Carmel Art Festival

Gather your travel bag and head to Carmel this weekend for the 16th Annual Carmel Art Festival. Whether you escape just for the day or stay the entire weekend, the short 2 ½ hour drive down from San Francisco will pass quickly and before you know it, you will be in heaven, Carmel style.

The art festival is one of my favorite events of the year. It always takes place the weekend following Mother’s Day. It is a public event welcoming everyone from all over the world. We have been attending for the past 7 years, and we never grow tired of this talent filled weekend. The festival kicks off on Thursday, yet the most important days to attend are Friday and Saturday. In my opinion, this is the heart of the festival, for the artists can be seen painting throughout the peninsula as well as in galleries, and the awards ceremony takes place Saturday evening. The official events are held at Devendorf Park and adjacent Mission Street.     

It is wonderful to see artists working on their plein air paintings, and then later be able to meet them as their works are being displayed, judged and bid upon. Being able to witness a painting from start to finish and hear the artist discuss his/her methods and creative process, adds a sense of intimacy to this art festival. All of the galleries are abuzz with featured artists, painting workshops, or hosting a solo show for their artist of choice. Every one seems to have a lighter kick in their step, and it is either due to the artistic energy or the free flowing wine in every gallery!

Of course, there are many other great Carmel amenities, so we always leave San Francisco by 9 AM and arrive in time for lunch at the incredibly romantic Casanova restaurant. The food always leaves me speechless as I savor every bite, and the extensive wine list will leave a first class sommelier in a quandary of excellent choices. (An insider tip: ask for a tour of the wine cellar. It is extraordinary.) And remember, no lunch is complete without taking time to linger over an espresso.

If you decide to stay for a night or two, then definitely lie your head down at the Cypress Inn. We always choose this Mediterranean style hotel as our home away from home. The outdoor courtyards, live music in the evenings, afternoon tea, a lounge with full bar and gourmet tapas and dishes, attentive staff, and impeccable service guarantee all your needs and wants are met from the moment you check-in and throughout your stay. The rooms are warmly decorated with cozy beds and be sure to request a room with a tub and balcony. Included in the room rate is a breakfast of fresh pastries, yogurt, fruits, juice, tea and coffee – just the jump start needed for another perfect day in Carmel.

Carmel seems to shine even more beautifully during this Art Festival weekend, and I have no doubt it is because the heartbeat of Carmel lies within the artists who find inspiration in this gem-by-the-sea.