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The Insider's Guide to Carmel-by-the-Sea
Enjoy Carmel gives you an insider's taste of Carmel-by-the-Sea through guided food tours featuring tastings at top restaurants, local wine experiences, and visits to the specialty shops and hidden gems that define this stretch of the California coast. Whether you're visiting for the first time or planning a group getaway, we have a tour for you.
The Carmel Classic is where it all started — a three-hour guided walking tour through the charming streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea featuring five tastings at beloved local restaurants and specialty shops. With 850+ five-star reviews, it's the original Carmel food tour and still the essential way to experience the village. Open to the public and available year-round.
Vine & Village is the wine lover's walk through Carmel-by-the-Sea — a private group experience featuring four curated wine (or other adult beverage) tastings paired with local bites. Perfect for corporate retreats, friend getaways, and golf groups looking for an afternoon that feels effortless and unforgettable.
Curated Carmel is our most exclusive private tour — a fully curated experience featuring food and beverage tastings, an upscale boutique visit with an insider discount, and a specialty shop finale with a custom shipping option. Designed for incentive groups, VIP entertainment, and bucket-list trips, this is your all-access pass to the best of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Looking for something more interactive? Our Carmel Scavenger Hunt is a fun, engaging team activity that gets your group exploring the village together — perfect for team-building, celebrations, or anyone who likes a little friendly competition with their Carmel experience.
Every tour is led by an expert local guide who brings Carmel's history, food culture, and coastal charm to life. Let us help you find the perfect experience.
Explore Our Food Tours & Experiences
Carmel-by-the-Sea Classic Food Tour
Discover the culinary delights and hidden gems of Carmel-by-the-Sea with our Classic Food Tour. This three-hour walking tour takes you through the charming streets of Carmel, where you'll enjoy five tastings at local eateries and shops. Along the way, you'll learn about the town's unique history, architecture, and culture, making it a truly immersive experience. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this tour offers a delicious and insightful look into the heart of Carmel.
Private Tours
Experience Carmel-by-the-Sea like never before with our exclusive Private Tours. Tailored to your group's interests, these tours offer a unique opportunity to explore the charming town at your own pace. Whether you're interested in culinary delights, historical insights, or scenic vistas, our private tours provide a personalized experience that caters to your preferences.
Our Private Tours are perfect for groups looking to enjoy a customized itinerary. You can choose the start time, duration, and specific tastings or activities that interest you the most. With the flexibility to deviate from standard tours, you can create a truly unique adventure that suits your group's needs.
Led by knowledgeable local guides, our Private Tours ensure you get the most out of your visit to Carmel. Discover hidden gems, savor local flavors, and immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of this picturesque town. Book your private adventure today and make unforgettable memories with your group.
Bay Area & Silicon Valley Corporate Offsites
Bring your Bay Area or Silicon Valley team to Carmel-by-the-Sea for a corporate offsite they'll actually look forward to. Just 2 hours from San Francisco and 90 minutes from San Jose, Carmel offers the perfect mix of world-class food, coastal charm, and team-building experiences — no flights, no hotels required. Unlike a typical resort offsite, Carmel itself is the activity: a walkable village where exceptional food, local history, and coastal beauty do the work of bringing people together naturally. Whether you're planning an intimate leadership retreat or an energetic group event for 100+, we have a curated experience for your team.
The Art of the Plate Tour
This Culinary Week tour brings together four of Carmel’s most exciting restaurants for an exclusive afternoon of tastings created just for the event. Visit El Bistro by the Sea, Grasing’s, Toro Sushi, and finish with a signature cocktail at Bar Napoli. Enjoy a curated progression of flavors and behind-the-scenes hospitality as each stop serves a special Culinary Week item. Spaces are limited and the experience is available for a short window during the week.
Team Building – Scavenger Hunt
The Carmel Caper Team Building Scavenger Hunt is an exciting and interactive experience designed to bring teams closer together. Set in the charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, this scavenger hunt uses a customized app to guide participants through a series of creative challenges and location-based clues. Teams will explore the town's art, architecture, and hidden courtyards while competing to earn the most points and claim victory.
Why choose us?
