Carmel area / High Meadows
A Carmel neighborhoodHigh Meadows Luxury Homes for Sale: hillside living with valley and ocean views.
High Meadows sits on the hill just east of Highway 1, a few minutes above Carmel-by-the-Sea. It’s in unincorporated Monterey County, with a mix of single-family homes and condo communities, wooded settings, and from some homes views across Carmel Valley toward Point Lobos and the ocean. If you’re looking at High Meadows homes for sale, here’s what I’d tell a friend first.
- Jurisdiction
- Unincorporated Monterey County, just east of Highway 1
- Schools
- Carmel Unified (confirm by address)
- Coastal zone
- Generally no; it falls under the county’s Greater Monterey Peninsula plan (confirm by parcel)
- Walk to
- Mostly a drive; Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pebble Beach, and Monterey are all close
- The feel
- Quiet and wooded, with single-family homes and condos
- Views
- From some homes, across Carmel Valley toward Point Lobos and the ocean (varies by lot)
What it’s like to live in High Meadows
It’s a private setting that keeps you close to everything.
- No through trafficHigh Meadows doesn’t lead to any other neighborhood, so once you’re here there are very few cars passing through. That’s a big part of the appeal.
- Views for the valueMany homes have forested views, and some look across Carmel Valley to the south or toward Point Lobos and the Pacific. In my experience, the value for a view here is strong.
- Condo choicesThere are several condo communities, including the High Meadow complex, the condos on High Meadow Lane, and High Meadow Outlook, with vaulted ceilings and a more wooded feel. None of them come to market often.
- Easy to lock and leaveWhether you want a custom home with ocean and mountain views or a condo you can lock up and leave, Highway 1 is right there.
What to know before buying here
None of this should scare you off. It’s just much easier to plan for up front than to discover in escrow.
County rules, not the town’s
High Meadows is in unincorporated Monterey County, under the county’s Greater Monterey Peninsula plan, so permits and planning go through the county.
My advice: don’t assume what you’ve heard about the village applies here. I’ll help you check.
Read the HOA documents
For condos, and some single-family homes, the HOA shapes daily life: dues, reserves, rules on rentals, pets, and remodels.
My advice: we’ll go through the budget, reserves, and rules before you commit.
Views and trees
Views are a big part of the value, and they can change as trees grow or neighbors build. Removing protected trees can need a county permit.
My advice: we’ll look at what could change around the home, not just what you see today.
Fire and insurance
Wooded hillsides around the Peninsula can be mapped in fire hazard zones, which can affect insurance and building requirements.
My advice: check the current CAL FIRE map for the address and get insurance quotes during your inspection period.
Rules change, so we’ll confirm current requirements with Monterey County for any home you’re serious about. Check with Carmel Unified School District for school assignments.
Nearby neighborhoods
Seeing High Meadows homes before they hit the market
Condos and homes in High Meadows come up fairly infrequently, so an early look matters. Compass is now part of the same family as Coldwell Banker, Sotheby’s International Realty, Corcoran and more, so I can see coming-soon listings from those brokerages too.
High Meadows home buying FAQ
Is High Meadows inside the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea?
No. High Meadows is in unincorporated Monterey County, in the hills above but outside the town limits of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Permits and planning go through Monterey County rather than the village. Buyers planning to remodel or build should confirm requirements directly with Monterey County.
Does High Meadows have a homeowners association?
Yes. High Meadows is governed by a homeowners association. Buyers should request and review the HOA documents, CC&Rs, rules and regulations, and financial statements during the inspection period. Key items to review include monthly or annual dues, any special assessments, restrictions on short-term rentals, rules regarding landscaping and exterior modifications, and the reserve fund balance.
Are there both homes and condos for sale in High Meadows?
Yes. High Meadows includes both single-family homes and condominiums, which makes it one of the more varied Carmel-area communities in terms of property type. The HOA structure and rules may differ between the single-family and condominium portions of the community, so confirming which set of documents and dues apply to any specific property is important.
Is High Meadows in the California coastal zone?
High Meadows is generally outside California's coastal zone, as it sits in the inland hills above Carmel-by-the-Sea. Coastal zone status should always be confirmed by specific parcel before planning any construction or significant remodeling.
What views are available in High Meadows?
High Meadows sits in an elevated position above Carmel-by-the-Sea, and many properties have views toward Carmel Valley, the surrounding hills, and in some cases the ocean. Views vary significantly by specific lot and unit position within the community. Confirming what a property's view looks like from the living areas and outdoor spaces before making an offer is advisable.
What schools serve High Meadows?
High Meadows is served by Carmel Unified School District. School assignments should be confirmed by specific property address directly with Carmel Unified School District, as boundaries can vary by parcel.
Have a question that isn’t here? Contact me.
High Meadows homes for sale right now
The live listings are just below. High Meadows is small, so there may only be a few homes or condos for sale at any time, and sometimes none. If nothing fits today, tell me what you’re after and I’ll keep an eye out.
Curious about High Meadows? Let’s talk it through.
Tell me what you’re picturing, and I’ll tell you honestly what it takes to get there: what to watch for and what a fair price looks like. No pitch.
Prefer to text? 831-747-0310 · [email protected]
Selling too? Start with a no-pressure home valuation, and we’ll plan both moves together.
Jonathan Balog, Associate Broker | Compass | DRE# 01980970
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Neighborhood boundaries are approximate. Local rules summarized here are general information, not legal advice; confirm current requirements with Monterey County.