Carmel, CA
 

Hi All!
Carmel is my retirement dream and I cross the country to visit any chance I get. I don't have the budget for the oceanfront cottages so we usually go with one of the Inn's close to the water.
We've flown in and out of SFO multiple times and I was just wondering if we should look at San Jose (SJC). Can anyone tell me anything about that airport? We'd be renting a car from there as well. I'm not as aggressive a driver as I once was and I'll be traveling with my senior mom so hoping it may be a calmer experience than SFO.

I welcome any other Carmel recommendations or accommodation ideas. Thanks in advance!

San Jose is a fine airport - much smaller scale than SFO, but sill a lot of flights from all over. Not as many long haul flights as SFO.

Thank you!

San Jose Airport is a great idea --will save time and hassle to get to Carmel.

We like Carriage Hose Inn, which is in town, just off Ocean Ave. Small scale, charm, but not with water views.

SJC is a great airport. I regularly fly in and out of SJC and SFO - and SJC is almost always an easier experience. It is smaller, security lines are easier, driving in and out is easier. The rental cars are in a parking garage directly across from one of the terminals, and once you get your car, you exit the garage, loop around on the main airport road, and can catch Hwy 87, 101, or 880 very easily.

Look at Monterey Airport too.

Monterey Airport would be best if you can get decent connections/fare. Even if you have to connect somewhere - it could very well be faster than a non-stop into SJC and the drive down to Carmel.

But if that doesn't work -- SJC is a much better option that SFO IMO. Smaller, more convenient, easier rental car collection, and an hour closer to Monterey

We deleted some irrelevant posts.

going to carmel
 

i agree about SJC airport. We have been coming to Monterey for 10 years. Recently flights to Monterey are much more expensive than flights to SJC. There are inexpensive motels in Pacific grove that are adequate and close to Carmel, like the Deer Haven Inn. But you want to be withinwalking distance to Ocean Ave. in Carmel..