Low: Where to eat

Breakfast: Good pastries, the life-affirming aroma of roasting coffee, and a pretty courtyard: The Carmel Coffee House (Ocean near Dolores; 831/626-2095) has it all for under $7 or so.

Lunch: Head out to Carmel Valley and picnic on the sublime panini ($8.95) at Earthbound Farm (7250 Carmel Valley; 831/625-6219). 

Dinner: Tasty tapas—like grilled Monterey sardines—rule the menu at Mundaka (San Carlos at Seventh; 831/624-7400). Dinner for two: $50.