Carmel's quiet season: explore the original art town by the sea on a poster budget

$178.80

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Carmel Beach

Jogging down Ocean Ave. and eavesdropping on locals

Free

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Downtown Carmel

Window shopping at chic shops

Free

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Kurt's Carmel Chop House

Meaty dinner with all the fixings

$54.19

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DAY 2

Carmel Coffee & Cocoa Bar

Fancy caffeinated breakfast

$7

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Carmel Valley wine tour

Tastings plus winery tours

$10

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Corkscrew Bistro and Wine Bar

Salad and sandwich in wine country

$26.41

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Garland Ranch Regional Park

Hiking under oaks and bay laurels

Free

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The Cheese Shop

Picnic dinner with plenty of samples

$33.27

Carmel River State Beach

Ocean panorama with seagulls

Free

Indoor Forest Theatre

An evening show in the nick of time

$36

DAY 3

Breakfast at the hotel

Danishes and coffee

Free

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Carmel Mission Basilica

California history and overgrown garden

$10

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Seventeen Mile Drive

Ogling encampments of the rich with the wind in our hair

$8.50

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Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds

Poking around tidepools

Free

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Point Pinos Lighthouse

150 years of signals in the dark

$4

Red House Cafe

Contented lunch on the porch

$21.23

TOTAL $389.40

RELATED ARTICLE: Carmel for less

For a travel planner, contact the Carmel Chamber of Commerce (www.carmelcalifornia.org or 800/550-4333).

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Lodging and dining

Candlelight Inn. From $131. San Carlos St. at Fourth Ave.; 800/433-4732.

Carmel Coffee & Cocoa Bar. $. Carmel Plaza, Ocean Ave. at Junipero St.; 831/622-0660.

The Cheese Shop. Carmel Plaza; 800/828-9463.

Corkscrew Bistro and Wine Bar. $$; call for hours. 55 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley Village; 831/659-8888.

Kurt's Carmel Chop House. $$$. Fifth Ave. at San Carlos St.; 831/625-1199.

The Normandy Inn. From $79. Ocean Ave. at Monte Verde St.; 831/624-3825.

Red House Cafe. $; closed Mon. 662 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove; 831/643-1060.

Sights

Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds. On Sunset Dr., Pacific Grove; 831/372-4076.

Carmel Beach. West end of Ocean Ave.; 831/620-2000.

Carmel Mission Basilica. $5. 3080 Rio Rd.; 831/624-1271.

Carmel River State Beach. End of Carmelo St., about 1 mile south of Ocean Ave.; 831/649-2836.

Chateau Julien Wine Estate. $5 tasting fee (free with tour); reservations required for tours. 8940 Carmel Valley Rd.; www.chateaujulie.com or 831/624-2600.

Garland Ranch Regional Park. On Carmel Valley Rd., east of State 1; 831/659-4488.

Heller Estate. $5 tasting fee. 69 W. Carmel Valley Rd.; 831/659-6220.

Homescapes, Carmel. Seventh Ave. at Dolores St.; 831/624-6499.

Indoor Forest Theatre. Mountain View Ave. at Santa Rita St.; 831/624-1531.

Point Pinos Lighthouse. Closed Tue-Wed; donation requested. 831/648-5716.

Seventeen Mile Drive. $8.50 per vehicle. Pebble Beach Resorts; 800/654-9300.