$950,000 Homes in California
Carmel Valley | $949,000
This two-bedroom, one-bathroom house is in the hills of Carmel Valley. The center of town, lined with wine-tasting rooms, casual restaurants, bookstores and art galleries, is 10 minutes away by car, while Carmel-by-the-Sea and the beaches along Carmel Bay are a 30-minute drive. The golf courses of Pebble Beach and the Monterey Bay Aquarium both take about 40 minutes by car.
Big Sur is about an hour south. Heading north, Santa Cruz is 90 minutes away and San Jose takes less than two hours.
Size: 800 square feet
Price per square foot: $1,186
Indoors: From the driveway, a gate in a picket fence opens to this home's front yard, with the door at the back of a wide deck.
Inside is a combined laundry room and office, with a side-by-side washer and dryer and space for a desk. Through this area is the kitchen, where the countertops are butcher block and the cabinets are painted blue. There are colorful tile backsplashes and a window above the farmhouse sink.
On the other side of the kitchen is the main living area, anchored by a fireplace with a stone surround and a wood mantel. Arched windows on either side of the fireplace overlook the front yard, and a dining nook is tucked into a corner of the room.
The lofted primary bedroom is at the top of a staircase beginning in the living room. A windowed alcove has space for a queen-size bed, with room for a dresser or a chair at the other side of the room. The full bathroom, with a combined tub and shower, is at the bottom of the stairs.
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However, I found two flaws that kept it from the top spot this time around: When in full recline, the middle metal bar between the seat and the back rest juts out and digs into your back, while the angled seat edge lifts your legs higher than your torso, making the flat-back position awkward and slightly vertigo-inducing. The Tommy Bahama Ultimate Beach Chair, however, fixed the latter issue and minimized the effects of the former, vastly improving the Deluxe's design and, ultimately, its comfort. And that's just one feature on the long list of reasons why it took the coveted top spot, despite being about $50 pricier than the Deluxe. First off, I love its comfortable armrests, which are low enough for petite users like me. I also appreciated its lumbar and head pillows, especially since it's the lumbar pillow that alleviates the middle metal bar issue. With a seat height of 17 inches and a seat width of 22 inches, it's also spacious and effortless to get in and out of, even if you have limited mobility. And of course, there's its canopy, which is highly adjustable and can be lowered down to cover your face, which comes in handy when you want added sun protection. The pillows and canopy aren't the only features here. Attached to the chair are a side pouch with a wide and deep insulated drink holder, a built-in bottle opener and cell phone holder, a zippered side pocket, a big zippered back pocket and a big insulated back pocket. Included with the chair is a collapsible table that's equally easy to assemble and sturdy enough to hold a drink without the threat of spills. This is a unique yet thoughtful addition. Stability is also a nonissue. It did sink into the sand a little as soon as I sat down (and it'll likely sink deeper if you max out its load capacity of 300 pounds), but it didn't move or sway at all, even when I purposely fidgeted in my seat. It's effortless to clean too. You can either clean it gently with mild soap and water or simply hose it down if you're feeling lazy. Like the Deluxe, it has five easy-to-change reclining positions and a one-step folding and unfolding process, which makes it easy to handle despite its size. Unlike the Deluxe, however, it's missing a pair of backpack straps, as Tommy Bahama bizarrely opted to give it a single padded carry strap instead. As a result, it's harder to carry across the beach. That's the only disadvantage here — unless you're on the tall side or you have a beach wagon, you may struggle lugging it around. Lack of portability aside, you're getting a lot for your money with the Tommy Bahama Ultimate Beach Chair, with its plethora of extras and sun protection only adding even more value to an already great beach chair. At $70, the Homevative Folding Backpack Beach Chair is not what many would call cheap. However, it is the second-cheapest beach chair in my product pool and perhaps the best value; it has many of the same features you'll find in its much pricier counterparts. That includes a drink holder big enough to fit a 16-ounce Owala bottle, a bottle opener, five recline positions, an insulated cooler pouch, a netted rear pouch and a pouch for valuables. The third leg, mainly used for the flat-back position, even moonlights as a towel holder. It also rivals the Tommy