina

Join us on our travels across the US as we share the best destinations, hidden gems, adventure experiences, unique hotels, must-eat food, festivals and more!

Tour Carmel-by-the-Sea with our expert local guides to experience the most unique blend of sights, stories and incredible wines.

Wander like a local.

Our wine tasting and sightseeing tour will show you Carmel-by-the-Sea’s most charming spots, brought to life with insider stories. As you wander, there’ll be stops at three hand-selected and highly dynamic tasting rooms, each of whom represents a different AVA (American Viticultural Area) all from within the Monterey region. At each tasting room, you will enjoy a selection of wines from their properties and there will never be a cross-over of wines, meaning that whatever your palette, there’ll be a great selection for you to enjoy!

Explore The Best of Carmel

Enjoy visits to three hand-selected wine tasting rooms with carefully curated tastings at each one.

Learn While You Sip

Learn from local sommeliers about the region’s unique climates that produce a variety of world-renowned wines.

Take The Path Less Trodden

Discover Carmel-by-the-Sea’s stories and hidden gems as you stroll along the charming streets between sips.

Enhance Your Visit

Gather insights from your guide on making the most of your trip, whether you’re here for a night or a week!

The Carmel Wine and Wandering Difference

Located on the Monterey Peninsula in California, Carmel-by-the-Sea is arguably one of the most scenic spots in the country. Known for our beaches, boutiques and galleries, it’s a truly special destination. Our Wine and Wandering tour will leave you equipped with insights and recommendations for making the most of your trip to this coastal gem.

While guide books and websites might steer you in the right direction, there’s nothing quite like experiencing Carmel through the eyes of a local. Our expert guides will bring the town’s storied history to life. Going beyond the standard highlights you will explore what lies off the beaten path. And if you’re looking to make the most of your visit after the tour, our walking concierges will share our best recommendations for restaurants, bars, shopping, hiking and more!

Magical Monterey Wines

Monterey vineyards and wines have long held an important place in the history of American winemaking. From 1775, the Franciscan missionaries made wine locally. Not far from Carmel, in San Juan Bautista, the very first vineyards and subsequent winery were manifested in the mid 1700’s. California now produces 90% of all American wine. Within that category, Monterey is at the top, with over 50 different varietals.

Due to the truly extraordinary micro-climates, soils and topographies, we are honored to make some of the most expressive wines possible. As you venture with us on your Wine and Wandering tour, we will demonstrate exactly how the ocean and land collisions create such different wines that we know, appreciate and love.

Wander With Us

Are you ready to make lifelong memories in Carmel-by-the-Sea? Then book your experience with us today!

Looking for a private tour?

• 9th & San Carlos Carmel by the Sea CA 93921
• (831) 216-8161

Classic Tours 11a-2p Thurs-Sat, Private Groups by Request

Take a stroll through the heart of Carmel, tasting specially-selected foods and wine to become acquainted with the unique history and culture of our magical city.

• Seven tasting stops - educational, fun, and satisfying!
• Carmel's iconic restaurants and shops are represented, with tastes and information exclusively for food tour participant
• Olive oil and vinegar on ice cream? Salt, too? Yep, you'll try it on our tour
• Our food tour participant booklet offers additional recommendations, information, and discounts!
• Tickets must be purchased in advance - book yours now.

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Rep/contact info.

Staci Giovino

• Phone: (831) 216-8533

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• Food Chronicles

Carmel Food Tour

Discovering Carmel

Carmel-By-The-Sea, also simply known as Carmel, is a charmingly picturesque town exemplifying its natural scenery and artistic community.

The best way to really get to know the storybook town is on the Carmel Food Tour .

You will learn about classic Carmel and what the town has to offer today through a local’s perspective. The walking tour allows guests to stroll around the streets and hidden passageways to learn about history, architecture, and culture…all while making stops for food and wine in local restaurants and boutique shops.

The guides are personable and passionate about Carmel. By the end of the tour, it will have felt like your close friend spent the day taking you around their hometown and showed you all the local secrets and the best of what Carmel has to offer.

Tours Offered

Classic Food Tour The original walking, cultural, tasting tour. Stroll around the heart of Carmel to discover iconic restaurants and shops, including 7 stops for food and wine. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays 11am to 2pm $79.00, inclusive of food and drink

Gimme-a-Breakfast Tour Explore downtown Carmel’s culture, food, and morning beverages in this walking tour, including 6 stops for food and beverages. Fridays, Saturdays 8:30am to 11am $69.00, inclusive of food and drink

Click here for TripAdvisor reviews and photos of Carmel Food Tour

Carmel Food Tour +1-800-656-0713

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Frugal Traveler

A Cheapskate in Monterey

We put the California county, known for its exclusive towns and fancy golf courses, to the frugal test, combining a hefty dose of stunning nature with affordable restaurants, budget lodgings and a few splurges.

