Ocean Avenue (Carmel-by-the-Sea)

Ocean Avenue is a one-mile street located in and around the city of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. The corridor was developed as part of a 1902 subdivision which formed the basis for the modern Carmel town plot. The routing of Ocean Avenue begins at California State Route 1 and extends west through downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea to Carmel Sunset Beach.

Part 1; the history of Ocean Avenue

Prior to European contact Carmel Valley was home to numerous local tribes. The area was first explored by Europeans during a 1542 Spanish expedition led Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. The Cabrillo expedition sailed along the coastline north through Big Sur, Carmel Valley and Monterey Peninsula, but made no attempt to land.

In 1602 Sebastián Vizcaíno discovered Carmel Valley at the behest of Spain and named the river running through it Rio Carmel. The name is thought to be an honorific reference to three Carmelite friar which were part of the expedition. The Spanish would not attempt to colonize the area until 1770 when the Catholic Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo was established.

Following the Mexican-American War the lands around Carmel Bay became part of the American state of California. Numerous settlers would buy up plots of land on Carmel Bay and Carmel Valley from the 1850s through the 1880s. During 1889 Monterey property developer Santiago J. Duckworth filed a subdivision map with Monterey County. The subdivision plot was simply known as "Carmel" and the area would even receive erratic on/off Postal Service.

During 1902, James Franklin Devendorf and Frank Hubbard Powers, would submit another subdivision map with Monterey County which established much of the modern town plot of Carmel. The plot included what is now "Ocean Avenue" which served the central business district. The community would incorporate as the city of "Carmel-by-the-Sea" on October 31, 1916. The name "Carmel-by-the-Sea" was a reference to the early publicity campaign to spur interest in the area.

Ocean Avenue appears in detail on the 1938 Thomas Brothers Map of Carmel-By-The-Sea.

Part 2; a drive on Ocean Avenue

Westbound Ocean Avenue begins from California State Route 1.

Ocean Avenue begins as a two-lane street and descends into downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. The street expands to four lanes at Junipero Street.

Ocean Avenue passes through downtown and narrows to two lanes again at Monte Verde Street.

Ocean Avenue descends west of downtown and terminates at the parking lot of Carmel Sunset Beach.

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