Carmel

Carmel lies on the southern side of the Monterey Peninsula. It's the poshest of the area's three towns, filled with art galleries and high-end shops, shaded beneath Monterey pine and cypress trees. As you might expect, it's a good place for a laid-back weekend or a romantic getaway.

Ready to Go? Use our Carmel Weekend Getaway Planner and you'll be ready in no time.

Carmel is Popular For: Romantic getaways, shopping and nearby Point Lobos and Monastery Beach are very popular with scuba divers.

How Far? Check the map at the beginning of this gallery to see which getaways are closest to your starting point. Most weekend-trippers limit their adventures to about three hours' travel time and most drive there. If you're going by car, Carmel is Within 200 Miles of Bakersfield, Fresno, Reno/Tahoe, Sacramento, San Francisco and San Jose.

If you don't mind flying, you can expand your range. Monterey has a commercial airport or try San Jose (SJC). Compare airfare prices at Kayak.com or check for last-minute specials at lastminute.com