When Doris Day decided to retire from acting in 1973, she chose to move to tiny Carmel-by-the-Sea in California. She’s not the only celebrity to have called the enclave home. Clint Eastwood was even mayor of the town in the 1980s. What most people don't know is that there are some unusual things associated with living there. For example, wearing a pair of Louboutins could land you on the wrong side of the law. Created in 1963, there’s a bizarre municipal code that makes it illegal to walk in high heels without a permit. The rule is meant to prevent injuries caused by uneven sidewalks, avoiding any lawsuits. That’s not the only eccentric fact about this billionaires’ playground. Just because the city is filled with stars, that doesn't mean everyone knows who's who. Brad Pitt was recently turned away from high-end bistro La Bicyclette when he showed up with his girlfriend without a reservation. While it's now a discreet playground for the uber-wealthy, the city had humble beginnings as a tiny seaside resort. A number of artists settled in Carmel, with notable early residents including painter Salvador Dali and novelist Robert Louis Stevenson. Despite measuring just one square mile, the city has more than 40 art galleries, 60 restaurants and 40 hotels. Another quirky oddity about Carmel-by-the-Sea is that no one in the wealthy community has a street address. When asked for their address, residents describe their homes’ color or style, nearby landmarks like cypress trees and fire hydrants or their location relative to the nearest cross street. Many houses have signs with whimsical names like Neverland, Dreamcatcher and Pinch Me. There's also no mail delivery service, so residents must pick up their mail at the post office, the only building with an official address. So, if you plan on visiting someone there, you had better know what their house looks like. No doubt you will be wearing sensible shoes.
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| Doris Day's house |
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| Clint Eastwood's house |
