$3,762,985Average Value$1,490Average Price per Sq Ft11Homes For Sale
Artists keep the neighborhood alive
Perched at the northern tip of California's Big Sur coast sits the community of Carmel Highlands. Seclusion and natural beauty are the main draws of this upscale, artsy area. Lush canyons and waves crashing against white rocks serve as the backdrop for this neighborhood, with homes in the area offering incredible views from above the ocean. Many residents enjoy strolls that overlook picturesque hillsides, the sea breeze caressing their faces. Skinny pine trees shoot up to the sky from the canyon floor, mature oaks are draped with old man's beard and homes are decorated with elaborate gardens. In the springtime, Carmel Highlands is flush with wildflowers dotting the sides of the area's roads. A modern-day bohemian lifestyle is available to the residents who can afford to settle in this secluded California alcove.
Modern estates and Mediterranean villas
Modern estates, classic Mediterranean villas and gated mansions are etched into the region's cliffs, providing privacy, seclusion and panoramic ocean views. Regally tucked above the rugged cliffs of Carmel Highland, these sanctuaries come with breathtaking coastal views provided by vaulted glass walls. Living amid nature is one of the main things attracting people to the area, and the community's price tag reflects its allure, with home prices ranging from $1.2 million to $6.3 million.
Modern estates have floor-to-ceiling windows in Carmel Highlands, California
A Carmel Highlands mansion encased by lush greenery.
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Carmel High School is nestled in Carmel Highlands hills.
An award-winning film club at Carmel High School
Children in the area attend Carmel River Elementary School, which has an overall Niche grade of A and has been ranked the third-best public elementary school in Monterey County. Next, kids attend Carmel Middle School, which has an overall Niche grade of A and was ranked the best public middle school in Monterey County. Teenagers attend Carmel High School, which has an overall Niche grade of A and was ranked the best public high school in Monterey County. The school offers many extracurricular activities for students, including a championship robotics competition, several sports teams, numerous art programs and an award-winning film club.
An underwater canyon and hiking trails by the beach
Coastlines stretch along the neighborhood's western edge, with several beaches to explore. Monastery Beach sits at the northern end of Carmel Highlands and is named after the Carmelite Monastery Mission. While the pretty, sandy beach is a great place to lay out and get a tan, it's not a place to swim in the ocean. Due to the cove's shape, there's a severe undertow and rip current that makes the sea incredibly deadly to swim in, giving the beach the unfortunate nickname of "Mortuary Beach" and a reputation as the most dangerous beach in California. That being said, there are ways to enjoy the beach at a safe distance from the waves. At the beach's north end, a trail wraps around the bay to Carmel Meadows Beach and Carmel River State Beach, serving as a scenic hike. Highly experienced scuba divers also enjoy Monastery Beach when the conditions are amenable, and they may come across fantastic rock formations, strands of kelp, a myriad of sea life and a 95-mile-long underwater canyon. Harbor seals, sea lions, kelp rockfish, calico bass, anemones and sunflower stars are just some of the sea life that divers have encountered in the water's depths. For exploration on land, locals head to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Locals take full advantage of living next to the park, exploring its various trails that pass through coves, beaches and forests.
Stay back from the water's edge at Monastery Beach in Carmel Highlands.
Bird Island Trail in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Carmel Highlands is a must-see.
Admire rock formations through the fog at Carmel Highlands Vista Point.
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The Carmel Highlands Services Station is the only business in town.
Retail options at The Crossroads Carmel and Barnyard Shopping Village
Residents of Carmel Highlands have quick access to The Crossroads Carmel and Barnyard Shopping Village for their shopping and dining needs. Here, they can grab groceries or stop by any of the area's eateries. When locals need to fuel up their luxury cars—and their stomachs— they go to Carmel Highlands Services Station, a gas station and market serving espresso drinks, pastries, snacks, and lunch foods.
