From Crespi Cottage one hears the pounding surf, especially at night. 

The Mission Trail winds a mile through the forest behind the cottage down to Carmel Mission. 

Meandering the other way finds Cotswold cottages, brick and stone, with flowered gardens. 

A short stroll leads to the village's bakeries, shops, art galleries and restaurants.

Several blocks further sits a bench above the white sands of Carmel Beach.

The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea per a unique 1929 city ordinance, must by law preserve its trees, its natural landscape, its artistic heritage and restrict and limit "business and commerce."

In 1933, frequent visitor and author Sinclair Lewis said "For God's sakes, don't let the Babbitts ruin the town.  You've got every other city in the country beat."