Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Bohemian Art Scene: A Guide to 15 Galleries and Studios

This tour is a collaboration by Lynn Momboisse and Carmel Cares founder Dale Byrne. In the single square mile of Carmel-by-the-Sea there are approximately 20 wine rooms, 65 restaurants, and nearly 100 art galleries. On this walking tour around Ocean Avenue, I’ll direct you through quaint courtyards, past Carmel's public art pieces, and the front doors of 15 art galleries and studios. You will see what makes this small seaside city a mecca for modern day Bohemian artists.

This one-and-a-half-mile tour begins and ends at the world-famous, dog-friendly Cypress Inn. As you wind your way through the downtown area, you’ll hear directly from some local artists, learn what inspires them, and get the opportunity to view their work up close in their studios. I’ll also point out some of Carmel’s best galleries, and you’ll pass several more that you may want to check out on your own. End your walk with a bite to eat or relax with a drink at Terry’s Lounge inside Cypress Inn, famous for its 4pm Yappy Hour when dogs are allowed at the bar.

On this Carmel tour, you’ll have the chance to:

• Take in the Doud Arcade and the Carmel Art Association
• Listen to stories about some of Carmel’s earliest Bohemian artists
• Learn how Carmel became an artist’s colony
• Watch local artists at work in their studios (during their business hours only)
• Visit 18 art galleries and studios including Aaron Chang Gallery, Bennett Sculpture, Dawson Cole Gallery, Delia Bradford Studio, Gallery North, Joaquin Turner Gallery, Mary Titus Gallery, Winfield Gallery, and Zantman Art Galleries
• View and learn about the history behind Carmel’s public art including the Valentine, Carmel Post Office’s public art, the Carmel Shell Mural, Rain sculpture, and the Bill Bates Mural

This walking tour can be completed in about 90 minutes without any stops. On the other hand, this is your adventure and you can stop when you want, where you want, for as long as you want. It’s up to you!

Please note that artists keep unique hours. Many do not get into their studios until 10 or 11am, and some can only be visited by appointment. However, if they’re in-studio, the ones on this tour and others in town generally love to share their stories, so make sure you step inside and see what they’re currently working on. And, don't be afraid to support them with a purchase!

This tour covers only a portion of the galleries we have in town. As you walk the downtown area there are more than 80 other galleries that you can visit on your own in this art mecca if their doors are open.

Please review the “Precautions” section for important information about this walking tour.

The locations and phone numbers of all the galleries on this walking tour are listed in ”Places to Stop Along the Way.”

Music:

Redwood Trail by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.