The jellyfish exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Caif. At $59.95 for admission, the aquarium, the author writes, “is a worthy splurge, offering opportunities to encounter creatures large, small, wondrous and rare.” Credit... Jason Henry for The New York Times

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By Elaine Glusac

Elaine Glusac is the Frugal Traveler columnist, focusing on budget-friendly tips and journeys.

• March 20, 2024

My first view of Monterey Bay on California’s Central Coast was thrilling — a raft of 40-something sea otters — and free. The next time I would get close to them, at the Monterey Bay Aquarium , it cost nearly $60. That split between free access to outdoor wonders and investment-grade attractions epitomized my experience in the area.

Like so much of coastal California, the Monterey Peninsula, home to famous Pebble Beach golf courses and exclusive towns like Carmel-by-the-Sea (known simply as Carmel), connotes wealth. It is encompassed by Monterey County, a roughly 3,300-square-mile area, which includes Big Sur, where accommodations at luxury resorts like the Post Ranch Inn start at around $1,500 a night.

With a budget of less than half of that for three days, I put Monterey — the town and the county — to the frugal test. In January, a quiet and thrifty time of year, I trusted parks and preserves, unsung hotels and small businesses to keep things economical, even if sampling the variety of Monterey — ranging from historic cities to redwood forests, tide pools and vineyards — required renting a car ($175).

Seeking Steinbeck

My introduction to Monterey, John Steinbeck’s 1945 classic novel “Cannery Row,” describes its waterfront lined in sardine canneries as “a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream.” It’s hard to find that gritty romance along today’s Cannery Row , which boomed in the 1930s and ’40s, before overfishing killed supply.

Now chains such as Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Sunglass Hut replace “weedy lots and junk heaps,” though a central plaza with bronze sculptures of Steinbeck and some of his characters pays tribute to the past.

Still, the spirit of the book’s protagonist, Doc — a marine biologist based on the real-life scientist Ed Ricketts — lives on at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is housed in the former Hovden Cannery. At $59.95 for admission, the aquarium is a worthy splurge, offering opportunities to encounter creatures large, small, wondrous and rare.

“We bring the ocean to people to inspire them with things they might not get to see otherwise,” said Madi Frazier, an aquarium naturalist, as she guided me to a kelp forest modeled on the one found just beyond the bayfront building’s glass walls.

A wing devoted to deepwater ecology held bright red bloody-belly comb jellyfish, stringy bioluminescent siphonophores and four-foot-high Japanese spider crabs that inched along in the gloom. A dune-style aviary offered opportunities to observe a normally skittish red knot at close range. Bat rays glided beneath tentative fingers in shallow touch tanks.

A few blocks away, Katie Blandin named her five-year-old cocktail bar Pearl Hour after “the hour of the pearl,” described in “Cannery Row” as “the interval between day and night when time stops and examines itself.”

We met during happy hour — 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday — when classic cocktails such as the Corpse Reviver No. 2 go for $10 (normally $13). Ms. Blandin plants the bar’s back patio in succulents, flowers and herbs, many of which make their way into her cocktails.

“I think even a cocktail should have a sense of terroir,” she said.

Old Monterey

The oldest part of Monterey — an outpost of Spain and then Mexico dating back to the 17th century — lies just over a mile south of Cannery Row in a pedestrian-friendly downtown where signs flag historic adobe buildings.

Among several modestly priced hotels there, I booked the Hotel Abrego , where my $130-a-night room included a Keurig coffee machine and spacious glassed-in shower. Its $20 nightly resort fee, included in the room total, covered parking, a hot breakfast buffet and a glass of wine.

It was easy walking distance to lively Alvarado Street, lined in restaurants and shops. A 19th-century complex, the Cooper Molera Adobe , includes an orchard, barn and house museum (free) behind its walls, and the Alta Bakery and Cafe , where I sipped coffee ($3) on the tranquil patio.

Down the block, Ad Astra Bread Co . sells aromatic loaves of sourdough ($10 each) from Ron Mendoza, the former pastry chef at the Michelin-starred Aubergine in nearby Carmel.

“For the last five years, some of our leading chefs have abandoned fine dining and opened artisanal food businesses,” said Deborah Luhrman, the editor and publisher of the food magazine Edible Monterey Bay , who recommended both bakeries.

