Golf in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small incorporated city in Monterey County on the Monterey Peninsula, south of the city of Monterey. The city has a distinctive character shaped partly by local ordinances that limit commercial signage, restrict chain retail outlets, and impose style rules on new buildings. Carmel-by-the-Sea has a strong arts community, with numerous galleries concentrated in the compact downtown commercial area. The city fronts Carmel Bay to the south of the Monterey Peninsula, with the coast facing west and southwest toward the Pacific. The local economy is driven by tourism, arts, and services for a year-round visitor population. State Route 1 provides coastal access through the area. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, south of the city, is a significant natural area. Carmel-by-the-Sea has one of the smaller city populations in California while maintaining a substantial economic and cultural presence.