We Bring You To Important Locations Representing Carmel's Unique Food Culture
Carmel Food Tours® offers the only experience of its kind for wine and food tastings at local restaurants that represent Carmel's cultural and culinary traditions. Focused on much more than food, our tours are led by entertaining local guides ready to share insights about the history, architecture, and culture of Carmel.
Your great guide will ensure that you're nourished by the perfect blend of interesting attractions and amazing food that can only be found here in Carmel! Be prepared to walk away as a newly minted Carmel foodie expert!
Tasty
Ready to experience some of the best food in Carmel? From off-the-beaten-path food gems to iconic eateries, there's something for everyone on our highly rated food tours. Tasting experiences cover lig...
Ready to experience some of the best food in Carmel? From off-the-beaten-path food gems to iconic eateries, there's something for everyone on our highly rated food tours. Tasting experiences cover light bites, wine tastings, and sweets! This is the ultimate experience if you want to be introduced to the best foods, libations, and desserts on the Carmel food scene. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy your surroundings and ask questions of the chef. Each experience is perfectly paced to ensure that your samplings leave you feeling satisfied.
Informational
Carmel Food Tours® brings you to the most interesting locations in Carmel! Our tours are carefully curated by our expert team to blend incredible views with excepti...
Carmel Food Tours® brings you to the most interesting locations in Carmel! Our tours are carefully curated by our expert team to blend incredible views with exceptional food. Tour options bring you to places situated along the beach, the West End Arts District, and Carmel's most enchanted streets. Our entertaining local guides will chime in to discuss the history and fun facts of the areas you're exploring while you take in your surroundings with awe, wonder, and appreciation!
Engaging
From our scavenger hunts for work teams to our mural photo tours crafted specifically to help you fill your Instagram wall with beauty, Carmel Food Tours® prioritizes your engagement at every step! O...
From our scavenger hunts for work teams to our mural photo tours crafted specifically to help you fill your Instagram wall with beauty, Carmel Food Tours® prioritizes your engagement at every step! Our interactive tours ignite your taste for adventure. However, there's plenty of time to stop along the way to rest while taking in the scenery and ambiance! Feel free to ask questions or make suggestions once you're on the road with your knowledgeable, friendly tour guide.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Carmel-by-the-Sea is one of the most extraordinary places for a tasting tour! Nestled on California's Monterey Peninsula, this charming beach village is renowned for its stunning coastal beauty and sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere. Its enchanting scenery and vibrant culinary scene make it a true gem on the Central Coast.
With its proximity to world-class vineyards in Monterey County—boasting more wine-growing acreage than Napa or Sonoma—Carmel attracts celebrated chefs, talented sommeliers, and artisanal bakers who elevate the local dining experience. Visitors from around the globe come to explore attractions like the Scenic Bluff Path, Carmel River State Beach, and the historic Carmel Mission, all while soaking in the timeless charm of one of America’s most picturesque coastal destinations.
Frequently asked questions
We offer a variety of food tours, including walking tours, bike tours, and pop-up cooking classes.
Yes, private group tours are available. Visit our Private Tours page to learn more.
Yes, tickets must be purchased in advance. Tours often sell out so we recommend purchasing your tickets early to guarantee your desired tour day.
We do not provide a waiting list. Tour tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sure! Our gift cards are the perfect way to give your special someone the gift of a great experience, and still give them the freedom to choose the date and activity for themselves.
Our tour prices are subject to change (infrequently, but it occurs every few years). We will always honor the VALUE of your e-certificate, and you’ll be responsible for any balance due when you decide to see if it still works after finding it in your drawer from four birthdays ago.
Recent news
16 Best Things to Do in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
By Carmel Food Tours | Updated June 2026 | 8 min read People come to Carmel-by-the-Sea expecting a nice beach town and leave wondering why they don't live here. It's small — you can walk end to end in twenty…
The Insider's Guide to Eating Your Way Through Carmel-by-the-Sea
Forget the curated brochures. A local breaks down the hidden gems, the stories behind the plates, and the one experience that ties it all together. Most visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea come for the fairy-tale cottages and the white sand beach. They…
Why Carmel-by-the-Sea Is the Perfect Team Offsite Destination for Bay Area & Silicon Valley Companies
There's a moment that happens at every great company offsite — the one where your team actually exhales. Laptops close, Slack notifications fade into the background, and people start talking to each other again. Not about sprints or OKRs, but…