Thanks for the shout out… I’m starting to feel like a local after two years of carpet bagging. I’ll definitely share my opinions, in no particular order. First off, Carmel by the Sea is very different than the other side of the peninsula - PG and New Monterey. I have only eaten at a couple of Carmel restaurants in this whole time. Because of that, I’d go with @We’reTexas recommendations there, but I’ll list my thoughts.
Tommy’s Wok behind Wells Fargo in downtown is just barely ok Chinese. I really like the Treehouse Cafe for its outdoor deck, every visitor I’ve taken there has really enjoyed it.
In Monterey, I love Sea Harvest to buy my fish, but they also sell it prepared and it’s really good and reasonably priced.
In PG, my favorite fish place is Wild Fish. It’s new, it’s expensive, and really excellent. Live jazz with dinner. Worth a visit no matter what. We’ve eaten at Passionfish and I must be one of the few who wasn’t impressed. Their wine list is great and pretty reasonably priced, but my entree and my wife’s weren’t any thing special.
Folktale is really fun, and a short drive into the valley from Hwy 1. There is also a good little restaurant that direction named the Corkscrew Cafe, which several friends in the valley love. I’ve eaten there twice and definitely enjoyed it.
For activities, it depends how physically capable everyone is but there are dozens of beautiful hikes: Jacks Peak (best view of the bay), Garland Park in Carmel Valley, any number in Big Sur from Pfeiffer to Garrapata to the previously mentioned Point Lobos. I’ll be a little contrarian and say Point Lobos, while beautiful and interesting, is not the best experience because it gets pretty packed in on weekends.
If you want beaches, it’s not for swimsuits. You’re going to wear a jacket or a wetsuit. Surf spots are mainly Asilomar in PG (my favorite place in the world) and occasionally Carmel, but besides that you’re going to Santa Cruz. For walking beaches though, Carmel, Carmel River, and Julia Pfeiffer in Big Sur are probably the other highlights.
We’re members of the aquarium and it deserves all the accolades it gets - really spectacular place for the whole family. The rest of Cannery Row is meh as is the Wharf in Monterey. The whale watching is awesome if you don’t get seasick. Ocean is flattest before noon, so take an early tour. It’s expensive though…
Lovers Point in PG has kayak rentals and usually is easy to paddle out and see otters frolicking in the kelp. Moss Landing has calmer water and equal amounts of cool wildlife but is not nearly as beautiful a setting.
Last, if you are looking for a Sunday brunch or a place to stay, Mission Ranch (Clint’s place) is so cool. Views of point lobos, sheep in the tidal river flat behind the hotel, and beautiful huge trees all around.
I’ve probably forgotten something blindingly obvious so I may hop back in if it comes to me.