Sunset Center

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for a quick get-away from the San Francisco Bay area, the Central Valley and the Central Coast of California. Just minutes away by car, and a world apart, Carmel’s charming village streets have been drawing visitors from around the world for nearly 100 years. Now, come and experience the sophisticated side of Carmel. Enjoy a world-class, live performance at Sunset Center – the cultural heart of Carmel. We have widened our programming to augment our traditional offering of over 50 classical music programs presented each year.

See what’s playing, and plan your stay...

At times, in addition to the performances at Sunset Center, Experience Carmel will contain scheduled performances at selected other venues offered over the upcoming ten days. Monterey County is rich in the performing arts. By clicking on the Cultural Partners button you will learn about the permanent and rotating Exhibits at the Monterey Museum of Art, the Steinbeck Center in Salinas, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the Center for Photographic Art, the unique Tor House and the well-known Carmel Mission. In a number of cases, these exhibits examine the contributions of men and women who have lived in and drawn inspiration from our coastal communities.

For more information about the many activities you can enjoy in Carmel, we suggest you visit the Carmel Chamber of Commerce website.

We can accommodate you...

The fine Resorts, Inns and B&B’s around Carmel welcome the opportunity to make your visit to Carmel last more than just one day. Why not plan a leisurely stroll around town, or down to the beach, before you sit down to an elegant pre-theater dinner within walking distance of Sunset Center. After the show, you can look forward to a peaceful night’s sleep only minutes away from Sunset Center, and awaken to enjoy one of our breakfast restaurants before you partake in more of Carmel’s hospitality – and another whole day of exploring the area. Try our Upscale Shopping for a wonderful local shopping experience.

A long tradition in the arts...

Carmel and the rest of the Monterey Peninsula boast a rich artistic tradition. In 1786, the French artist Gaspard Duche de Vancy arrived in Monterey with an expedition of explorers. In the 1870s colorful "bohemian" artists such as Jules Tavernier and Julian Rix arrived. But the community of painters really took off following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire when Carmel set up housing for the displaced artists moving south. Most stayed, and with that Carmel’s reputation as an artists’ colony was established.

The founding of the Carmel Art Association in 1927 further enriched the scene, and over the years painters such as Mary Deneale Morgan and William Ritschel became part of a thriving arts community. This community boasted the likes of poets George Sterling and Robinson Jeffers, writers Jack London (a frequent visitor) and David Starr Jordan, the gifted do-everything man (artist, sculptor, writer, etc) Jo Mora, and groundbreaking photographers such as Edward Weston and Ansel Adams. That cultural richness continues today.

A unique lifestyle...

History confirms that a number of visitors to Carmel make a decision to come back to live here at a later time in their life. Some first saw Carmel on a vacation, others while young officers at the Naval Postgraduate School, and still others while on a business "off site" at Pebble Beach or on a golf outing. Whatever the inspiration, many elect to return when in their late 40’s, 50’s or 60’s to experience more of our lifestyle.

Today, a little more than 50% of the homes in Pebble Beach and Carmel are owned by part time residents. As their professional demands lessen, many become full time residents of the area. With a little more time on our hands, the golf, the nature walks, the culture, and a ‘world class’ intimate Theater at Sunset Center all provide for an exciting and enriched life style. It is just a great place to meet and experience new people from all walks of life and all sections of the country which adds to the diversity and richness of the Carmel experience.

The Real Estate Professional Community are important Sponsors of this Web site and the Experience Carmel program. They welcome the opportunity to introduce you to this Carmel lifestyle experience.