"Solid Happy Hours are about as rare as being able to afford a home these days. That makes Shearwater Tavern, a California pub located within the Carmel Mission Inn, such a find. Post up on the patio, ideally near a fire pit, and order as many $5-$9 small plates as your heart desires (we like the toasted baguette with truffle fromage blanc and the chicharrones with chipotle aioli). This is a great place to people-watch, since the crowd ranges from athleisure-clad locals stopping by for an after-hike bite to gussied-up hotel guests grabbing a drink. While dinner is nothing special, breakfast and brunch shine. We’ll never say no to starting a morning with their huevos rancheros with fried shishito peppers, or avocado toast with hot smoked salmon." - allison green, clara hogan