POSTCARD FROM... Carmel, California

The Love List founder Jess Graves shares her favorite finds—from the best sunset cocktails to a dog-friendly beach

HELLO FROM…

Carmel, California, the U.S. capital of what I like to call “cashmere and shorts weather.” It’s lavender season right now, so the air carries a lilting fragrance. I’m here staying with my boyfriend’s parents, who have a home in the area.

THE BEST MEAL I HAD…

My favorite spot in downtown Carmel is La Bicyclette, a charming French café tucked away on a hilly corner a few blocks from the beach. Order the escargot! A quick walk away is Aw Shucks, a homey oyster joint with a rare bourbon selection to impress even the most discerning visiting Southerner. For drinks, I love The Bench at Pebble Beach, where the generously-portioned Aperol Spritzes are damn near the size of your head. Don’t fear the chilly weather! Ask for a spot outside – every table has its own fire pit, where you can cozy up with a date and watch the sun set. 

MOST FUN THING I DID…

A cruise down Highway 1 is a must. The drive from Carmel to Big Sur is famously one of the most dramatic coastlines in the world. A game of tennis at Pebble Beach followed by a massage at their celebrated spa was soul food, but nothing made me happier than letting my new puppy, Birdie, loose on Carmel Beach. It’s one of the most dog-friendly beaches I’ve ever been to, and a simple walk down the shoreline provides a display of breed-watching for pet lovers. We took Birdie every day.

THE BOOK I READ (AND WOULD RECOMMEND)...

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, a (sort of) love story about two competitive video game programmers, which follows their disparate friendship from childhood to adulthood.

A THING OR TWO I LEARNED…

The first thing I saw during my last visit was a copy of the Carmel Pine Cone, a local newspaper. The front page was hollering a giddy headline about (notorious architecture dork) Brad Pitt’s purchase of the historic D.L. James house, the county’s most expensive residential real estate purchase to date. Makes sense he’d like it here—Clint Eastwood used to be the mayor. Speaking of architecture, the 1700s-era Carmel Mission is impeccably restored – now a museum worth lingering in if you find yourself confronted with a cloudy afternoon. 

WHAT I PACKED…

The hilly, coastal climate here consistently boasts temps in the low 60s, so my suitcase is always full of lightweight knits, easy-moving bottoms, comfortable shoes, and a great pair of sunglasses. You can read all about it on my Pebble Beach packing list! 

THE BEST THINGS I’M BRINGING HOME…

The wine from Lepe Cellars, a small winemaker with a tasting room/art gallery in downtown Carmel, a tiny pink tennis ball for Birdie from Diggity Dog, the cutest pet store I’ve ever been in, and a floating toy airboat from Thinker Toys for my two-year-old nephew. I may have also pocketed a few of the beach’s namesake pebbles. Don’t tell.

Jess Graves is the founder of Graves Creative, a creative studio in Atlanta. You can find her shopping newsletter, The Love List, on Substack

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