An always popular destination when family or friends are in town is Carmel. There's loads of shopping, art, food, and great beaches. I normally would have to include golf, but given the scarcity of anyone that can play in the family prevents me from mentioning it. There are a few very cool trees at the top of the hill above the beach. A few of these are great shots.

Carmel has one of the few white sand beaches that I know of on the entire coast. These aren't quite the warm east coast beaches that Ira and Karen are used to, but our kids are totally at home. Nick is having a lot of fun burying Monica, while Gabe and I comb the beach for interesting bits.

We managed to work in quite a bit of shopping. I want to go back to the beach.