This Quaint Destination With Fairytale Beauty Was Crowned California's Prettiest Town

Some towns are pretty because they happen to sit where nature has strikingly arranged itself. Others have been invested with beauty through human creation, from ornate buildings to manicured gardens. It takes a bit of both for a town to stand out over the competition and truly surprise visitors with its beauty. While California may seem disproportionately endowed with pretty places, from foggy redwood groves to golden beaches, one little coastal enclave is on another level. 

Architectural Digest named Carmel-by-the-Sea the prettiest town in California in a 2026 ranking. Located in lush Monterey County, the city boasts a crescent of white sand on the Pacific and a single-square-mile village full of whimsical cottages seemingly plucked straight from a storybook. Even an ordinary walk to coffee here can feel enchanted. It's hard to single out one thing that makes Carmel-by-the-Sea so beguiling: Is it the beach? The flowers spilling over cottage window sills? The curlicued, cobblestone streets? Architectural Digest said its selection was especially interested in places that combine visual appeal with a strong cultural character. 

Naturally, it singled out Carmel-by-the-Sea's architectural features, including the restored Carmel Mission and the fairytale cottages of its downtown, while the silky white sands of Carmel Beach also gave it a boost. But some of Carmel's prettiest details are less obvious, too. The town has over 40 courtyards and passageways, which you'll need to wander curiously around town to discover, tucked between shops and galleries. Meanwhile, along Scenic Road, a coastal path runs through Monterey cypresses with views towards the Clinton Walker House, Frank Lloyd Wright's only oceanfront residence.

Full of historic sites and quaint boutiques, Carmel-by-the-Sea's village buildings can feel suspiciously fantastical, with their half-timbered walls and stone chimneys. These cottages weren't built as Disney-like tourist attractions, however, but rather were created as actual homes in the 1920s when the town was developing as an artists' colony, per the Carmel Chamber of Commerce. Over 20 of the original cottages still dot the village. The very first cottage built and its companion — aptly named "Hansel" and "Gretel" — stand on Torres Street, surrounded by wood fencing and gardens. You can walk by them, but note that these are private homes. You might then walk towards Dolores Street for about 10 minutes to see Tuck Box, one of Carmel's recognizable fairytale buildings, now a restaurant.

Some secret passageways and leafy courtyards help make Carmel-by-the-Sea one of California's destinations that could pass for Europe. One you could duck into is Der Ling Lane, considered Carmel's oldest public alleyway. You'll find its narrow arched entrance on Ocean Avenue between Dolores and Lincoln Streets (not listed on Google Maps), then follow a cobbled path to a secluded little courtyard garden. Another picturesque courtyard worth stopping at for a pretty view is the Court of the Fountains, where you'll see billowing flower pots, a gazebo, and a fountain pool. It's located behind the Anton & Michel restaurant.

The beachfront is another big reason Carmel-by-the-Sea earns its place among America's prettiest towns. At the foot of Ocean Avenue, Carmel Beach curves into sugary sand backed not by the usual wall of condos or resorts but by cypress trees and grassy bluffs. Based on research from SpinBlitz (reported via New Jersey 101.5), Carmel Beach scored the top spot for America's most beautiful beach. The bluff-top Scenic Path is one spot to take in the view of the prettiest beach in California's prettiest town on foot, with multiple staircases leading down to the sand along the way.

If you'd rather take in Carmel's prettiness from behind the wheel, Scenic Road is basically a 1.5-mile-long highlight reel of the town's coastal views. From the northern end, the road runs alongside the beach, with the Pacific opening up beside you. As you continue south, the coastline gets more rugged, marked by rocky headlands. At the end of the beach, you'll pass Frank Lloyd Wright's Clinton Walker House, nicknamed the "Cabin on the Rocks." The house was built atop granite boulders, making it seem almost fused with the rocky point beneath it. If you drive 15 minutes beyond Scenic Road, you'll also reach the Cypress Grove Trail, a very easy hike with more unmatched views. You could drive to Carmel-by-the-Sea in just about 10 minutes from Monterey (home to the Monterey Regional Airport), making it an easy detour from the city or for a road trip stop along the California coast.