Travel experts say Carmel, California, is an ideal fall destination with scenic coastal beauty, warm days, and smaller crowds. There are also lots of cute stays in the area, including Carmel Valley Ranch, La Playa Carmel, and Glen Oaks Big Sur. But a few travel experts want to let you in on a little secret: California is actually a prime fall destination, specifically, the tiny town of Carmel. Laura Lindsay, the global travel trends expert at Skyscanner, also pointed to Carmel-by-the-Sea as her go-to fall favorite, calling it "a storybook seaside town." Krueger recommended checking into the Carmel Valley Ranch, which "combines luxury and laid-back charm.