Bahama Ultimate Beach Chair in maintenance, load capacity and stability. Like my top pick, you can sponge-clean it with mild soap and water or simply hose it down. And just like my top pick, it's incredibly stable on the sand, even when its user is moving a lot. It also has a load capacity of 240 pounds, which is 60 pounds lower than the Tommy Bahama. I'll admit that it does edge out the Tommy Bahama Ultimate in portability. Despite its 8-pound weight, it has backpack straps for easy transport. Carrying this on my back while walking across the beach was effortless, even with other beach gear in tow. I also found the Homevative Folding Backpack Beach Chair easy to fold and unfold, and it's decently comfortable with its spacious 19-inch seat, supportive backrest, 12-inch seat height and squishy, albeit small, head pillow. This price point comes with compromises, though, and the Homevative Folding Backpack Beach Chair has a few of them. Its armrests are made of cheap-feeling plastic; the seat squeaks at your smallest movement; and switching from one recline position to another is also tricky, as you have to put a bit more force into it and ensure the whole thing is secure before leaning back or lying down. Finally, it suffers from the same middle-bar curse as the Tommy Bahama Ultimate when fully reclined, though you can use a folded towel to reduce the pressure on your back. None of those are deal breakers, however, especially since the beach chair does make up for them in extra features. Neither the $40 KingCamp Low-Sling Beach Chair nor the $75 Kelty Lowdown Chair comes close. At $70, the Homevative Folding Backpack Beach Chair is still the best budget beach chair for your money. A post shared by CNN Underscored (@cnnunderscored) Purchasing a beach chair shouldn't just be about finding the cheapest or most attractive on the shelves. While there are many good beach chairs at different price points, the one that prioritizes comfort, build quality, features and portability while keeping the price accessible for most people is the best choice. To help you make the right choice, I gathered 15 of the highest-rated beach chairs on the market, then put each one through its paces, spending many hours at beaches and parks (and even my living room, 'Friends'-style) to see if each chair not just delivers as promised but also gives you the best value for your money. During testing, I evaluated each chair based on the following criteria. Performance Comfort: Whether a beach chair delivers in comfort is the ultimate test of its worthiness. I'm not just talking about the fabric that the seat and backrest are made of and whether the seat offers enough space for bigger-framed users. Comfort also encompasses accessibility for those with limited mobility, recline adjustments for ultimate relaxation and more. To determine each beach chair's comfort level, I spent two or more hours sitting in it, both at the beach and at the park behind my apartment. I also sat in each chair for at least 30 minutes at home while watching TV. Stability and durability: A beach chair's ability to stay longer above sand, as well as stay put, is not to be underestimated. After all, one of the reasons why people choose a beach chair over just a beach towel is to minimize sand contact, and a beach chair that sinks drastically or topples over easily defeats its purpose to a degree. Similarly, a beach chair should also be designed to withstand the elements, especially all that sun, moisture and salty air. Design Ease of use: What's more annoying on your beach day than starting it off with helplessly trying to figure out how to assemble your beach gear? After all, you came to the beach to relax, not start a project. So, I wanted to ensure the beach chairs I recommend are easy to assemble out of the box and intuitive to unfold and set up, uncomplicated to pack and effortless to adjust if they recline. Portability: I've spent enough time on the beach to know that sand is even harder to walk on when you're weighed down by beach gear. Because of that, a beach chair's portability — including its weight, size when folded and any carrying features — must be considered. Note that while backpack straps are the easiest way to carry a beach chair across sand, other factors should be considered as well when judging a chair's portability. Storage: Trust me, storage on a beach chair is important. Sand gets everywhere, and it's a pain to clean. You wouldn't want it all over your can of cold beverage, bottle of sunscreen or phone. So, a drink holder on a beach chair (at the very least) is vital. A pocket in which to secure your valuables is nice as well. Value Extras: Useful extra features, such as a built-in cooler (or insulated pocket), a sun canopy and a pillow, add value to a beach chair, as they can elevate the experience. Beach chairs that offer these get