The brewpub Alvarado Street Brewery was buzzing when I stopped in for a quinoa bowl ($16) and a Mai Tai tropical I.P.A. for $8. Nearby, my favorite cheap find, El Charrito Express , served substantial barbacoa wraps stuffed with marinated beef, beans and rice for $6.99.

Chancing it in Carmel

From the outset, it felt like a losing bet to take my penny-pinching budget to chic Carmel-by-the-Sea, the one-square-mile seaside town where the actor Clint Eastwood was once mayor.

Even getting there comes at a price: 17-Mile Drive , the coastal scenic route, costs $12 to drive. Fortunately, it’s free to cyclists, which helped take the edge off the cost of the bike I rented to explore some of Monterey’s celebrated cycling routes .

From the bike shop Mad Dogs & Englishmen in Monterey, I rented an electric bike ($40 for four hours) to assist in the long ride — about 28 miles round-trip — and its hills. The deal included free valet parking for my car at the adjacent Monterey Place Hotel & Spa.

On a cool January morning, frothy aquamarine waves broke on the granite rocks that barricaded the coast, tempting me to stop every half mile or so to admire their churn. A thick fog blew in as I reached the area’s renowned shorefront links, dramatizing their sand bunkers and wind-shorn cypress trees. I passed a landscape painter and jaw-dropping Pebble Beach mansions before coasting into Carmel.

Amid luxury retailers like Tiffany and Bottega Veneta I found the new Korean restaurant Jeju Kitchen in the outdoor Carmel Plaza . My salmon rice bowl was not cheap at $26, but it was delicious, substantial and only a few dollars more than food truck options at the Carmel Farmers Market across the street.

Monarchs, redwoods and waterfalls

It was far easier to stretch my budget seeking nature in Monterey, home to 99 miles of coastline.

I started at the 2.4-acre Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary , where mature Monterey pine trees attract overwintering butterflies that are known to cluster in groups of up to 1,000 from November through February (free).

Using binoculars, I spied bright orange monarchs catching early-morning rays from the tips of pine boughs like mini-solar panels. A pair of deer grazed in the shade below while a set of acorn woodpeckers chattered in the treetops. The abundant bird life drew the attention of two red-shouldered hawks, which glided in silently.

Continuing south along the coast, I spent a sunny afternoon at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve (admission $10). The craggy headland has been the setting for classic Hollywood films, including Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rebecca,” and attracted the photographers Edward Weston and Ansel Adams .

The reserve, which has a special conservation status within the state park system, was created by a land donation to protect its cypress grove, according to Kathleen Lee, the executive director of the nonprofit Point Lobos Foundation , which supports the park with fund-raising and docent training. In a phone interview, she directed me to the forest, noting that it is “one of only two native Monterey cypress groves remaining in California.”

Atop vertiginous cliffs, a trail wound bravely through the wind-sculpted trees. Below them, harbor seals appeared in the backwash of coves. A short drive south, I scrambled over wet rocks at Weston Beach — named for the photographer — to find tide pools filled with sea stars, anemones and hermit crabs.

Waning light chased me from the park as I set out south, eager to make the drive down famously curvy Highway 1 in Big Sur before dark. The rugged coast of towering redwoods and mountains that plunge into the ocean was named El Sur Grande , or the Big South, by Mexican colonizers as an unmapped wilderness.

Twenty-two miles south of Point Lobos, Ripplewood Resort got its start when the highway was being built in the 1920s. I booked a rustic but comfortable cabin there for $135 a night and woke to find it ideally located just a few miles north of Big Sur Bakery , a beacon of artisanal baking that seemed impossible in such a remote location (a Cheddar-and-chive scone cost $5.50).

Ripplewood also lies close to a series of coastal parks, including Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park , where the four-mile Buzzard’s Roost Trail ascended amid redwoods to ridge-top ocean views (admission, $10, good at all state parks for the day). Nine more wiggly miles south, McWay Falls cascades onto a pristine beach at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park . Between them, I stopped at frequent turnouts to scan for migrating gray whales exhaling telltale spouts.

A safari and a tasting

The survival of southern sea otters in California is a comeback story. Hunted nearly to extinction for their thick pelts, sea otters managed to hang on in the most remote coves and crags of Big Sur, where a few individuals were discovered in 1938. Now numbering about 3,000, the endangered marine mammals are some of the most charismatic residents in the Central Coast’s kelp beds.

