Experience the charm of Carmel-by-the-sea on an electric bike tour. Explore historic landmarks, snow-white beaches, and fairy-tale cottages while learning the town’s fascinating history.
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Carmel - Discover a variety of architectural styles as you tour the town of Carmel-By-The-Sea.
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PacRep at the Forest Theater, Carmel - Visit the oldest amphitheater west of the Rockies, get inspired to watch a show, and learn about the origins of Carmel, founded by artists and built on community by two men named Frank.
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The House of Hansel & Gretel - The Hansel and Gretel houses in Carmel are life-size doll houses built out of love for a doll-maker. While the dozen on this block are private residences, there are many others in town that have been converted into shops and restaurants that your guide can point out.
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Fairy Tale Cottages of Hugh Comstock - As we pass by the historic cottages in Carmel, you’ll see six of these charming fairy tale cottages built by local architect Hugh Comstock in one block. For true enthusiasts, we can climb another steep hill to see five more.
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Devendorf Park - This park is Carmel’s central spot for outdoor events. It’s a perfect place for a picnic or to escape downtown and enjoy the quaint koi pond in the park’s corner. Note: no dogs allowed!
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Pine Inn - Carmel’s first hotel, combining historic elegance with modern comfort. Built in 1889 as Hotel Carmelo in Devendorf Park, it featured wood from the old Tivoli Opera House in San Francisco. Sixteen years later, as the town grew, the hotel was moved four blocks down Ocean towards the beach. The North wing was dismantled, and the main building was rolled along pine logs down the rugged, dirt road. Within a year, the hotel was refitted and enlarged with a stable and a sunroom overlooking the sea, and with the help of local contractor M.J. Murphy, it was reborn as the Pine Inn.
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The Valentine - This bronze sculpture by George Wayne Lundeen, called The Valentine, was installed in First Murphy Park in 1994. It’s a great photo spot while some in the group use the restroom before we head to the beachfront.
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First Murphy House - Built in 1902, the First Murphy House in Carmel is a historic Craftsman-style home featuring a low-pitched gable roof, wide eaves, and exposed rafters. The cozy interior includes hardwood floors, fireplace mantels, and built-in cabinets. Located in a quiet neighborhood a short walk from downtown Carmel, it is a beloved community landmark and currently houses the Carmel Heritage Society.
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Cottage of Sweets - Since 1959, the Cottage of Sweets has been Carmel’s go-to candy shop for the best treats on the west coast.
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Golden Bough Playhouse - This historic two-story theatre includes a 300-seat conventional theater in the front and a more intimate 150-seat circle theater in the back.
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Village of Fae - These charming fairy tale houses nestled among the trees add to Carmel’s allure.
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Carmel Beach - Located at the base of Ocean Avenue, Carmel Beach is a stunning white sandy beach backed by Gowen Cypress trees, known for surfing, dog-walking, and sunsets. It’s one of the most iconic spots on California’s Central Coast and is rated one of America’s top beach towns.
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Scenic Road Walkway - This iconic one-way road in Carmel offers breathtaking ocean views.
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Carmel Beach Boardwalk - As you pass by the beautiful Carmel Beach, be sure to take plenty of photos!
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Clinton Walker House - Frank Lloyd Wright - Also known as Cabin on the Rocks, this house on Carmel Point resembles a ship’s bow cutting through the waves. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1948 and completed in 1951 for Mrs. Clinton Della Walker of Pebble Beach, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The house, an example of Wright’s organic architecture, is built on granite boulders, uses local Carmel-stone, and has a sea-colored roof shaped like a ship’s bow. It is the only Frank Lloyd Wright house overlooking the ocean. Mrs. Clinton Walker wanted a house “as durable as the rocks and as transparent as the waves.” The house offers views of Carmel Bay and Pebble Beach.
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Robinson Jeffers Tor House Foundation - The Tor House and Hawk Tower evoke ancient Irish stone towers. The English-style cottage garden is rich in color, texture, and fragrance. Experience the atmosphere that inspired some of America’s finest poetry by original resident Robinson Jeffers and his family.
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Butterfly House - Located on Carmel Point, the Butterfly House is a Mid-century modern home with a unique wing-shaped roof, designed and built by architect Francis W. Wynkoop. Featured in Architectural Digest Magazine, it is one of the most expensive homes in Carmel, listed for $40 million in 2023.
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Carmel River State Beach - A wildlife haven where the Carmel River meets the sea.
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Mara Beach Carmel - This mile-long beach on Carmel Bay features a bird sanctuary in a lagoon, offering panoramic views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Point Lobos, one of our most iconic parks.
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Lincoln Green Inn - Known for its beautiful gardens, this stunning inn is surrounded by picturesque homes.
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Mission Ranch Restaurant - The historic Mission Ranch, sitting on 22 acres with spectacular views of Point Lobos, Carmel River Beach, and the Pacific Ocean, was once one of California’s first dairies. Its rich history from the 1800s was preserved and restored by former Carmel mayor Clint Eastwood.
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Carmel Mission - The crown jewel of the California Missions. We stop at the gate to the courtyard where you can take great pictures of this historic landmark, one of California’s oldest structures. Your guide will share stories from its early history as you admire the beautiful building and grounds.
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Mad Dogs & Englishmen Bike Shop Carmel, CA - By now, we hope you’ve fallen in love with the beauty and charm of Carmel-by-the-Sea. We welcome all feedback, so if you feel inclined, please leave us a review about your experience with us!
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- Use of ebike.
- Helmet
- Use of phone holder.
- Certain rental bikes may be exempt from tour usage.
You will ride from our bike shop in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea and explore cottages throughout Carmel. Passing several local historic sites, you will ride down the Carmel coastline along Scenic Drive; a one-way, 15-mile per hour road. You’ll pass landmarks such as the Tor House, Butterfly House, Carmel River State Beach, Clint Eastwood’s Mission Ranch, and the Carmel Mission, one of the most authentically restored Catholic mission churches in California.
The minimum for a non-private tour to operate is 4 people. If you reserve a tour date and we have less than 4 people sign up for the tour then we reserve the right to cancel the tour with a full refund, or convert the tour to a private guided tour (additional rates apply), or combine the tour with another tour at a different time that day, or convert the tour to a standard rental reservation (no tour guide). These options will be reviewed with the customer for their approval 24 hours before the reservation.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.