bonus points during testing, especially if those features are well executed and effortless to use. Price point: After my tests, I noted each beach chair's cost per use value based on all the criteria above and that of its direct rivals. You don't want to spend a lot of money unnecessarily, but spending a little more if you're getting a model that gives you a whole lot of bang for your buck is still a good idea. Comfort is more important than any test results and scores I get during testing. So, while I recommend checking out my winners first, neither of them might be right for your needs, preferences and body frame, in which case you should take a look at my non-winners below as well. Take your mobility level into account Many beach chairs sit notoriously low to the ground, which shouldn't be a problem if you don't have mobility issues. But if you struggle with getting in and out of the couch or up the stairs, I would get a model that sits higher — 12 or even 14 inches off the ground — as that will help a lot. Everything sinks in the sand, including you and your chair, so having a higher seat will give you a leg up, so to speak. How far do you need to travel with it? Many US-based airlines welcome beach chairs as a checked or carry-on item, as long as they meet the size and weight requirements. However, if you plan on regularly traveling with yours — even if that just means you have to hike a mile or so on sand to get to your spot or take it on road trips — I would seriously consider getting a more compact one (without sacrificing comfort, of course). Just know you might be making compromises, especially in storage and extra features. Don't scrimp I get it — cheaper is kinder on the wallet. But getting a beach chair that's under $50 is a bit of a gamble, and it's not likely to last you that long either. Unless you really can't afford it, I recommend spending a little more. I tested a few beach chairs under $100 that are solid options. Helinox Beach Chair The most portable beach chair I've ever used, this Helinox chair is robust, very comfortable and easy to take apart for stowing. It's on the pricey side, but it's not too high a price for portability and convenience. Portability might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you're purchasing a beach chair, but when your go-to beach is a trek to get to or you want to travel with your chair in tow, it should be your priority, which essentially eliminates my top two picks. Although the Homevative's backpack straps do make it easier to carry, the Helinox Beach Chair is in an entirely different league in terms of portability. The brand adopted its camping chair's innovative collapsible design into its beach chair, which allowed it to be very compact. How compact exactly? I have work bags that are almost triple their size and twice as heavy. That's even more impressive when you think about the fact that most beach chairs on the market are unapologetically bulky. Considering how packable this thing is, it's surprisingly robust, with a 320-pound max load, and it's quite comfortable with its hammock-esque feel, supportive backrest and mesh windows. Plus, it's easy to put together and assemble, though you may need to practice to get used to the process. It didn't nab a top spot in this guide due to its snug fit, low-to-the-ground seating and very minimal features. At $170, you'd expect a more versatile chair, but sadly, this one is better suited for the more active and limber. Tommy Bahama Wavy Marlin Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair A slightly cheaper alternative to the Tommy Bahama Ultimate, the Deluxe is comfortable, robust and feature-rich. It also offers five reclining positions and a backpack strap for easy carrying. If the Tommy Bahama Ultimate is a little out of your budget, its more affordable sibling, the Tommy Bahama Deluxe, may be a great alternative. Despite being $55 cheaper than the Ultimate, it comes with many of its trimmings. That includes a maximum load capacity of 300 pounds, five recline positions, a side pouch with a mesh drink holder and valuables pocket, a cushioned headrest and a massive insulated rear pocket. And just like the Ultimate, it's easy to clean, set up and collapse. It even has a slight advantage over the Ultimate in portability. It has backpack straps that make it easier to carry across the beach, though it isn't that much lighter. I've carried both models while walking on sand, and those backpack straps truly made the job a whole lot easier. The downside to the Tommy Bahama Deluxe is that if you want to take full advantage of its lay-flat feature, you might struggle to get comfortable. For one thing, that middle bar between the backrest and the seat presses against your back. For another, the seat angles upward, so when you're lying flat on it, your lap angles up, so it feels higher