- The list below includes 139 free or cheap things to do in or near Carmel, California, including 75 different types of inexpensive activities like Art Gallery, Beaches, Scenic Drives and Bars.
- From Carmel City Beach / Carmel River Beach to Carmel Beach City Park, there are a variety of budget-friendly attractions in Carmel and in nearby cities within 25 miles like Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas and Big Sur.
Showing 201-210 of
288
30.0 Miles
A nice place for a quick stop, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park has beautiful beaches that aren't too crowded. Hike in to see a small waterfall.
30.0 Miles
Located inside the UCSC campus, the Arboretum is a great place to explore a variety of plants and trees of many different countries. Bird watching is a popular activity here with a good population of hummingbirds and other resident and visiting species.
30.0 Miles
93%
361 votes
1156 High St., Santa Cruz, CA 95064
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The University of California at Santa Cruz is a major research institution with ten component colleges. It is most respected for its programs in medicine, biology, biological engineering and chemistry.
30.5 Miles
100%
4 votes
204
Ewoldsen Trail
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Hwy 1, Big Sur, CA 93920
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Ewoldsen Trail is a looping trail populated by lush redwoods and a running creek. Hikers will experience several switchbacks through redwood groves and will cross a few bridges on their way through the trail.
30.8 Miles
Situated on the Big Sur coast, Limekiln Beach State Park has plenty of waterfalls, beaches, creeks, and rusted lime kilns to explore. Hikers often run into banana slugs near the trail.
31.1 Miles
One of the first self-sustained dairies of its time, Wilder Ranch, now a state park, is a popular venue for many outdoor activities and offers beautiful views of the ocean. It has a spacious picnic area and some of the old buildings with their original furnishings, are still intact.
32.3 Miles
Cowell's Beach is good for surfers and windsurfers. It may not be the cleanest beach in the area.
32.4 Miles
Big Sur Station is an information center which provides helpful tips to the visitors. The rangers are experienced, well-informed and friendly. They take your preferences into account when providing suggestions which are useful when exploring the scenic beauty of Big Sur.
32.4 Miles
Visitors of the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park will be able to go hiking, jogging, and biking. Additionally, the site offers picnic areas, barbeque pits, and access to a trail camp site.
32.7 Miles
Featuring a redwood forest, Mount Madonna County Park is situated on 3,688 acres and offers nature trails for hiking and horse riding, an archery range, picnic areas and an amphitheater. There are also campsites and places for RV camping.