Carmel, often also called Carmel-by-the-Sea, is one of the most beautiful towns along the California coast. Located off of stunning Highway 1, Carmel is well known for its upscale restaurants and boutiques, famous residents, and stunning beautiful properties. Although Carmel is a smaller town, it offers visitors and residents alike a wide range of galleries, cafes, restaurants, and beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy. If you’re thinking of finding your next home in Carmel, chances are, you’ll find plenty about it to love!
A Look at Carmel's History
The area that is now Carmel was first colonized by the Spanish in the 1770s and is known for its uniquely Spanish architecture, including The Mission San Carlos Borrmeo de Carmelo. After California joined the United States, Carmel continued to grow, as a destination for artists and creatives, and as a popular place for tourists from across the country and around the world. It is a diverse city, full of much to see and do, and one that is very friendly and welcoming to the LGBTQ community. Truly, it would be a great place to call home.
A Few Fun Facts About Carmel
Read more fun facts about Carmel here.
Carmel’s LGBTQ Community
Carmel is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG of Santa Cruz County, or PFLAG SCC for short, is Carmel’s nearby chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
Monterey Peninsula Pride regularly holds events for the LGBTQ community throughout the year, as well as hosting the annual Monterey Peninsula Pride Festival in June. It's a great way to get involved with the LGBTQ community in Monterey, and to feel supported, connected, and celebrated while helping others to do the same.
What's the Weather Like in Carmel?
Those who live in Carmel can expect to experience fairly mild, slightly cooler weather year-round, with short, dry, and comfortable summers, and cooler, partly cloudy winters. Over the course of the year, the temperature usually ranges between 43ºF and 67ºF throughout the year. Those who live in Carmel can expect an average of around 18 inches of rain on average, per year, and no snow.
Can’t-Miss Events in Carmel
Monterey Peninsula Pride is the area’s annual LGBTQ pride celebration, and it’s one event that you’ll definitely want to put on your calendar. If you love parades, parties, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to connect with a community where all can feel celebrated and encouraged to be who they are, the Pride celebration is one event that you’ll definitely want to put on your calendar.
The Best Neighborhoods in Carmel
If you’re thinking of making a move to Carmel, you will find that the entire area is very welcoming. Unlike some larger cities that tend to have one specific “gayborhood,” the LGBTQ community in Carmel is sprinkled throughout the area, so truly, anywhere in the city would make a wonderful place to call home.
There are a wide variety of home styles available, although all tend to be on the more expensive side. If a more expensive home is in your budget, however, there are truly some beautiful options available in this area. The median list price of homes currently for sale in the Carmel area is around $2.9 million.
Arts and Entertainment
Carmel has always been a mecca for the creative and artistic, and it has a long and rich history in the arts. Two of its most well-known venues include:
Sunset Theatre is widely considered by many to be the best live music venue on the Monterey Peninsula. This beautiful, cozy, 718-seat theater is home to the Monterey County Symphony and the Carmel Bach Festival and is known for hosting some of the best musical talent from across the country and around the world.
The Forest Theatre Guild has been staging plays at the beautiful and unique Outdoor Forest Theater for more than 100 years. The Forest Theater is considered to be the oldest outdoor theater in the western United States, and every year there are a wide variety of performances in many genres for guests to enjoy.
Parks and Recreation
Carmel is known for its beautiful natural scenery, and of course, that includes its stunning beaches. Carmel Beach, at the foot of Ocean Avenue, offers visitors and residents alike the opportunity to enjoy sun, surf, and sand in gorgeous surroundings. Carpeted with soft-white sand, Carmel Beach is on the bucket list of beach-lovers For those who prefer to view the gorgeous scenery from their car, a cruise down Scenic Road is a perfect outing on a beautiful Carmel Day. The 17-mile drive offers stunning vistas in every direction. It shouldn’t be missed.
Carmel Nightlife
Barmel is a lively bar with a great stage that features a variety of performances and themed events. The food and drinks are excellent, and the crowds are friendly and welcoming. It’s definitely a must-try spot during a night out in Carmel!
Located in nearby Castroville, Franco’s is a great place to try if you’re in the mood for great music, a lively dance floor, strong drinks, and friendly people.
Contact a Carmel Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Carmel, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Carmel, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Carmel gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
