Sometimes people ask me why I live in such a small town. I often tell them that I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, and the slow tempo of Carmel. Or that I really like the fact that when I walk the streets of Carmel going to our from the Carmel Realty office to the Post Office, I know a lot of the people I see. And, most of the time, Carmel is a small coastal town; however, there are a few times of the year that this little town turns into one of the busiest places on earth. (or least it feels like that!)
Awhile back we had the wonderful experience of Pebble Beach hosting the US open. And we just finished enjoying the Pebble Beach Concourse De’ Elegance. One of the worlds’ premier annual car shows. Not only did people come-in droves- but many brought their fancy new (or very old) cars for the rest of us to admire. Quite an experience when there are a dozen Ferrari masterpieces parked in front of the local Italian restaurants.
My boys love cars so there is no better way to spend a Sunday than walking around the 18th hole on the Pebble Beach golf course, looking at and reading about beautiful old cars. Not only did they have cars, but they had motorcycles and bicycles and even a few campers too.
Not only did we have the car show in town, but in the same week Carmel Realty opened a new office on Ocean Avenue. I say “new” in that we haven’t had an office on Ocean Avenue in quite a while, having been at our Dolores location for dozens of years. We opened in the same building where we had offices in the 1920s. We opened during the chaos of the car show to a great reception from locals and visitors alike. The office is set up as a gallery of fine homes rather than a traditional real estate office with a line of agent desks. It is a great place to drop in and learn about the market, what is happening in town, and get a few restaurant recommendations as well.
So maybe after Labor Day, this little town will feel like a little town again, but for now we still have the small town feeling….with a a bit of “big town” energy as well.
