Carmel-by-the-Sea: What's New For Summer

As it celebrates its Centennial this year, Carmel is adding to its historic charms with some fresh, new offerings.

Two “new” inns opened in April, providing visitors with additional lodging options in this one-square-mile village, and both are taking back their original names:

• Dolphin Inn has been dramatically renovated, renamed, and reopened after being acquired by Classic Hotels & Resorts, which also owns La Playa Carmel. The property, now again known as Hotel Carmel (San Carlos and Fourth), features all newly refurbished guest rooms and an inviting garden courtyard. Hotel Carmel also is home to the “new” Brophy's Tavern, a popular Carmel gastropub, which was recently remodeled. For more information about Hotel Carmel, visit www.thehotelcarmel.com or call 855.622.7635.

• The Hideaway, (Junipero and Eighth), most recently named The Cobblestone Inn, was purchased earlier this year by The PlumpJack Group and Meriweather Companies. It has undergone a series of updates and renovations to preserve the property's inherent charm, while adding modern comforts and amenities. For more information, visit www.hideawaycarmel.com, or call 831.625.5222.

Carmel-by-the-Sea's world-class dining scene continues to evolve as well:

• Authentic "Italian Comfort Food" from Napoli, Italy is the centerpiece of Il Tegamino (tucked in a courtyard just off Ocean Avenue between Lincoln and Monte Verde). This new eatery has wasted little time becoming a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. Named one of Monterey County's Top 10 new restaurants by Monterey County Weekly, Il Tegamino is run by Neapolitan brothers Giuseppe and Salvatore Panzuto. The restaurant is a tribute to their Mamma Rita and the recipes the brothers were raised on in Southern Italy. The restaurant is open 5 to 9 p.m. six days a week (closed Wednesday). For more information, visit www.iltegamino.com or call 831.250.5790.

• Bashar Sneeh and Faisal Nimri – owners of the wildly popular Dametra Café – have taken over two existing downtown Carmel restaurants, PortaBella and Mediterranean (formerly Merlot Bistro). Each eatery is located on Ocean Avenue between Lincoln and Monte Verde, just a half-block from Dametra Café. Each restaurant has a new look and menu. For more information about PortaBella, visit www.portabellacarmel.com or call 831.624.4395. For more information on Mediterranean, call 831.624.5659.

In other “new” news, Carmel Food Tours has added a “Gimme-a-Breakfast-Tour” with six tasting stops to get one's day started in style with local food and coffee favorites. Carmel Food Tours offers guided culinary tours in the village, and affords guests the opportunity to enjoy “off-the-beaten-path” food and cultural experiences. The breakfast tour runs 8:30 to 11 a.m. on Friday and Saturday only, costs $69 per person, and consists of less than one mile of walking. Additional information about their other tours is available at www.carmelfoodtour.com or call 800.656.0713.

Beyond many of the new offerings in town, this is a particularly special year to visit Carmel-by-the-Sea with the town's ongoing celebration of its Centennial. And it's never been easier to get to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is just a 10-minute drive away and served by direct flights to and from San Francisco (SFO, United Express), Los Angeles (LAX, American Eagle/United Express), Las Vegas (LAS, Allegiant Air), Phoenix (PHX, U.S. Airways), and San Diego (SAN, Alaska Airlines). Alaska Airlines recently began daily non-stop service to and from Los Angeles (LAX). San Jose International Airport (SJC) is 75 miles north.

For more information, visit CarmelCalifornia.com.