Parking in town ?

Question

We have a large SUV and plan to spend an entire day in town . Where can we pay to park for 8 hours or so ? That’s close to shopping?

Answer

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small, walkable town, but parking can be a challenge, especially with a large SUV. There are several paid options that allow you to spend a full day exploring the shops, galleries, and restaurants without constantly moving your vehicle.

Here are some recommended parking options:

Mission Street Garage: Located near downtown Carmel, this public garage has spaces for larger vehicles and is within easy walking distance to the main shopping streets. Rates are usually hourly, but they often allow for an all-day maximum.
Ocean Avenue Street Parking (Paid Meters): There are several metered spots along Ocean Avenue and nearby streets. Check the meter times and rates; many allow parking for several hours, and some allow all-day parking if you feed the meter appropriately.
Carmel City Parking Lots: The city operates several small public lots scattered around downtown. Some, like the lot near the Carmel Plaza, are convenient for shopping and dining, and most have daily maximum rates that make an 8-hour stay feasible.

Additional tips for parking in Carmel:

Arrive early in the day, especially on weekends or during tourist season, to secure a good spot.
Consider using a large lot like the one near Carmel Plaza if you have an SUV; it provides more maneuvering space compared to street parking.
Check signage carefully—some lots and meters have time limits or restrictions, especially near residential areas.
Bring coins or a credit card for meter payment, as some meters are not app-compatible.

With these options, you should be able to park your large SUV for the day and enjoy walking around Carmel without worrying about constantly moving your vehicle.