than your head and torso. Unless you angle the chair in the other direction, that makes lying completely flat awkward and the opposite of relaxing. That, along with its clunky recline adjustments, is more than enough to turn off some people. Kelty Lowdown Chair Sturdy, supportive and sufficiently portable, the Kelty Lowdown is an affordable minimalist option for beachgoers who don't care much about the extra frills. You might wonder what a camping chair is doing in my beach chairs guide. I normally don't recommend using camping chairs on sand, as they tend to sink faster because their feet and legs are designed for more solid ground. However, reviews and the competition name-dropped the Kelty Lowdown among the best beach chairs, so I wanted to see what the fuss was about. Sure enough, it fared better than most camping chairs, thanks to its flat feet. They're not that wide — just a little over an inch each — but that was more than enough to keep the chair from sinking too deep or being unstable. During my tests, the feet sank roughly half an inch in the sand and stayed put, even when I tried to rock the seat from side to side. Easy to set up and put away, the Kelty delivers more than stability. Its thin seat padding and supportive backrest ensure comfort, while its 12-inch seat height makes it suitable for those with limited mobility to get in and out. Meanwhile, its impressive maximum load of 350 pounds is higher than that of the Tommy Bahama Ultimate, and its carrying roll bag makes it easier to lug around on the beach as well. What ultimately kept it from the top spot is its lack of features. It has an insulated beverage holder with a divider for your valuables, but that's it. Considering you can get a lot more with the Homevative Folding Backpack Beach Chair for $5 less, the Kelty Lowdown just fell a little short. However, if you don't care for all the frills, it might just be the best beach chair for you. SunFlow The Shore Thing Chair My personal favorite, the SunFlow Shore Thing Chair, is the beach chair for the ultimate resort-like cossetting — but only invest if you have the means to splurge. Out of all the beach chairs I tested, the Shore Thing Chair from SunFlow may just be my personal favorite — and my top recommendation if money is no object and you want the ultimate cossetting experience. Get the completely outfitted version with the UPF 50+ sun shade and drink holder, and you might feel like you're vacationing in a luxury resort in Italy rather than just hanging out at the beach five minutes from your house. I don't just love the Shore Thing Chair because it's pretty; I also love its suspended seat, which offers a hammock-esque feel, gentle-on-the-skin armrests and three levels of recline, which are very easy to adjust. The seat is also decently spacious and sits 13 inches above ground, which makes it easy to get in and out of. It's not the lightest or most compact chair when collapsed, but the backpack straps do make it easy to carry. And since I'm a little lazy when it comes to maintenance, I appreciate that there aren't any wood bits here, and all I have to do to clean it is hose it down with warm water. Still, this chair is one of the priciest models in my pool. You'd think SunFlow would also throw in a pocket for valuables and an insulated one to keep drinks chilled, but sadly, those aren't on offer. So, it isn't as good a value as the Tommy Bahama Ultimate. Buy the cheaper bare-bones one, and all you get is a pretty chair. SunnyLife Take Anywhere Folding Chair Another portable option, this on-the-ground folding chair from SunnyLife gives you the best of the beach towel and beach chair worlds, with thick padding to boot. The portable SunnyLife Take Anywhere Folding Chair feels like the middle ground between a beach chair and a beach towel. Doing away with legs, it's designed to sit on the sand, keeping you close to the ground. That's nice in many ways, and you don't have to worry about sinking either. Add the thickly padded seat and backrest, and it feels like half a daybed or a lounger, making this my second-favorite chair of the lot. There are other things to love as well. The one-step folding and unfolding process is easier than any other beach chair I tested, while the reclining feature, which has six levels, is effortless to adjust. Better yet, when it's completely flat, there are no middle bars that press against my back — a major difference between it and its other lay-flat rivals. Carrying it across soft sand isn't an issue because it's relatively lightweight and small, despite the lack of backpack straps (there's just a sling strap). Plus, it has a maximum load of roughly 330 pounds, but the seat could be more spacious. Sadly, this chair's on-the-ground design also means those with limited mobility may have difficulty using it. Sitting down is hard enough, let alone