With a name like Carmel-by-the-Sea, you’d expect to find gorgeous beaches in this small city on Monterey Peninsula. You will not be disappointed. The crystalline sand at Camel Beach is an ideal place for a sunset stroll as the Pacific Ocean’s waves roll beneath your feet. But when you are planning your trip, be aware that the summer months are not the best: most days are overcast and foggy. The ideal month is in September when it is still warm and usually sunny.