Questions about Carmel climate (Monterey: move to, swimming, trees)

[paperntea]

Hello. I'm considering a move to Carmel and had a couple questions about its climate:

1.) How dreary is it during the year? It looks like it's pretty sunny during the fall and spring but dreary during the winter and summer, on average. Is that accurate?

2.) Does Carmel have a decent change of seasons (fall foliage, spring blooms, etc) or is it pretty much the same all year?

Thanks for any info. I've visited Carmel multiple times but only during the summer, and it was mostly overcast the times I've been there.

[Ruth4Truth]

I have to ask you the same question I did when you posted about Carmel a couple of weeks ago:

Define "dreary". I've never heard Carmel described as "dreary". What makes it "dreary" for you? Is that a reference to the fog? I have no clue. Most people love Carmel. Overcast? I don't recall that, or not as something that occurred with any frequency. Maybe you just hit it in an off year?

[tstieber]

Originally Posted by paperntea

Hello. I'm considering a move to Carmel and had a couple questions about its climate:

1.) How dreary is it during the year? It looks like it's pretty sunny during the fall and spring but dreary during the winter and summer, on average. Is that accurate?

2.) Does Carmel have a decent change of seasons (fall foliage, spring blooms, etc) or is it pretty much the same all year?

Thanks for any info. I've visited Carmel multiple times but only during the summer, and it was mostly overcast the times I've been there.

Like most of coastal California, Carmel is subject to marine layer and overcast in the summer, although it does tend to clear in the afternoons. It is much sunnier in Carmel Valley though, which is a few miles inland and quite lovely. Winter depends on the rainy season from year to year; in a wet winter, it can be drab and cool, but in a drought winter, it can be sunny and warm, so expect both over the long run.

Any fall foliage will be from non native trees that have been planted and won't be significant enough to be a specific draw to the area, although I'm sure you'd see such trees here and there like anywhere in California.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by tstieber

Like most of coastal California, Carmel is subject to marine layer and overcast in the summer, although it does tend to clear in the afternoons.

People who grew up on the coast or in the Bay Area generally regard the marine layer as a great blessing. It's nature's air conditioning, and makes those regions livable. We get a peek every September of what life without the marine layer is like in the summers; the annual heat wave is something most people raised in a cool environment would prefer to do without. But some people don't mind it; to each his/her own.

[tstieber]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

People who grew up on the coast or in the Bay Area generally regard the marine layer as a great blessing. It's nature's air conditioning, and makes those regions livable. We get a peek every September of what life without the marine layer is like in the summers; the annual heat wave is something most people raised in a cool environment would prefer to do without. But some people don't mind it; to each his/her own.

I appreciate some marine influence but as I get older, but I think without having to suffer through terrible heat, there's a great sweet spot in places like Carmel Valley, which is only a few miles inland, close enough to enjoy the coastal breezes but far enough to replace persistent overcast with afternoon sunshine. That would be my choice on the Monterey peninsula!

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by tstieber

I appreciate some marine influence but as I get older, but I think without having to suffer through terrible heat, there's a great sweet spot in places like Carmel Valley, which is only a few miles inland, close enough to enjoy the coastal breezes but far enough to replace persistent overcast with afternoon sunshine. That would be my choice on the Monterey peninsula!

Yeah, I read your earlier post. I think Carmel Valley's a great idea for the OP.

[Hawk J]

When it was foggy in Carmel, we were in the Carmel Valley , where it was usually warm/hot & sunny

We spent a lot of time swimming/hanging out at Los Laureles Lodge...