They also thrive in Elkhorn Slough , a coastal wetland preserve in Moss Landing, about 27 miles north of Monterey. There, I boarded an electric catamaran from Monterey Bay Eco Tours to troll the calm waters on a 90-minute cruise ($45).

Within minutes, we spotted harbor seals hauled out on muddy banks shared by marbled godwits, black-necked stilts and whimbrel, some of the park’s more than 300 species of birds. Mother otters fed their babies sea cucumbers, gave them swimming lessons and carried sleeping pups as they floated on their backs.

“Elkhorn Slough is a low-stress environment for them,” said Cindy Rice, a naturalist guide leading the tour.

The drive to my last stop — Monterey’s vineyards — took me through the agricultural flats surrounding Salinas, which grows 70 percent of the nation’s salad greens, some 20 miles to the Salinas Valley , which nurtures pinot noir and chardonnay grapes in the foothills of the Santa Lucia range.

Attracted by vintage tractors, I turned into the family-owned Rustiqué Wines and found its convivial tasting room lodged in a former dairy barn filled not with hushed aficionados swirling and evaluating wine, but with a sociable crowd enjoying glasses of estate pinot noir and oaked chardonnay in the spirit of happy hours everywhere.

The winemaker Chad Silacci and two other family members worked the bar and the crowd. The winery, established in 2006, has built a following through concerts, events and warm hospitality (tastings cost $20, waived with a two-bottle purchase).

“We want it to be comfortable,” Mr. Silacci said, indicating the tasting room’s sofas and chairs arrayed around a wood-burning stove. “It’s kind of like walking into our family’s living room.”

I finished an earthy pinot, thinking the investment, like so many in Monterey, paid unanticipated returns.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

Italy :  Spend 36 hours in Florence , seeking out its lesser-known pockets.

Southern California :  Skip the freeways to explore the back roads between Los Angeles and Los Olivos , a 100-mile route that meanders through mountains, canyons and star-studded enclaves.

Mongolia : Some young people, searching for less curated travel experiences, are flocking to the open spaces of this East Asian nation .

Romania :  Timisoara  may be the most noteworthy city you’ve probably never heard of , offering just enough for visitors to fill two or three days.

India: A writer fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting Darjeeling, in the Himalayan foothills , taking in the tea gardens and riding a train through the hills.

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

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Vote for your favorite food tour!

USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

What's better than exploring a new place and tasting its delicious cuisine? Going on a food tour is not only a great way to discover the local culture, history, and flavors of a destination, but also a fun way to meet new people who share your passion for food and travel. These 20 food tour companies were chosen by a panel of experts because they excel at providing a variety of dishes to sample and teach about the ingredients, traditions, and stories behind them. Which food tour company is your favorite? Vote once per day until polls close on Monday, April 15 at noon ET. The winning food tours, as determined by your vote, will be announced on Wednesday, April 24. Read the official  Readers' Choice rules .

What's better than exploring a new place and tasting its delicious cuisine? Going on a food tour is not only a great way to discover the local culture, history, and flavors of a destination, but also a fun way to meet...   Read More

Best Food Tour Nominees

Arizona Food Tours Scottsdale, Arizona

Austin Detours Austin, Texas

Bienville Bites Food Tour Mobile, Alabama

Bobby's Bike Hike Chicago Chicago, Illinois

Carmel Food Tours Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Chatt Taste Chattanooga, Tennessee

Columbus Food Adventures Columbus, Ohio

Doctor Gumbo Tours New Orleans, Louisiana

Driven Foodie Tours Naples, Florida

Food Tour New Mexico Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico

Greenville History & Culinary Tours Greenville, South Carolina

Little Havana Tours Miami, Florida

Maine Day Ventures Portland, Maine

Mangia DC Food Tours Washington, D.C.

Savor Seattle Food Tours Seattle, Washington

Six Taste Los Angeles, California

Taste Buzz Food Tours Las Vegas, Nevada

Taste of Houston Food Tours Houston, Texas

Taste Twin Cities Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota

Undiscovered Charleston Charleston, South Carolina

About 10best readers' choice awards.

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Allison levine.

Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate,...   Read More

Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique agency specializing in marketing and event planning for the wine and spirits industry. With over 15 years of experience in communications, marketing, and event planning, Allison is passionate about the world around her and the diverse people in it. Allison holds a master’s degree in international communications with a focus on cross-cultural training from the American University School of International Service and holds a WSET Level 3 Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). As an industry expert, she has worked with wine regions around the world.  She has traveled extensively and has lived abroad in Italy, Spain, and Mexico where she developed her passion for food and wine. Her work allows her to live life to the fullest and, as a freelance writer, Allison communicates her experiences in articles, as well as in her blog. Allison is the US Host for the international podcast Wine Soundtrack where she interviews winemakers and gets to know them in 30 questions, and she is co-host of the YouTube wine series Crush On This. Her website is  www.pleasethepalate.com   and you can follow her on Instagram @plsthepalate .

