Carmel-by-the-Sea: Lifestyles of the Rich

 

I found Carmel to be similar to the Napa Valley in that every piece of owned land had some humanly-directed purpose.

For example, this footpath must have been deemed not to be doing enough, so had little floral inserts along its length.  In fact, while there were wide – and decorated – footpaths around the shops, there were very few footpaths, sorry, sidewalks, anywhere else.  Most houses had gardens which went directly to the street.  Carmel apparently still has a law that you cannot wear high heels without a permit.  This was enacted to stop people from suing the council for tripping accidents.  

The only person we did see wearing high heels was a stout, richly-dressed elderly lady who was commissioning a sculpture from one of Carmel’s 90+ art galleries.  And she had to employ her toy-boy to transport her down the steps as her heels became entangled in the doormat.

Here are some typical Carmel-by-the-Sea gardens.  Notice how the gardens have absorbed the footpaths/sidewalks and come right to the edge of the street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This house was for sale for $4.9 million.  And it wasn’t even on the sea front.

 

If you sat on this seat, you would be knocked out by these Angel’s Trumpets.

 

Even the Episcopalian Church is obliged to have a garden.

 

A street in Carmel-by-the-Sea.  See how footpaths/sidewalks have been completely absorbed by gardens, so that pedestrians (i.e. us) have to walk on the street.