Skip Europe This Summer: This Town in Northern California Is Just as Charming as the Uk’s Southern Seaside

Visiting the beach in the summer is a given for those who can. However, visiting the beach in Europe specifically is a bit more complicated for those who live in the United States. Luckily, a beautiful little town in Northern California has all the charm you'll find in the seaside towns in the southern part of the United Kingdom. 

With little winding passageways, cobblestone courtyards, cottage-style homes, and no shortage of gardens and greenery, Carmel-by-the-Sea (also known as Carmel) was built to appear as if it was a small village perched on the edge of a beach. To this end, there are strict laws about how many businesses can move in, how large and tall buildings can be, as well as what type of businesses are allowed to operate in town. Even as its popularity grew due to its close proximity to Monterey and Pebble Beach, as well as its thriving artist community, these laws have held fast. As a result, this town looks distinctly unique from other American cities, appearing older than it actually is, as if (like in the United Kingdom) centuries have passed along the streets.

Although the storybook-like architecture seen in businesses like The Tuck Box or The Cottage of Sweets could have travelers also thinking of the French or German countryside as well as the UK, the downtown area overall with its clustered and cozy feel has multiple pubs and taverns just as the United Kingdom does. One of these is the Hog’s Breath Inn, a restaurant formerly owned by Clint Eastwood that sells food somewhat themed to the famous actor himself.

However, Carmel’s and the UK’s similarities extend beyond architecture. The surrounding area is also starkly similar, with a coastline more dramatic than other places in California can offer, little local fishing boats that dot the sea, and cyprus trees everywhere. These cypress trees, in fact, have an interesting relation to the United Kingdom in that a large majority of cypress trees in the UK are of the Monterey Cypress variety and were introduced from near Carmel.

Beyond appearances, another similarity is art, with Carmel being a thriving artist hub nearly since its conception, with many galleries and famous artists who live/have lived in the area such as Ansel Adams, Wah Ming Chang, and Thomas Kinkade. Similarly, the UK’s south (especially the southwest) is also extremely well-known for its art scene, with multiple galleries, the famous St. Ives school in Cornwall, and Bristol emerging as a leader in contemporary art (as well as being the birthplace of famous artist Banksy).

Agriculture is the other similarity between Carmel-by-the-Sea and the south of the United Kingdom. A large amount of land has always been dedicated to livestock in the UK’s south, and, as a result, cheddar cheese was created in these lands. Similarly, the Carmel Valley is renowned for agriculture and is the birthplace of Monterey jack cheese.

So, are you walking along the main street in Carmel, or are you in the Cotswolds? Are you in one of Carmel’s galleries, or are you in Cornwall? No, the two locations are not the same, but you’ll find more similarities than you think! But, maybe you disagree and think there’s a spot in Northern California more similar to a spot in Europe? Use our nomination form and tell us all about it!