Spot whales along Cabrillo Highway
Cabrillo Highway, also known as Highway One, runs through Carmel Highlands. The highway is a designated American National Scenic Byway, and driving along the road, commuters may see soaring California Condors, migrating whales and elephant seals along the coast. On a more practical note, access to the highway makes commutes to Carmel-By-The-Sea and other nearby towns quick and simple.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Carmel Highlands
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Carmel Highlands Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Carmel Highlands, Carmel sell after 116 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Carmel Highlands, Carmel over the last 12 months is $2,807,500, down 33% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
"Carmel Riviera" Ocean breezes, waves crashing on warm, sandy beaches, breathtaking sunsets from this prestigious home. Luxurious neighborhood with secret pathways leading to beaches with dramatic views of the panoramic Pacific Ocean coastline. Stunning views of whales and dolphins jumping while sailboats are passing by. Exclusive private community of significant homes within minutes to Carmel by
This extraordinary Carmel Highlands is a rare offering steeped in history, artistry and timeless coastal beauty. Designed to live flexibly, the home can be enjoyed as two or three separate units or one expansive family retreat. Originally built as a 915 sq ft cabin, the home was thoughtfully expanded in 1975 with a striking architectural addition designed by Peter Lee and crafted by master
Offered for the first time in nearly 50 years, this extraordinary ocean view Carmel Highlands estate is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for coastal privacy and luxury convenience. Perched above the pristine Spindrift coast, it boasts sweeping, unobstructed whitewater views of Point Lobos and Yankee Point, and the orientation of the house enables views of the sun dropping into the ocean each
New co-ownership opportunity: Own one-eighth of this professionally managed, turnkey home by Pacaso. With northern views of the Pacific and sunny southern exposure, this architectural residence by Studio Schicketanz features cantilevered living spaces that maximize the vistas and capture natural light. Located minutes from downtown Carmel, the home sits on a half-acre along scenic Highway 1 with
Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a large, updated home on an expansive usable lot in the highly sought-after Yankee Point neighborhood. Designed with unique architectural features, this spacious home offers incredible flexibility, including two versatile lofts perfect for additional bedrooms, office space, or bonus rooms. Enjoy breathtaking ocean views from multiple vantage points, all
Modern elegance framed by coastal serenity. This exquisite four-bedroom, six-bathroom estate is nestled between the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, offering nearly six acres of privacy and sweeping views of the Carmel coastline. Sunlight pours through skylights and vast windows, illuminating a vaulted living room that flows into an elegant dining space. The gourmet kitchen features
Carmel Coastal Retreat Beside Sea Star Ranch - Set along the Pacific with panoramic ocean vistas, this brand-new modern masterpiece designed by Mary Ann Schicketanz, offers an unparalleled lifestyle rooted in nature and refined in design. Adjacent to Sea Star Ranch, an acclaimed equine sanctuary, this home is a sanctuary unto itself. Glass French doors open to and invite in the seascape, while an
Set along one of California's most breathtaking coastlines, this oceanfront residence is a masterful blend of site-sensitive architecture, sustainable design, and sweeping Pacific views. Completely reimagined in 2007 by Tobin Dougherty Architects, the 3-bedroom plus den, 4-bath home draws the ocean into nearly every room through expansive windows and open, light-filled living spaces. Exquisite
Breathtaking views of the coastline stretching from Point Lobos to sunsets across the Pacific Ocean, this private 14-acre estate in Carmel Highlands has long served as a source of inspiration for Grammy-Award winning composer Alan Silvestri, whose work includes iconic scores for Back to the Future, Forrest Gump & The Avengers. The beautifully reimagined Craftsman-style main residence is
A rare ocean-view lot in the Carmel Highlands on coveted Spindrift Road! This 0.36-acre surveyed and staked parcel offers an opportunity to create a coastal retreat on a gently sloped site, suitable for a thoughtfully designed residence with ocean views and sunsets, subject to approvals. Mature and newly planted trees provide privacy and natural screening from Highway 1. Both neighboring homes
Situated in an ancient Cypress forest and perched on the granite coastal cliffs of the Central Coast, Seacliff is a once-in-a-lifetime aggregation of five contiguous lots on famed Spindrift Road in the Carmel Highlands. Stretching over ~5.35 acres with almost 1,000 feet of private oceanfront coastline, this completely unique compound offers a variety of rare and rugged ocean vistas and private
Set between the dramatic Carmel coastline and the Santa Lucia Mountains lies a private retreat in perfect balance with land and sea. Stone steps lead to this five-bedroom, six-bathroom contemporary coastal chalet, where a tiled foyer and vaulted, beamed ceilings create an immediate sense of grandeur. At its heart, a living room with a stone fireplace and soaring ceilings is bathed in light from
Pacific's Edge Sanctuary! 5 bedrooms / 4.5 bathrooms ~ Estate home sleeps 10-12. **This home has a 6 month minimum rental at $15K per month with a $15K Security Deposit. ** **There are also non-refundable cleaning fees.** Magnificent views of the Pacific ocean through a native Pine forest greet you when you arrive at this 16-acre estate perched on a ridge in the Carmel Highlands. The
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