Carmel — The Artists' Secret Code
Uncover the hidden code forged by Carmel's enigmatic artists—a secret pact binding creativity, nature, and forbidden knowledge. Decipher their clues across galleries and sculptures to expose the truth before it's lost forever.
📱 1 to 10 phones · 1 team per phone · Independent codes
In the bohemian heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, a clandestine brotherhood of artists forged 'The Code' in the 20th century—a cryptic pact uniting their works with the wild beauty of the Monterey coast
The Free Spirit of Carmel
In the bohemian heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea, a clandestine brotherhood of artists forged 'The Code' in the 20th century—a cryptic pact uniting their works with the wild beauty of the Monterey coast. From luminous murals to bronze sculptures whispering ancient secrets, they embedded symbols of rebellion against conformity, hiding a final revelation that could redefine artistic legacy. But betrayal struck: a key member vanished, taking the code's ultimate meaning to the grave. Now, you are the outsider they've awaited. Starting amid the vibrant public art that pulses through Ocean Avenue, track their signatures across hidden galleries, sculpted figures, and nature-infused installations. Solve the interconnected riddles linking Steven Whyte's figurative bronzes, Marie-Clare Treseder Gorham's glowing mural at Mission and Sixth, and Dawson Cole's modern masters. Outwit the veil of beauty to decipher the pact's core mystery: what forbidden inspiration drove them, and where does it lead?
« I don't think I would be a good politician. I'm too much of a maverick. I'd rather just do my own thing. »— Clint Eastwood
Carmel, Cradle of Free Spirits
In the early 20th century, Carmel-by-the-Sea forged a reputation as a bohemian artist colony, attracting poets, writers, and painters fleeing urban hustle. Figures like George Sterling and Robinson Jeffers settled there, inspired by the wild beauty of the coast and an atmosphere of intellectual freedom. The town developed without street numbers, featuring picturesque architecture and a close-knit community centered around arts and nature, laying the foundation for a unique identity.
Decades later, this identity was challenged by growth and modernization. It was in this context that actor-director Clint Eastwood, a long-time resident, was elected mayor in 1986. His term was marked by efforts to preserve the town's historic character while addressing residents' needs, thus reflecting the original spirit of the founders: a delicate balance between progress and respect for an artistic and natural heritage.
A game, a guided tour and a heritage guide — all in one
You're not just buying an escape game. You're carrying a living guide — historical anecdotes, forgotten legends, key monuments, hidden architecture — unfolding as you go.
At each stop, places ordinary guides miss — secret façades, sculpted crests, alleys steeped in history.
Every riddle is rooted in a real historical fact or local legend. You leave with dozens of stories to tell.
Learn to read buildings — flamboyant Gothic, Baroque, Art Deco — like a real art historian, while having fun.
Walk through the city like a novel's character — every alley becomes a stage, every square a theatre.
A voice walks with you at every step, tells the story of each place, reads clues, adds a cinematic feel.
Keep access to the guide & game for 1 year. Come back any time, share it with friends.
« You will not leave this city the way you entered it. »
How does it work?
Explore the city on foot solving puzzles based on real historical facts. No locked room — the city is your playground.
No app to download. Play directly from your browser. Guided step by step, at your own pace.
One purchase per phone is enough. Play with family, friends or as a couple — everyone participates.
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears and speaks to you in your language. Golden letters magically write themselves on the wall to reveal the puzzle answer.
Stuck? Progressive personalised hints. The character repeats the puzzle on demand — at your own pace.
French, English, German, Spanish, Italian + 27 other languages auto-translated by AI.
Want to go deeper?
Places tied to your adventure — optional entries, totally up to you · per person
The Route
8 stages through the city
The gameplay: AR, camera, hidden clues
At each stop, open your phone camera: an augmented reality character appears on the façade and speaks your language. Hunt the clue — it materializes as golden letters on the real wall or floats in front of you. When you find it, the phone vibrates, an AR chest opens and reveals your answer fragment. 8 stops, 8 clues to find with the camera, 1 final code.
The stops on your route are a surprise. You'll discover them one by one, guided by your phone, starting from the meeting point.
How does it work with a group?
One phone = one team. Pick the number at checkout (1 to 10).
Solo, or a group sharing the screen. One team, one code.
Family, couple, or 2-3 teams competing. Each phone has its own code and its own score.
Friends, bachelor/bachelorette, small office outing — each their own code, each plays at their own pace. Tiered pricing then €6 flat per phone from the 6th.
- ✓All codes are independent — play at the same time OR separately, each team advances at its own pace.
- ✓Leaderboard between your teams + global game leaderboard — each score appears in the public ranking.
- ✓More than 10 phones or need a personalized quest? Discover custom tours.
Ready to live this adventure?
Get my code · 12€No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒 Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
Practical info
Why this route?
Bohemian Legacy
Retrace the steps of the poets, painters, and thinkers who shaped Carmel's unique identity.
Eastwood's Imprint
Explore the city from the perspective of the famous actor-mayor and his commitment to the community.
Inspiring Landscapes
Let yourself be carried away by the natural beauty of the Pacific coast, eternal muse of Carmel's artists.
Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.
Edgar Degas
9 features nobody else has
OddballTrip combines gamified play, augmented reality and AI. All our competitors deliver 1 or 2 of these angles. We deliver all 5.
AR treasure chest
A golden chest floats in front of the monument. Tap → opening animation → reveals a secret message.
AR narrator character
Point your phone at the façade: a knight, witch, monk, sailor, detective or ghost appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language with their dedicated ElevenLabs voice (each character has their own unique voice) — your living guide.
Magic golden letters
At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's the puzzle answer. An unforgettable visual effect.
Written + audio narration
Every puzzle available as text AND voice-over: read at your own pace or listen eyes-free while walking. Great in groups and for accessibility.
360° radar + vibration
A mini-radar shows the target even behind you, and the phone vibrates when you aim in the right direction.
Heritage storytelling
Every puzzle weaves in real historical facts (architecture, era, anecdotes). You learn by playing — like a gamified audioguide.
Progressive AI hints
3 levels of AI-generated help: vibe → where to look → answer format. You're never stuck.
AR selfie memento
At the end of the game, capture a selfie with OddballTrip banner + mascot, shareable on Instagram, TikTok.
Zero app to install
PWA technology: open the link, it plays in your browser. Same quality as an app, no App Store hassle.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Do I need to download an app?
No, never. You get a link, you click, it plays in your browser. That's the point of a PWA: same as an app, without the hassle.
Q02Does it work offline?
GPS yes (handled by your phone). Maps yes (tiles cached). AI and hints need an intermittent 4G connection.
Q03How long does a game take?
1 h 30 to 2 h 30 depending on your pace. The timer runs but only for the leaderboard — you play at your own tempo.
Q04What happens if I'm stuck?
You get 3 levels of hints per puzzle (increasing penalty). If truly stuck, you can skip the step (45-min penalty but you keep going).
Q05What's the age range?
From 12 without an adult, from 6 with an adult reading puzzles. Works for families, couples, friend groups, companies.
Q06What if my city isn't in the catalogue?
Pre-register or contact us — we'll email you as soon as your city is live.
Q07What is augmented reality exactly?
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language. At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's your answer. After each puzzle solved, a treasure chest floats in front of you. Seeing is believing.
Avis des aventuriers
Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience.
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Your turn to play
Track down fragments of a forgotten artistic manifesto and reconstruct the timeless vision of the creators who shaped Carmel-by-the-Sea. Can you decipher the code and reveal the essence of this unique town?
1 purchase = 1 phone. Play several on the same device.
No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
🪙+24 TripCoins granted with your booking
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