getting out. It's also hard to clean, since it's spot-clean only. Combine those with its minimal features — there's just a large pocket in the back, and it doesn't feel like the best value of the bunch. Shibumi Chair The Shibumi Chair has many of the makings of a great beach chair, so naturally, the price of entry is a little high. Just make sure to put a towel or blanket over it before you sit. With the Shibumi Shade being one of the best beach umbrellas our team tested, I had high hopes for the brand's beach chair contender. And in many ways, it did live up to the hype. The Shibumi Chair is effortless to fold and unfold, it's spacious and breathable and it feels robust and made of top-quality materials. It's also very stable on sand. The feet sink a little, maybe by an inch, and the chair stays stable. It ticks off many other things on the list. It has a maximum load capacity of 300 pounds, a small drink holder that fits regular-size cups (but not big ones) and backpack straps, so its 8-pound weight isn't too much of a burden when it's a trek to the beach. Those with mobility issues will also appreciate that its seat is 12 inches off the ground. However, one thing kept it from topping this list. The mesh material that its seat and backrest are made of. Mesh is very breathable and supportive, but it also digs into your skin after a while, leaving marks that can be uncomfortable, if not painful. Sitting in this beach chair while only wearing your swimsuit might not be the best idea. KingCamp Low-Sling Beach Chair An even more affordable alternative to the Kelty Lowdown Chair, this KingCamp beach chair is dirt cheap, but there are compromises to be made. The KingCamp Low-Sling Beach Chair was one of the most underwhelming models I tested. While there's nothing bad about it, and its sub-$50 starting price point gives a lot of bang for your buck, it still leaves a lot to be desired. Its circular flat feet or pads and wide-legged design prevent it from sinking too deep and help with stability. Its 21-inch seat is spacious, the thin cushioning in the middle of its backrest offers a bit more support and the top edge of the backrest effortlessly flexes to moonlight as a nice little hammock for your head. It's also easy to fold and unfold, heavy-duty with its 300-pound max load and fairly easy to lug around thanks to its carrying bag. But compared to the other products in my testing pool, there's nothing about it that truly stands out. It's neither the most comfortable nor the most portable. There aren't many features either, just a cup holder. What's more, it sits too low to the ground, making it a little tricky for those with limited mobility. Overall, the KingCamp Low-Sling Beach Chair is middling at best. It's a good alternative to the Kelty Lowdown if money is a little tight, but that's about it. SunFlow The Tall Sand Dune Chair The SunFlow Tall Sand Dune Chair is a bigger, badder version of the Shore Thing Chair. Unfortunately, it's also heavier and pricier, though luckily it comes with backpack straps. As big and tall as the Shore Thing Chair is, SunFlow's Tall Sand Dune Chair is even bigger and taller. Its seat sits a lofty 17 inches off the ground and offers 18 inches of hammock-like comfort, tapering wider at the armrests for even more space. It's the closest thing to the Tommy Bahama Ultimate in size, though not in features. Don't get me wrong: Its accessories bundle makes it as feature-rich as the Shore Thing, with its sun shade and drink holder. It even comes with a footrest that's a nice extra to have if you want your feet off the sand for a little while. And naturally, it has three levels of recline for varying cosseting needs. However, its size is also its undoing. Despite its backpack straps, this chair is massive and weighs 10 pounds, making it bulky to carry, especially if you're on the shorter side. It's also expensive. Though it's only about $5 more than the Tommy Bahama Ultimate, that's just its bare-bones model. Buying the kitted-out version will set you back a whopping $225, which feels like a fortune, considering the competition. Business & Pleasure The Pam Chair Reminiscent of old-world luxury cossetting, the Pam Chair from Business & Pleasure is a splurge. It's beautiful and has some good features, though, if you're willing to pay the high price. Speaking of pricey propositions, the Pam Chair from Business & Pleasure is definitely up there. With a vintage bistro-style design, this beach chair is what I imagine Italian resort poolside chairs looked like back in the olden days (and that's probably accurate). So in a way, you're not just paying for the B&P brand here; you're paying for what the chair inspires — the old-world style of luxury beachgoing. But is it a good value for your money? It has a padded seat and a padded backrest, elevating your comfort. It offers five recline