2) Carmel by the Sea
As its name implies, Carmel is on California’s beautiful central coast; and is an ideal destination when you want a couple of days away from it all. The city has been on weekend travelers’ lists of best places to go for years; and that you’ll be hard-pressed to come up with something it doesn’t have to offer. It is renowned for its high-end shopping boutiques, its stunning collection of art galleries, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Point Lobos State Reserve Park. For those who are interested in architecture or literature, there is the Frank Lloyd Wright House or the National Steinbeck Center. Another must-see site is the Carmel Mission, one of 21 historic Spanish missions for which California is known. If nothing else appeals to you, you can always get a sandwich, and go watch the sea otters at play.