Lori Sorrentino

"Lori Sorrentino is an award-winning photographer...   Read More

"Lori Sorrentino is an award-winning photographer and freelance travel writer and blogger, who writes about slow food and slow travel on her blog  Travlinmad  with a mission to  Eat Local, Travel Slow . She also publishes  Italy Foodies , about food travel in Italy, and the  Naples Florida Travel Guide  an insider's guide for travelers heading to sunny SWFL. A former destination marketing manager, her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Tages-Anzeiger, and The Huffington Post among others. Originally from New Jersey, when she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Florida writing about the Paradise Coast and the Everglades."

Nicholas Dekker

Nicholas Dekker, aka Dr. Breakfast, is a food and...   Read More

Nicholas Dekker, aka Dr. Breakfast, is a food and travel writer based in central Ohio, writing his award-winning blog  Breakfast With Nick  since 2007, where he and his family document their journeys exploring restaurants, coffee, donuts, beer, the arts, family travel, and much more. Nick writes for  Columbus Monthly ,  Ohio Magazine , TourismOhio, Experience Columbus, The Kitchn, Great Lakes Publishing, Experience Worthington, Cubby at Home,  Worthington Spotlight ,  Proof Magazine,  and other publications.  He can be found on Facebook , Instagram and TikTok.

Rosemary Kimani

Rosemary Kimani is the co-founder and editor of  Read More

Rosemary Kimani is the co-founder and editor of  Authentic Food Quest , a food and travel website. She writes about authentic food experiences from around the world with the goal of helping people eat local on their travels or in their home kitchens. Traveling slow since 2015 she has explored the local cuisine in 45 countries and more than 250+ culinary cities. Her writing about local food specialties has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. The website features authentic food guides, recipes, food tours, cooking classes, and wine tours all aimed at connecting travelers to the local cuisine and culture. Connect with her on  YouTube ,  Instagram , or  Facebook .

10Best Editors

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,...   Read More

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

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WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR FOOD TOUR

Thinking about signing up for your first walking food tour? You absolutely should! They’re such a great way to get to know a new-to-you area (or even your own hometown!), plus taste some of the best foods in a fun way!

At Carmel Food Tours, four food tours, as well as pop-up cooking classes and private tours. We believe food is best enjoyed surrounded by local context which is why on your tour you’ll also learn more about the local architecture, history, and culture of Carmel.

Our Food Tours

Carmel-by-the-Sea Classic Food Tour  – Three hours of eating, drinking, camaraderie, and history.

Carmel Bikes, Bites & Bevs  – Five hours of bike riding, eating, and drinking from Carmel-by-the-Sea to Point Lobos State Park.

San Miguel de Allende Destination Food Tour – Explore traditional Mexico with exclusive activities and discover colorful San Miguel de Allende with our travel expert, Migdalia Denike.

Standing Room Only Food Tour – Easy-to-handle food and drinks, architecture, history, and culture.

What to Expect

Explore everything carmel-by-the-sea has to offer.

The quaint village of Carmel-by-the-Sea has so much history and beautiful architecture to take in. Between each tasting, you’ll stroll through hidden passageways, explore less-crowded side streets, get our recommendations for meals and lodging, take in architectural jewels, and view gorgeous floral displays. You’ll also get to see the spots where history was made.

Tastings at 6-7 Locations

During your tour, you’ll enjoy 6-7 tastings that vary in size and cuisine. Our team has carefully selected bites with the help of each chef so you can get a feel for each location’s specialties. Our tastings include a well-balanced selection of flavors and by the end of your tour, you’ll be full but not too full.

You’ll Learn About More Than Just Food

Raise your hand if you’re a history buff! On our tours, you’ll not only learn about the food, but you’ll also learn more about the history of Carmel-by-the-Sea. You’ll also get an inside look at our quaint village’s architecture, art, and culture.

You’ll Get Some Exercise In

Experiencing Carmel-by-the-Sea by foot is the best way to explore! Over three hours, we’ll walk the streets of the village, stop for bites, and explore all of the nooks and crannies. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, don’t bring a bag that’s too heavy, and dress for the weather (we operate rain or shine!).

So what do you say? Are you ready to eat your way through Carmel-by-the-Sea?  Sign up for a tour today !