Cool Weather Carmel, California Day Trip Suggestions by Ruth Paget
Over the past three decades that I have lived in Monterey – Salinas area, I have put together several resources for day trips to Carmel, California for fun and educational outings.
**Books to Read to Enhance Your Carmel Visit
-The Comstock Fairy Tale Cottages of Carmel by Joanne Matthewson
-Taking Tea: The Essential Guide to Brewing, Serving, and Entertaining with Teas from Around the World by Andrea Israel
-Tea: History Terroirs Varieties by Kevin Gascoyne, François Marchand, Jasmin Desharnais, and Hugo Mérici
-The Book of Cheese by Liz Thorpe
-The Great Book of Chocolate: The Chocolate Lover’s Guide with more than 50 Recipes by David Lebovitz
**Carmel Touring Games developed by Ruth Paget
-Labyrinth Walk with Pastry in Carmel Valley
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2024/10/labyrinth-walk-with-pastry-in-carmel.html
-Fashion District Family Outing in Carmel
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/10/fashion-district-family-outing-in.html
-La Pérouse the Explorer Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2018/04/la-perouse-explorer-historical-fashion.html
King Louis XVI of France commissioned the Comte de la Pérouse to do a naval scientific expedition around the world. One of La Pérouse’s stops was Carmel where he visited several sites. I have listed these in this game for a historical day trip to Carmel.
**Food and Beverage Games developed by Ruth Paget
-Darjeeling: The India Tea Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/10/darjeeling-india-tea-game-created-by.html
-Ballotin: The French Chocolate Buying and Selling Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2026/09/ballotin-french-chocolate-buying-and.html
-Camembert: Cheese Games
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2021/07/camembert-cheese-games-created-by-ruth.html
-Vienna: Coffee Games
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2021/07/vienna-coffee-games-created-by-ruth.html
-Matcha: The Japanese Tea Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2025/10/matcha-japanese-tea-game-created-by.html?m=1
-Sommelier: The Wine Facts Society Game
https://ruthpaget.blogspot.com/2019/02/sommelier-wine-facts-society-game.html
**Restaurants for light meals in Carmel, California
-Tuck Box – for tea, brunch, and some souvenirs like loose tea and teapots
-Little Napoli – for Neapolitan pizza and/or southern Italian cuisine
-Vesuvio – roof top dining. My daughter Florence Paget likes to go here with her friends for cocktails and appetizers during happy hour.
-De Tierra Tasting Room – offers Napa-style tastings if desired. For lunch, I like pinot gris and the cheese, fruit, and charcuterie board.
-Nielsen Brothers Market – for sandwiches and deli items
-Bagel Bakery - for bagel sandwiches and coffee
-Earthbound Farm – for farm-to-table salads, soups, and sandwiches out in the country along Carmel Valley Road
**Interesting Stores
-River House Books
-Cottage of Sweets
-Pieces of Heaven (chocolate shop)
-Jean de Luz (Basque store)
-The Cheese Shop
-Carmel Valley Roasting Company
-Gold Leaf Spices and Teas
-Lafayette Bakery
-Thinker Toys
-Pilgrim’s Way Bookstore
Carmel is a small town that is densely packed with interesting things to do.
By Ruth Paget
-author Eating Soup with Chopsticks, Marrying France, and Europe's Lessons written during overseas duty in Germany + 5 other Kindle books
-developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games + 8 Classical Western Civilization War Games
-developer of food and beverage war games
-creator of online exhibits about San Miguel Arcangel Mission, French baguette making, and the Carmel Valley History Center
-creator of French armchair travel and culture games
-writer of 2100+ Central Coast California lifestyle blogs
-family genealogist
-developer of 9 music theory blogs
