Things to Do in Carmel-by-the-Sea in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + December empties Carmel-by-the-Sea. Galleries, tasting rooms, and beaches feel local again. No queues, no filters, just salt air. You'll park once and walk everywhere.
- + Storm-watching peaks now. Pacific swells hit 3-4 m (10-13 ft). Surf pounds Cypress Point like a drum. Stand there. Feel the ocean's heartbeat.
- + Hotels slash rates 30-40 % after October leaf-peepers. Same ocean-view fireplace room, same week, no second mortgage. Book late; still win.
- + Holiday lights twist fairy-tale cottages into stop-motion sets. White twinkle only. City ordinance bans plastic Santas. Cypress branches glow. Nothing screams.
- − Sunset is 4:52 p.m. Zip jackets before happy hour. Walk outside 11 a.m.-3 p.m. That's your golden window.
- − Ocean is 12 °C (54 °F). Dogs splash. Humans shiver. Surfers wear 5 mm full suits. Teeth still chatter.
- − Many tasting rooms lock doors first two December weeks for "inventory." Call ahead or stare at Pinot you can't drink.
Year-Round Climate
How December compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2°C | -6°C | 0.1 inches |
| Feb | 6°C | -4°C | 0.1 inches |
| Mar | 12°C | 1°C | 0.2 inches |
| Apr | 17°C | 6°C | 0.1 inches |
| May | 22°C | 12°C | 0.2 inches |
| Jun | 28°C | 17°C | 0.1 inches |
| Jul | 29°C | 20°C | 0.1 inches |
| Aug | 28°C | 19°C | 0.1 inches |
| Sep | 26°C | 16°C | 0.1 inches |
| Oct | 19°C | 9°C | 0.1 inches |
| Nov | 11°C | 2°C | 0.1 inches |
| Dec | 5°C | -3°C | 0.1 inches |
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Minus tides hit ten December mornings. Neon-orange bat stars and emerald anemones appear below Pebble's 8th hole. Air is 6 °C; tidepools steam. Bring a thermos. Spot octopus before golfers swing.
Basilica choirs rehearse holiday songs at 6 p.m. Adobe walls glow candle-orange. Twenty voices become thunder inside. Outside smells of wet eucalyptus and incense. Free; donations keep 1797 tiles intact.
December storms hurl 6-m (20-ft) spray over Lone Cypress. Sunbreaks backlight mist into silver veils. Chinese tourists leave after 4 p.m. You get solitude and calendar-worthy shots.
Pre-Christmas weekends, small producers pull 2025 Pinot barrel samples. Juice is cloudy. Tannins bite like black tea. Taste in 13 °C (55 °F) caves, then step into rosemary-scented sun. Max crowd: 12. Winemakers talk.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
First Friday, 5-9 p.m. Ocean Avenue closes to cars. Shops pour hot cider; 1925 courtyards host string quartets. Line at cheese shop. Carol by Cypress Inn firepit.
Second Sunday, 6 p.m. Mayor cranks a 60-ft Monterey pine lit with 3,000 white LEDs. Choir sings from tower balcony. Dogs wear glowing collars. Locals pass Irish coffee behind hedges.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Carmel-by-the-Sea Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
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