Territory capital · United States
Carmel Valley
Spend 1–2 days in Carmel Valley: a day for wineries and park, another night if you stay at a lodge or ranch.
Carmel Valley is a small inland community in Monterey County with a cluster of wineries, a large regional park and a few lodging options. One full day covers wine tasting and outdoor activities; add a night for a relaxed stay at a lodge or ranch.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, fire risk)
- Airport
- MRY
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Carmel Valley911 ▾
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Carmel Valley, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyCarmel Valley is generally safe; typical US small‑town precautions apply.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / fire / ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMRY Monterey Regional Airport (About 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Carmel Valley; rental cars and shuttles available (check schedule).).MRY Monterey Regional Airport (About 9.3 mi (15 km) north of Carmel Valley; rental cars and shuttles available (check schedule).).
- Getting aroundMost village sites are walkable; use a car for dispersed wineries.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MRY Monterey Regional Airport (About 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Carmel Valley; rental cars and shuttles available (check schedule).)MRY Monterey Regional Airport (About 9.3 mi (15 km) north of Carmel Valley; rental cars and shuttles available (check schedule).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
Best
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Dec (10 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Carmel Valley: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Most village sites are walkable; use a car for dispersed wineries. Monterey Salinas Transit route 24 runs hourly from Monterey to the village.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Carmel-by-the-Sea
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Drive east on Carmel Valley Rd, about 13 mi
Coastal town with shops, beach and historic mission.
Monterey
goDoor to door: ≈25 min
Drive north on Highway 1, about 15 mi
Aquarium, Cannery Row and historic downtown.
Big Sur (Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park)
cautionDoor to door: ≈45 min
Drive south on Highway 1, about 30 mi
Scenic drive; check road closures in winter.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Carmel Valley Lodge
Pet‑friendly hotel with rooms, suites and cottages; central to village.
Carmel Valley Ranch
Luxury resort on 400 acres with golf, tennis, pool and restaurant.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–$100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–$180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Watch out
Safety
- Rattlesnakes may appear on trails; wear boots and watch footing.
- Some wineries are remote; plan driving time or join a shuttle tour.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Fire / Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Carmel ValleyCarmel Valley
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Embassy
US citizens can contact the nearest US consulate in San Francisco (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Monterey Salinas Transit route 24: about US$2–3 each way, hourly service (check schedule)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disculpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra-thi-as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan-to kwes-ta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the restroom? (don-de es-ta el ba-nyo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Carmel Valley. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, fire risk) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Carmel Valley
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