Carmel in January

January weather, activities, events & insider tips

January Weather in Carmel

35°C (96°F) High Temp

21°C (69°F) Low Temp

2.5 mm (0.1 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is January Right for You?

Advantages

Peak whale watching season - gray whales migrate past Carmel Bay from December through April, with January offering the best viewing conditions and clearest water visibility at 12-15 m (40-50 ft)
Dramatic winter storm watching at Point Lobos - January brings powerful Pacific swells up to 6 m (20 ft) that create spectacular coastal displays without the summer fog that blocks views 40% of the time
Lowest accommodation rates of the year - hotel prices drop 30-40% compared to summer peak, with luxury oceanfront properties averaging $300-450/night versus $600-800 in July
Carmel Bach Festival planning season - ticket releases and early bird pricing for the July festival begin in January, plus intimate winter chamber concerts at Sunset Cultural Center with audiences of just 100-200 people

Considerations

Unpredictable weather requiring layered clothing - temperatures can swing 14°C (25°F) between morning fog at 10°C (50°F) and afternoon sun reaching 24°C (75°F)
Limited beach activities due to water temperature of 12°C (54°F) and frequent 20-30 mph wind gusts that make the sand uncomfortable for lounging
Shorter daylight hours with sunset at 5:30 PM limiting golden hour photography and evening coastal walks compared to 8 PM summer sunsets

Best Activities in January

Point Lobos Tide Pool Exploration

January's extreme low tides (down to -0.6 m/-2 ft) expose tide pools normally underwater, revealing sea anemones, hermit crabs, and sea stars. Morning visits at 7-9 AM offer the calmest conditions before afternoon winds pick up. Winter storms refresh the pools with new marine life, making this the most biodiverse viewing season.

Booking Tip: No reservations needed for tide pool access, but parking fills by 9 AM on weekends. Check tide charts and arrive 1 hour before lowest tide. Entry costs $10 per vehicle. Best accessed through China Rock or Bird Rock trails.

Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tours

January is harvest bottling season when winemakers release their previous year's vintages. Tasting rooms are uncrowded with intimate experiences and winemaker meet-and-greets impossible during busy summer months. Cool morning temperatures of 10°C (50°F) are perfect for touring multiple wineries without heat fatigue.

Booking Tip: Book wine tours 3-5 days ahead for weekends. Prices typically range $150-250 per person for full-day tours including 4-5 wineries and lunch. Many offer winter specials with 20% discounts. Check current tour options in booking section below.

Monterey Bay Whale Watching Expeditions

Gray whale migration peaks in January with 95% success rates for sightings. Calmer morning seas before 11 AM provide the smoothest rides, crucial for the 3-4 hour excursions. January also offers occasional orca and blue whale sightings as deep canyon upwelling brings abundant krill to the surface.

Booking Tip: Book whale watching tours 7-10 days ahead as January is peak season. Morning departures (9 AM) have highest success rates and calmest seas. Tours typically cost $65-95 per adult. Choose operators with hydrophones for whale sound experiences.

Carmel Mission Basilica Cultural Tours

January's mild 18°C (65°F) afternoons are perfect for exploring the 1771 mission grounds without summer's oppressive heat. Winter light creates dramatic photography opportunities in the stone courtyard, and smaller crowds allow peaceful contemplation in the chapel where Father Serra is buried.

Booking Tip: Self-guided tours cost $9 for adults, $7 for seniors. Docent-led tours available Saturdays at 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM - arrive 15 minutes early as groups are limited to 15 people. No advance booking required but weekend afternoons can get crowded.

Big Sur Coastal Hiking Adventures

January offers the clearest views of the year with crisp air and minimal marine layer. McWay Falls flows at maximum volume from winter rains, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park trails are uncrowded. Cool temperatures make the steep coastal climbs comfortable, though trails can be muddy after the 10 rainy days typical in January.

Booking Tip: Check Caltrans road conditions before heading south - Highway 1 closures from winter storms affect 15% of January days. Guided hiking tours cost $120-180 per person for full-day excursions. Waterproof hiking boots essential for muddy trail conditions.

Pebble Beach Golf and Scenic Drives

January brings the year's most dramatic ocean views with crystal-clear air and powerful wave action against the famous 18th hole rocks. Golf rates drop to $350-450 (versus $600+ in summer) and courses are less crowded. The scenic 17-mile drive offers incredible storm watching opportunities.

Booking Tip: Book Pebble Beach golf 30 days in advance for best tee times. 17-Mile Drive costs $10.75 per vehicle, valid all day for multiple stops. Morning rounds before 10 AM avoid strongest afternoon winds that can gust to 25 mph.

January Events & Festivals

Late January

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Practice Rounds

Professional golfers arrive in late January for practice rounds before the famous tournament. Free viewing opportunities at Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club as pros prepare for the February competition. Less crowded than tournament week with better access to players.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof hiking boots - trails stay muddy 2-3 days after January's 10 rainy days, especially in Point Lobos and Big Sur coastal paths

Layered clothing system - morning fog at 10°C (50°F) to afternoon sun at 24°C (75°F) requires easy-to-remove layers like merino wool base layers and zip-off fleece

SPF 50+ reef-safe sunscreen - UV index reaches 8 even in winter, intensified by ocean reflection during whale watching and coastal hiking

Waterproof rain jacket with hood - January showers are brief but intense, often lasting 15-20 minutes with little warning

Binoculars (8x42 minimum) - essential for whale watching success and bird spotting at Point Lobos, where marine life can be spotted 200-500 m (650-1,640 ft) offshore

Warm hat and gloves for early morning - beach walks and sunrise photography start in temperatures as low as 7°C (45°F) with wind chill

Grip-soled shoes with ankle support - wet coastal rocks and tide pool areas become extremely slippery after rain or high tide spray

Waterproof camera protection - ocean spray carries up to 30 m (100 ft) inland during winter storms, threatening electronics at viewpoints

Portable phone charger - cold weather drains batteries 30% faster, critical for GPS navigation on winding Big Sur roads

Cash for parking meters - many Carmel lots don't accept cards, and January's $2-4 hourly rates require quarters for downtown exploration

Insider Knowledge

Visit Carmel Beach at 7 AM for unleashed dog hours - local law allows dogs off-leash before 10 AM, creating a magical scene as 50-100 dogs run free on the white sand while owners gather for informal coffee groups

Park at Sunset Cultural Center ($5/day) and walk 400 m (0.25 miles) to avoid downtown's $25/day parking fees - locals use this lot exclusively and it connects via tree-lined residential streets to Ocean Avenue

Shop at Carmel Valley Village Thursday farmers market (9 AM-1 PM) for local Earthbound Farms organic produce at 40% less than Carmel grocery stores, plus meet actual farmers who supply high-end restaurants

Book dinner reservations 2-3 weeks ahead even in January - Carmel's 30+ restaurants in a 1-square-mile area create artificial scarcity, and locals dine out frequently due to limited grocery options

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating driving times to Big Sur - winter road conditions and tourist stops make the 48 km (30 mile) drive to McWay Falls take 90+ minutes each way, not the 45 minutes GPS suggests

Wearing cotton clothing - 70% humidity makes cotton uncomfortable and slow-drying when wet from fog or rain, causing chafing during long coastal walks

Planning beach picnics without wind protection - 20-30 mph afternoon gusts make eating outdoors miserable without windbreaks or sheltered spots like Carmel River Lagoon