positions and is easy to set up as well as fold. Its seat is 12 inches off the ground. It has padded adjustable backpack straps, so it's a breeze to carry across sand. And while it does sink a little, it doesn't sink too low and has proven to be fairly stable on sand. It has some extra features too. There's a large rear zip pocket for storage, and a detachable drink and phone holder for your beverages and valuables. All that (and more) you can get from the other more affordable beach chairs in this guide, including my top picks, which makes the Business & Pleasure Pam Chair's lofty price hard to justify. Praia Chair Minimalist, portable, easy to clean and very pretty, the Praia Chair is another premium option if you care more about traveling light than getting all the frills. The Praia Chair received top marks for some things — namely, ease of use, portability and maintenance. Its one-step folding-and-unfolding process is intuitive and effortless, making its setup a joy for most beachgoers. It also happens to be one of the lightest models of the testing pool at just 5 pounds, and it's the smallest and easiest to clean. However, those who prefer a kitted-out chair, or at least one with storage, will be disappointed. This is just a chair, nothing else, and one with a very taut seat at that. The idea of using woven nylon for the seat and backrest is brilliant because nylon is lightweight but robust. At the same time, it also makes sacrifices in comfort — after 30 minutes of sitting in this chair, my bottom started to hurt. This also isn't a great chair for those with mobility issues. It not sits low to the ground but also tends to sink a lot in sand. It took less than an hour for the underside of its seat to start touching the sand during my tests. For a beach chair that sets you back more than $100, the Praia Chair has far too many compromises. It sure is pretty, though. Business & Pleasure The Tommy Chair With a beautiful, old-world luxury resort look, the Tommy Chair is a high-end beach chair with a price to match. However, the execution could be better. Much like the Pam Chair, Business & Pleasure's Tommy Chair is an attractive beach chair that reminded me of old-world resort luxury, and it's built for it too, with its UV, mold and water-resistant umbrella canvas and premium hardwood materials. This is a chair made for those with expensive taste — and it's priced like one too, at $299. To its credit, the Tommy Chair is easy to fold and unfold, has five recline positions that are effortless to adjust, comes with a large rear pocket for storage and has padded backpack straps for easy carrying. But at that price point, beachgoers expect a lot more, and sadly, several things could have been executed better. The armrests, while wide, are not perfectly sanded and have fine bits of wood sticking out, which could result in splinters. The canvas seat and backrest aren't as soft as advertised. The seat itself could be more spacious and sit a little higher off the ground. And the beach chair, while not kitted out, weighs a whopping 13 pounds. Can you check a beach chair on a plane? Can you check a beach chair on a plane? Most US airlines let you check a beach chair, as long as it's packed correctly and meets their size and weight requirements. You can also have a beach chair as a carry-on, as long as it fits under your seat or in the overhead bin. The Helinox Beach Chair is a great example of this. How much does a beach chair cost? How much does a beach chair cost? Beach chairs range from $50 to $300, but price is not indicative of their quality and value. Some beach chairs will set you back more than $100 yet offer very minimal features, while others that cost the same will be fully kitted out. When purchasing a beach chair, it's best to look at its price only after you've considered all of its features. Do I need a beach chair? Do I need a beach chair? That depends. Most people don't need a beach chair — a lot of people just bring a beach blanket or a beach towel. However, it's nice to have one if you want minimal sand contact or tracking. If you have limited mobility, on the other hand, it might be a good idea to invest in a beach chair that has a higher seat height to make it easier for you to sit and get back up. CNN Underscored editors thoroughly test all the products we cover and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors with several years of testing experience who ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately and speaking about the pros and cons of each item. Testing writer Michelle Rae Uy boasts years of experience covering lifestyle products and writing product reviews. She covered beach essentials for various publications before joining CNN Underscored, and she wrote our best beach towels guide as well as cowrote our best-tested beach wagons and beach umbrellas guides.
