With a population of less than 4,000 and famous for its great beach, amazing homes, artsy vibe, and nice downtown area anchored by Ocean Avenue, Carmel is for many the perfect beach town to spend a day or two. It also has a rich history, colonized by the Spaniards in the late 18th century, and in fact is home to one of California's most famous and fetching Spanish missions, San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo (pictured) which is still an active place of worship as well as site of many cultural events and activities. The 97-acre (120 hectare) Carmel River State Beach just south of town has a mile-long strand and is popular with hikers, kayakers, and birders attracted to its fecund lagoon.

It's just one of the enticing stops on Tripatini member Teresa Brashear's post A Fantastic California Road Trip: San Francisco to Carmel.

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