Carmel Weddings
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Carmel-by-the-Sea, usually called simply Carmel, is a small town endowed with a rich artistic history situated on the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey County, California. In 1906, the San Francisco Call devoted a full page to the "artists, poets and writers of Carmel-by-the-Sea" and in 1910 it reported that 60 percent of Carmel's houses were built by citizens who were "devoting their lives to work connected to the aesthetic arts." Early City Councils were dominated by artists and the town has had several mayors who were poets or actors including Herbert Heron, founder of the Forest Theater, and actor-director Clint Eastwood, who was mayor for one term, from 1986 to 1988. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 4,081. When referring to this city or its attributes, the name Carmel is pronounced "car-MEL".
Carmel-By-The-Sea is a beautiful oceanside town along California's Highway 1, complete with dramatic views, white beaches, friendly locals and great food. A mostly upper-class destination for adults, the town itself is small - you can walk across it in five minutes - but filled to the brim with art galleries, cafes, restaurants and inns. Every evening, visitors gather on the pristine beach to watch colorful sunsets.
Temperatures in September are perfect - 70 to 80 degrees F during the day and 50's at night. Bring sweaters and dress in layers for all-day activities.
Carmel Valley is the valley formed by the Carmel River, flowing some 20 miles from the Santa Lucia mountains to the Pacific Ocean. The town of Carmel Valley is located 12 miles inland from Highway 1, on Carmel Valley Road. Quite often, when Carmel-By-The-Sea is fogged in, Carmel Valley is sunny and warm.
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Carmel Weddings
Traditions
Why Carmel?
Marriage License Requirements
Marriage licenses can be obtained from the County Clerk at the County Government Administration Building in Salinas, on the first floor of 168 West Alisal Street. The bride and groom must appear together with appropriate identification. The cost is $69 (out-of-state checks and credit cards not accepted). The office is open Mon-Fri from 8am-4:30pm, closed Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. The license is valid in any California county for 90 days; if you are already California residents, you can obtain the license in your home county in advance—just don’t forget it!
How To Get There
Get in
By Air
The nearby Monterey Airport (MRY) offers connecting service through a number of different airlines. The airport also handles a large volume of private air traffic.
By Car
Carmel is reachable by car. Take scenic Highway 1 south from the Bay Area or north from Central Coast (California).
By Train
Amtrak's Coast Starlight passes through nearby Salinas. Amtrak runs a bus service from the station to Carmel with some stops in Monterey in-between. The train at can be slow and is often delayed. The food is okay, but sometimes limited so you might want to bring your own food or snacks.
Get around
The town and nearby beach can be seen on foot, but you'll need a car to explore the coastline. Street parking is generally free for a couple of hours at a time. There is also a garage at Carmel Plaza (Ocean & Junipero). Many area hotels offer parking spots to guests, but be prepared for a tight squeeze.
Bicycling is an option but should be undertaken with care, as many of Carmel's streets can be hilly, windy, or leave little room to pass.
There are few local buses in this area; however, routes run primarily between Carmel and Monterey instead of around Carmel. There is also a "wine route" (route 24) that takes you out into the Carmel Valley, stopping at about ten local wineries and vineyards along the way. Buses along the wine route stop at each of ten destinations hourly. A unlimited use day pass for this all-day, every-day route costs $4.50 per adult, (half price for seniors, disabled people, and children). Ocean Avenue is downtown's main street, sloping from the highway all the way down to the beach. Along the way admire the many shops, coffee houses, and galleries.
Scenic Drive meanders along the curve of the beach. A packed dirt path along the roadside is a favorite with local joggers and dog-walkers. Scenic Drive sometimes yields surprisingly convenient (and free!) parking spaces.
Get out
- Drive north to Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf for clam chowder and an ocean tour.
- Go further north on Highway 1 to Santa Cruz for the boardwalk amusement park.
- Travel south along Highway 1 for breathtaking views of the coastline - you'll feel as though you are at the end of the world.
- Point Lobos State Reserve and the State Parks comprising Big Sur make for an amazing afternoon drive and hiking session.
Insider Tips
VAT & Taxes
Sales tax in Carmel is 7.25%. The tax on hotel rooms is 10%.
Best Time to Go
Climate
Carmel, CA Weather
Carmel, CA climate is mild during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 60's and cool during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 50's.
The warmest month of the year is September with an average maximum temperature of 71.40 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is December with an average minimum temperature of 43.20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be fairly limited during summer with a difference that can reach 16 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 17 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Carmel is 20.35 Inches. Winter months tend to be wetter than summer months. The wettest month of the year is January with an average rainfall of 4.19 Inches.
Normal Climate
Normal Temperatures
(MONTEREY Weather station, 1.71 miles from Carmel) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Max °F 59.8 61.4 61.9 64.1 64.6 66.9 68.1 69.5 71.4 69.9 64.2 59.7 65.1 Mean °F 51.6 53.1 53.8 55.4 56.6 58.7 60.2 61.4 62.3 60.4 55.5 51.5 56.7 Min °F 43.4 44.7 45.7 46.6 48.5 50.4 52.3 53.2 53.1 50.9 46.7 43.2 48.2
Normal Precipitation
(MONTEREY Weather station, 1.71 miles from Carmel) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual Inch 4.19 3.75 3.53 1.48 0.50 0.20 0.09 0.11 0.28 1.06 2.43 2.73 20.35