don512

I have reservations at the Carmel Bay View Inn near 5th & Junipero in late April. Anybody with any recent experiences with this hotel? Any suggestions for dining options in the area? Reservations necessary for weekend nights? Are weekends very busy in Carmel at the end of April? I will be coming from Yosemite on Friday and staying in Carmel Friday and Saturday night. I would like to travel down to Big Sur on my trip there. Would it be better to do this on my way to Carmel or just wait until Saturday and drive down? If I go on the way there on Friday, any suggestions on what to do on Saturday?

HuisClos

As for restaurants, I would look at the rants & raves section of Fodors restaurant guide for the Monterey Peninsula area. Most of the restaurants near your hotel are GREAT. You might need reservations for one or two of them, but your hotel can usually call and get you in.

From Yosemite, you'll be going in a direction to Carmel that does not go through Big Sur (it's further south). My advice is, once you check in to the hotel in Carmel, find out what the weather is like. If rain is anticipated on Saturday, go to Big Sur Friday, assuming you have at least 3 daylight hours left. If it is NOT going to rain on Saturday, you've already spent a lot of time driving to get to Carmel, so chill their overnight, and go to Big Sur on Sat. around lunch time. It's a half hour drive and gorgeous. You do not want to be on that road at night.

Bob1

Good advice above. If you do drive Big Sur look for ROCKY POINT RESTAURANT. It will be on the right driving south, before you hit the first big bridge. There will be a sign on the road. Drive down the lane to the restaurant and have a drink. Nice views of the ocean, outdoor patio weather permitting.

Farther down is NEPENTHE. More great views and nice, different shop to explore.

Restaurants? A new one in the area by a well known chef is BAHAMA BILLYS. It is located in the Barnyard Shopping Center off HWY 1. Great food, ambiance. Plus, the Barnyard is a beautiful shopping area...better than downtown Carmel.

ROYS at the Spanish Bay resort is also good. Get there early to enjoy the bagpiper playing at sundown. They have firepits set outside with view of the ocean to enjoy the scenery and the sunset. Roy's is then a few steps away, also with views of the ocean.

IL FORNAIO is part of a chain, but the one located in the PINE INN on Ocean Avenue is very good. Nice bar, good service and right downtown Carmel.

You can add to this list forever. This area filled with good eating places. When in doubt, ask the hotel.

Lovejoy

A good local restaurant in Carmel is The Flying Fish Grill.Not to touristy,and close to your hotel.Heres a link.
http://www.restauranteur.com/flyingfish/

SloPugs

Pack layers of clothing. The weather could be sunny and very warm, or cook, with bone-chilling fog. I would do Big Sur on your way back after a good night's rest. YOu want to take the curves while you are wide awake and not after a long drive.

Betsy

Two more good Carmel restaurants for Don: Casanova and Rio Grill.

SloPugs

Good restaurant is Forge in the Forest. Nice patio, all brick and with pireplaces. You can bring your dog. Even if you don't have one, it's still worth going. I got this recommendation (as I often do) by talking to a local. It was not in my guidebook.