America's Best Small Towns to Visit, SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE

SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE features “America's Best Small Towns to Visit” 2012, 2013 and 2014. SMITHSONIAN “worked with the geographical information systems company Esri, which analyzed tons of data to find towns or cities of fewer than 15,000 residents where cultural opportunities abound, at least on a per capita basis” in 2014.

The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2014

1. Chautauqua, NY
2. Healdsburg, CA
3. Williamsburg, VA
4. Steamboat Springs, CO
5. Woods Hole, MA
6. Marietta, OH
7. Beaufort, SC
8. Sedona, AZ
9. Nebraska City, NE
10. Lanesboro, MN
11. Spring Green, WI
12. Havre de Grace, MD
13. Columbia, PA
14. Mount Dora, FL
15. Ketchum, ID
16. Montpelier, VT
17. Harrodsburg, KY
18. Silver City, NM
19. Decorah, IA
20. The Dalles, OR

The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2013, SMITHSONIAN “sought a statistical answer to this question by asking the geographic information company Esri to search its databases for small towns and cities—this time, with populations of less than 15,000—that have exceptional concentrations of museums, art galleries, orchestras, theaters, historic sites and other cultural blessings.”

The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2013

1. Gettysburg, PA
2. Cleveland, MS
3. St. Augustine, FL
4. Baraboo, WI
5. Astoria, OR
6. Petoskey, MI
7. Fairfield, IA
8. Los Alamos, NM
9. Sitka, AK
10. Provincetown, MA
11. Galena, IL
12. Sausalito, CA
13. Hanover, NH
14. Oberlin, OH
15. Jackson, WY
16. Lexington, VA
17. Abilene, KS
18. Lihue, HI
19. Fredericksburg, TX
20. Glenwood Springs, CO

The 20 Best Small Towns in America of 2012, SMITHSONIAN “asked the geographic information systems company Esri to search its data bases for high concentrations of museums, historic sites, botanic gardens, resident orchestras, art galleries and other cultural assets common to big cities. But we focused on towns with populations less than 25,000, so travelers could experience what might be called enlightened good times in an unhurried, charming setting.”

The 20 Best Small Towns in America of 2012

1. Great Barrington, MA Big-city smart meets New England natural in an art-rich mountain setting.
2. Taos, NM Modern art, ancient history and counter culture in the luminous high desert.
3. Red Bank, NJ Willie Nelson sings and Basie swings in a riverfront town graced by Victoriana.
4. Mill Valley, CA A Bay Area enclave that put mellow on the map keeps its funky vibe.
5. Gig Harbor, WA Take numerous art galleries. Add sailboats and local wines. Stir. Enjoy.
6. Durango, CO All aboard for mountain fun, plus classical tunes and—gasp—vaudeville.
7. Butler, PA An old-time rural hub as down-to-earth as its most famous product—the Jeep
8. Marfa, TX With mock couture, edgy movies and ironic motels, it’s no cow town.
9. Naples, FL World-class music, design to die for and palm trees
10. Staunton, VA A Shenandoah mix of Confederate relics and Elizabethan theater.
11. Brattleboro, VT
12. Princeton, NJ
13. Brunswick, ME
14. Siloam Springs, AR
15. Menomonie, WI
16. Key West, FL
17. Laguna Beach, CA
18. Ashland, OR
19. Beckley City, WV
20. Oxford, MS 

The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea touts “Travel+Leisure magazine recently recognized Carmel-by-the-Sea as one of the most romantic cities in the world - ahead of Florence, Italy and just behind Paris and Venice. In 2013, Conde Nast Traveler readers ranked Carmel as their 6th favorite city in the United States” on the City’s website. Alas, residents and visitors of the City would be better served by city government if the city council and city administration emulated Smithsonian Magazine’s “Best Small Towns to Visit.” Accordingly, if the city council and city administrator were less concerned about budget presentation awards and financial balance sheets and more concerned with the maintenance, upkeep and accessibility of all of Carmel-by-the-Sea's historical, cultural and environmental assets, then perhaps Carmel-by-the-Sea would deserve to be on Smithsonian Magazine’s list of the “Best Small Towns to Visit.”