WINE, WINE, VINEGAR, AND OIL and other Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA Shopping Tips

Name of Shop: THE BOUNTIFUL BASKET

If you visited Carmel before then you might have found The Bountiful Basket at the Barnyard Shopping Complex, but the times they are a changin' and now they have moved to the center of Carmel-by-the-Sea being located on San Carlos SW of Ocean Ave.
The Bountiful Basket is a delightful stroll through the wines of the region all in one location. Sharon Cuneo, the owner, is most likely going to be in to help you with your purchases or to share the qualities of a wine.

Wine tasting is available and many times a owner of a vineyard is present to discuss and sample the winery's wares. I was fortunate enough to have been here on the day that Pianetta Winery in San Miguel, near Paso Robles, California, was uncorking some fine wines. How can you resist buying when you see the passion of the vine on the person's face. On select Saturdays, "meet the winemaker" series is held from 2-6pm at The Bountiful Basket.

What To Buy: Wine from the region, and also a stop at the tasting table. Gourmet foods and gift baskets are the specialty. The newest entry from this very talented owner is home made vinegars. The bottles themselves are worthy of keeping out on the table and there is a sampling table for both the vinegars and olive oils that are available for purchase.


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Theme: Food and Drink
Phone: 831 625-4457
Address: San Carlos SW of Ocean Ave. POB 221142 Carmel, CA
Directions: Center of Carmel-by-the-Sea shopping area, on San Carlos SW.
Website: www.bountifulbasketcarmel.com
Other Contact: 800 930-0077

Name of Shop: MATERIAL GOODS

The shops in Carmel-by-the-Sea are all gingerbread styles and Victorian fantasy. That's what makes shopping up and down Ocean Ave so much more enjoyable, especially for the non-shopper like me. My wife, Sue, could shop till she dropped (which she has done) and the ambiance on the streets of Carmel invigorate her to a shopping frenzy pitch.%

So, wham, we are browsing windows on Ocean Ave when I, yes, I saw these ceramic Guinea Hens sitting on the wall shelf. The store, Material Goods, was a shoppers delight in accessories for the home. When I like to go into a store, it must look pretty inviting and have something that catches my eye. No browser, but a determined to find what I may want type of person. I browsed like there was no tomorrow. Material goods had me checking out half the stores inventory. No magic potion, no pressure from my wife, just that there were a lot of interesting things to brighten up the home without being overdone. Oh, they had the ladies purses and scarves, which, I must admit, were modern art works. What a neat little boutique in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Be careful if you walk down and around on Ocean Ave, you just may spot something inside Material Goods, like I did.

What To Buy: The Caillard Guinea Hens are a treasure find and they come from the Provence area of France. I also spotted a flock of metal sparrows on another shelf that I felt were whimsical and had to have them as well.

What To Pay: The ceramic Guinea Hens were expensive at $129 to $159, depending on size. The cute metal sparrows were a steal at $5 each.

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Theme: Gifts
Phone: 831.624.0714
Address: Ocean Avenue at Monte Verde
Directions: Center of Town, south side of Ocean Ave, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Website: http://www.materialgoods.com/index.htm

Name of Shop: PIERRE DEUX French Country

Walking down the main street, Ocean Ave, at the Pine Inn Carmel sits a little bit of France. The Pierre Deux has imported many items from all the regions of France and has a display that invites you to look, touch, and buy.

What To Buy: Linens, kitchen supplies, foods, and furniture seem to be the sought after items. I personally prefer the jams of France to purchase.


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Theme: Home Furnishing
Phone: 831 624-8185
Address: Ocean Ave at the Pine Inn Carmel
Directions: Center of Carmel-by-the-Sea shopping district.
Website: http://www.pierredeux.com/

Name of Shop: CARMEL BAY COMPANY

Carmel Bay Company invites you in with shelves filled with the beauty of Carmel in crafts, books, and art pieces. They also have bath and beauty supplies and general tourist style gifts on a classy level.

What To Buy: That special book on Carmel or a small token of the area.


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Theme: Local Craft
Phone: 831 624-3868
Address: Ocean Ave & Lincoln St.
Directions: Corner shop in downtown shopping area of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Website: www.carmelbaycompany.com

Name of Shop: The Humidor

OK. I know many of you will not like this tip, but for a reminder of the past and for those brave souls that dare the slings and arrows of others, read on. This is a full line tobacco shop with many brands and sizes of cigars.

David is the man behind the counter to assist you in finding the cigar of your choice. Great choices in accessories as well, lighters, cutters, and humidors. In my opinion, cigar smoking is not a habit nor bad for your health. It is a form of relaxing in a refined gentlemanly way. There is a bond amongst cigar smokers, a comaraderie, and that's not blowing smoke in your eyes.


What To Pay: Most quality cigars range in price from $6.00 to $10.00 depending on size and shape.

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Theme: Other
Address: 120 Crossroads Blvd. Carmel,CA
Directions: Down Hwy 1 and turn left at Rio Road, and then right into shopping center. Located in the middle of the Crossroads shopping village complex
Website: www.humidorcarmel.com

Name of Shop: Bahama Billy's Art & Gift Gallery

CLOSED DOWN BUT THE MEMORY IS WORTH SAVING. OK. You are in Carmel with the beauty of the ocean and pines putting your mind into relax mode, then shopping hits the brain waves. Want to feel like you got away to the Tropics? Then head on over to the Barnyard Shopping Complex. Not only are the grounds filled with plants and flowers blooming at every turn, the shops are worth looking into and purchasing that find of the year. One shop in particular has you believing that you have been transported to the tropics. Bahama Billy's is a great tropical restaurant in the Barnyard and across the path sits the Bahama Billy's Art & Gift Gallery. Pure paradise shopping. Everything from a pair of chopsticks to a beautiful piece of tropical art by the renowned artist, Steven Barton. If you are looking for a tropical fun gift or an exquisite work of art, then head to Bahama Billy's Art & Gift Gallery.

What To Buy: Anything tropical is here. They even had the tropical drink, Mojito, bottled blend of mint and sugar water, which I could not pass up. My find of the day was a Rhythm Jam miniature 5 piece band that has individual members playing in time to the music, which includes 20 all-time hits. I could not take my eyes off of them. They had me with the first beat. Colorful plates and dishware abound throughout the gallery. Fun to just explore or purchase your find of the day.


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Theme: Art
Directions: Inside the Barnyard Complex, across from Bahama Billy's Island Steakhouse. NOW CLOSED.