For a century now, residents in Carmel-by-the-Sea have lacked a basic identifier used by most people. The city has no street addresses. Residents instead rely on cardinal directions and landmarks to get around. They also give their houses quaint titles such as “Sea Haven” or “Sandy Pause” to help with identification.
Living incognito has its perks. Fans of the current system say it’s part of the town’s charm. For decades, a vocal group of conservationists has fought to keep the city’s houses and businesses number-free.
But times they are a-changin’. Last month, the city council voted 3-2 to move forward with an address implementation plan. City staff will return in September with further details.
There were three main reasons for the vote. First, the lack of addresses has done a number on deliveries. In the era of Amazon and DoorDash, delivery confusion has become a significant challenge for some.
Public safety was another motivating factor. In case of an emergency, first responders should always be able to find a location with ease. Although locals know their way around pretty well, an emergency requiring outside response could lead to confusion and delay.
Lastly, numbered addresses are required by the state fire code.
“Do we need to wait for someone to die in order to decide that this is the right thing to do?” Asked Councilmember Karen Ferlito, who voted in favor of street addresses. “It is the law.”
Street addresses are expected to make life easier in Carmel-by-the-Sea, but they’ll do so at the expense of tradition. For some residents, the new numbers will represent the end of a bygone era — a loss for winsomeness and simplicity.