Welcome to 'Fair Oaks' in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Here is your chance to stay in an authentic, historical, yet updated cottage. Step back in time and come home to a true quintessential Carmel experience.

Filled with whimsy, our 3-bedroom, 2-bath home (with an additional detached guest bedroom and bath) was built in the 1930’s and extensively remodeled several years ago. We made it more comfortable, livable, and a tiny bit more spacious. At times we sacrificed a little convenience and practicality in favor of charm and character. Here, quirky and enchanting often trump logic and perfection. But it is perfect in its own way. Great efforts were made so that when staying at this home, people could experience a little slice of “old Carmel”.

Located just outside the Golden Rectangle, Fair Oaks is 6 blocks from Ocean Avenue and downtown Carmel and 10 short blocks from the beach. You are within walking distance to many restaurants, shops, galleries and local attractions such as the beautiful Carmel Mission and Clint Eastwood's Mission Ranch Restaurant and Inn. The trailhead to the Mission Trails Nature Preserve, with its forested hiking trails alongside a creek, is one block away.

The garden is lush, private, fully fenced and gated. Meandering paths surround the 18 magnificent oaks for which Fair Oaks is named. A lovely Carmel-stone patio is accessible from the living room, dining room and master bedroom. An upstairs private balcony overlooks the garden.

The cozy and comfortable living room has ample seating, built-in cabinets and shelves, an original Carmel-stone gas fireplace and an enormous pitched ceiling with unique antique chandeliers and wall sconces. A charming dining area, with its wall of french doors that lead out to the front garden and stone patio, is adjacent to the living room.

The original cabinets and hutch still exist in the sweet kitchen. New appliances and wood counters have been installed, along with antique Hungarian shelves to store the dishes and glassware. It is beautifully outfitted with Sur la Table and Anthropologie items. A small French folk art table at the window just begs for someone to sit there and enjoy their morning coffee!

A large laundry room with a Miele washer and dryer and cabinets which house extra kitchen supplies is adjacent to the kitchen. A french door leads out to the small back patio, garden and BBQ area.

The terra cotta-colored walls of the master bedroom add to its coziness and charm. A large picture window looks out to the garden and a dutch door opens to the stone patio. It is decorated with antique furniture, lighting and accessories.

Two darling bedrooms and a spacious bathroom are located on the second floor at the top of the curved staircase. The first guest room has a queen bed and 2 balconies. One balcony overlooks the living room and the other balcony overlooks the front garden. The colorful second guest room has two twin beds and a unique charm of its own.

The fourth bedroom and third bathroom is detached from the house. It has a queen bed, a table and chairs and an antique dresser/cabinet. This bedroom suite is nestled alongside the garden paths and is a refuge which provides guests with privacy from the rest the guests residing in the main house.

If you are looking for a vacation home with his-and-her bathroom sinks and a Jacuzzi tub, desire a giant chef's kitchen with a work island, or need state-of-the-art technology throughout, then keep looking….Fair Oaks is not the place for you. However, if you wish to come home to a little slice of paradise each day and appreciate vacationing in a quintessential Carmel cottage loaded with character and charm, then please consider renting this magical and unique home.