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Virtual Guidebook to Monterey, Big Sur and the Central Coast
Ocean Avenue
Carmel-by-the-Sea California
The main drag in Carmel-by-the-Sea (its legal name) is Ocean Avenue, which runs straight downhill to the beach. It is unabashedly touristy but has a unique charm. There are no fast food or franchise stores in Carmel, nor are there street numbers or home dleivery of mail. All trees belong to the city, which emplys a municipal forester to take care of them.
Carmel is major art center, with about 40 galleries. It was founded by artists, writers, and associated Bohemians back around 1900. Writer Mary Aystin lived in a treehouse, and photographer Edward Weston built a granite castle. But not many working artists can afford to live here now.
 | War memorial on Ocean Avenue, Carmel (December 13, 2005) | |
 | The Carmel public library, Ocean Avenue (December 13, 2005) | |
 | Carmel's Lamplighter Inn (December 13, 2005) | |
 | The Cottage of Sweets, a Carmel institution (December 13, 2005) | |