Once upon a time, in a charming little village nestled on the California coast, there stood a row of enchanting cottages straight out of a storybook. These whimsical abodes with their sloping roofs and colorful facades were like something out of a fairy tale come to life. And lucky for us, they still exist today! Welcome to Carmel-by-the-Sea, where magic and reality coexist in perfect harmony. Join us as we take you on a journey through the most delightful fairy tale cottages this picturesque town has to offer.

Why does Carmel have so many fairy tale cottages?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a picturesque town on the central coast of California that’s known for its beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, and…fairy tale cottages? That’s right – Carmel is home to a number of whimsical cottages straight out of a storybook.

So why does this little town have so many fairy tale cottages? The answer lies in the town’s history. Carmel was founded in the early 1900s by Hugh Comstock, an artist who was inspired by the European villages he had visited on his travels. Comstock wanted to create a similar village in California, and so he set about building a number of charming cottages in Carmel.

These cottages quickly became popular with tourists, who were drawn to their unique style and magical atmosphere. Today, there are over 100 fairy tale cottages in Carmel, and they remain one of the town’s biggest attractions. So next time you’re looking for a fairytale getaway, be sure to add Carmel-by-the-Sea to your list!

No streetlights or restaurant chains

Carmel was originally built to resemble a historic European town full of charm and nature. Because of this, Carmel purposely has no streetlights and restaurant chains.

This gives the town a small-town, old-fashioned feel that is perfect for a romantic getaway or family vacation. As a result, homes and restaurants are unique, with different architecture and décor. Many have been passed down through generations of families who return to Carmel year after year.

Whether you’re looking for a cozy place to stay while exploring the area or a fairytale setting for your wedding day, Carmel’s fairy tale-like setting will not disappoint.

Where to find these fairy tale cottages?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its unique and charming character, and one of the interesting features of the town is that it does not have street addresses in the traditional sense. Instead, the town uses a system of named streets, with properties identified by their location relative to the nearest cross streets.

The reason for this is that the town’s founder, Hugh Comstock, wanted to preserve the village-like character of the town and maintain a sense of privacy for its residents. He felt that traditional street addresses would make the town feel more like a city and detract from its charm.

The lack of street addresses can sometimes make it difficult for visitors to navigate the town, but many residents and businesses have adapted to the system and have developed their own unique ways of identifying locations. Visitors can also use landmarks, such as major intersections, to help them navigate the town.

With that being said, here are some locations of some of the most famous Carmel cottages:

Hansel and Gretel Cottages: Torres Street between 5th and 6th avenues
The Hugh W Comstock Residence (formerly known as Obers): The corner of 6th Avenue and Torres Street
The Storybook Cottage: Santa Fe Street near 5th Ave
Our House: Western side of Santa Fe Street half way between 5th and 6th avenues
W.O. Swain Cottages (five cottage homes  including the Doll’s House, Birthday House, Ocean House, Fables, and Honeymoon Cottage): Western side of Santa Rita Street between 6th and Ocean avenues.

All of these cottages are located in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea and are just steps away from the beach.

Cottage Vacation Stays

Visiting Carmel, CA has its dreamy moments when walking through the twisted oak trees and old stone pathways. The fairy tale cottages have been here for quite some time but one can not help but to imagine living in one.  Recently one of the 21, still existing homes built by Hugh Comstock in 1928, became available to rent on a monthly basis with Shatto Rentals. If you’re interested in staying in one of these charming cottages, check out our Birthday House listing for more information.

Relaxing and unwinding is one of our company motto’s. Shatto Rentals strives to make your vacation in Carmel one of the best you will ever have.