Best Beaches In & Near Carmel-by-the-Sea

By The Beach Guide | Last Updated: January 29, 2025

Map featuring Carmel-by-the-Sea beaches. Click on pins to view beach details

1. Carmel Beach

© Blake Carroll

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 0.5 hrs

Located in the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, in central California's Monterey County, Carmel Beach is formed of a stunning arc of pale sand that runs for close to a mile in length. Edged by vegetation to one side and clear Pacific waters to the other, it looks almost tropical in appearance.
Despite slightly chilly water temperatures, which top out at around 61°F/16°C, Carmel Beach is a popular surfing spot. It is also… read more »
2. Asilomar State Beach

Maxwell Pearl

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 0.5 hrs

Asilomar State Beach is a beautiful stretch of golden sand located on California's Monterey Peninsula. It is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and tidepooling. The beach is also home to the Asilomar Conference Grounds, a historic resort and conference center.
The one-mile long beach that is made up of both sandy areas and rocky coves and forms part of the Asilomar State Marine Reserve. This means that there are special rules… read more »
3. Fan Shell Beach

Clotee Pridgen Allochuku

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 0.5 hrs

Fan Shell Beach is a picturesque little stretch of coastline along the famous 17-Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. With its rugged beauty, soft white sand, and stunning ocean views, this beach is a favourite stop for visitors exploring the Monterey Peninsula.
During spring and early summer, the beach is a key nesting site for Brandt’s cormorants, making it an excellent location for birdwatching. The surrounding rocks and tide pools are home… read more »
4. Gibson Beach

Eric Chan

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 0.5 hrs

This is a top spot for nature lovers. Gibson's Beach is the southernmost beach in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and can be reached by car in around 10 minutes from Carmel. The scenic drive alone is well worth the time spent.
It's a wide sandy stretch about a quarter of a mile long and access to the beach can be challenging, but the reward of seclusion and some nice wave… read more »
5. Fort Ord Dunes State Park Beach

Justin Dolske

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 0.5 hrs

This quiet and expansive stretch of beach is situated near Monterey on California's Central Coast. Once part of the former Fort Ord military base, the four-mile-long beach is now a protected state park.

The dunes which back the beach provide a natural barrier from the wind and add to the beach's rugged beauty. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including migratory shorebirds and coastal foxes with… read more »
6. Garrapata State Park Beach

Scottb211

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 0.5 hrs

Garrapata State Park Beach is a rugged and breathtaking stretch of coastline along California's famed Highway 1, just south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. This wild and unspoiled beach is part of a state park, which includes over 4,000 acres of dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and scenic hiking trails. With its golden sand, crashing Pacific waves, and stunning views, Garrapata captures the essence of Big Sur's raw beauty.

The beach itself is… read more »
7. Marina State Beach

karaian

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 0.5 hrs
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8. Pfeiffer Beach

Robert Brett

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 1 hr

Pfeiffer Beach is in the Big Sur area of California. Roughly a mile long, it is located down a twisting and unmarked two-mile paved road that is unsuitable for RVs and trailers as it has only five points at which vehicles are able to pass one another in opposite directions.
However, this beach more than makes up for the slight difficulty in getting there in sheer beauty. Its main attraction is… read more »
9. Andrew Molera State Park

Brian Cantoni

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 0.5 hrs

This is the largest state park along the Big Sur coast and since it boasts over 20 miles of hiking trails, it's the perfect destination for avid trekkers.
Here, you'll find open meadows, high ridges, groves of sycamore and redwood trees, a river, many trails, and one of the best beaches to explore in the area.
The beach itself isn't the most accessible, and takes a little effort to get to, but… read more »
10. Moss Landing State Beach

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 0.5 hrs
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11. Santa Cruz Main Beach

David Merrett

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 1 hr

Santa Cruz Main Beach is also known as Boardwalk Beach because it sits in front of the boardwalk amusement park. Dating from 1907, it contains the historic Big Dipper rollercoaster, a swimming pool, mini golf, and restaurants among its attractions.
On the opposite side of the municipal wharf from Cowell Beach, Main Beach faces south and stretches on to the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. Despite its size, Main Beach… read more »
12. Capitola Beach

Dale Cruse

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 1 hr

Often voted one of the top ten beaches on the US West Coast, this beach of fine sand lies at the northern end of Monterey Bay. It sits in front of the almost-neon homes of the village of Capitola, where you can also find a good choice of restaurants and shops. Very popular on sunny summer days when lifeguards are on duty, Capitola Beach is a south facing beach… read more »
13. Bonny Doon Beach

Nick Amoscato

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 1 hr

Pretty Bonny Doon Beach is a gorgeous sandy cove backed by high cliffs and flower-covered slopes creating a natural amphitheatre.
Situated just off the Cabrillo Highway near Bonny Doon Road in Santa Cruz, it is part of Coast Dairies State Park with free parking but no facilities. The paved parking lot is open 8am to sunset but it quickly fills up. Beach access involves walking across the railroad tracks… read more »
14. McWay Falls Cove

© Pexels

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 1 hr

Set in the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park this beautiful little horseshoe shaped cove is surrounded by high, tree-lined cliffs. Perhaps the beach's most notable feature though is McWay Falls, a waterfall that vertically plunges 80 feet directly into the aqua-blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. The cove here is one of the undisputed highlights of Big Sur and only a short trip from California's legendary coastal highway, Route 1.read more »
15. Natural Bridges State Beach

David Merrett

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 1 hr

Located at the end of West Cliff Drive, this sand beach is protected by its status as a 26-hectare California state park and marine reserve. Relatively sheltered, it is named after the natural archways that have formed over time in the rocks, of which only one now remains.
Its marine reserve status means there's a possibility of observing seals and California's famed sea otters, while tidal pools provide a way of… read more »
16. Seabright Beach

Mike Fernwood

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 1 hr

Situated just along the coast from Main Beach and the boardwalk, Seabright Beach runs from the mouth of the San Lorenzo River to the entrance of Santa Cruz Harbour. The beach is accessed via the western end of East Cliff Drive, near the Museum of Natural History, and where there is free parking.
Seabright Beach is a wide stretch of richly-coloured sands that continue on for around 800 metres, with… read more »
17. Manresa State Beach

Naotake Murayama

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 1 hr

Manresa State Beach is a beautiful, wide stretch of golden sand located on the Monterey Bay coastline just outside Santa Cruz. Despite this the beach has something of a remote feel and the lack of commercial development making it a perfect escape for those looking to experience California's natural coastal beauty.

The beach is popular with surfers, especially those looking for a less crowded alternative to Santa Cruz's busier surf… read more »
18. Lighthouse Field State Beach

Don DeBold

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 1 hr

Lighthouse Field State Beach lies at the north end of Monterey Bay in downtown Santa Cruz, and can be accessed via West Cliff Drive. A protected state park covering 15 hectares, it overlooks the famous Steamer Lane surf break, making it incredibly popular with experienced surfers and body boarders.
The beach itself is formed of flat, lightly-coloured sands surrounded by smooth platforms of sedimentary rock that act as the… read more »
19. Mitchell Cove Beach

David Merrett

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 1 hr

The Santa Cruz beach of Mitchell's Cove is marked by a pinnacle of sandstone that stands right at the centre of its sands. South facing, much of the depth of the beach is lost during high tide, although there is the possibility of catching sight of migrating grey whales.
Free parking is available at the top of the steps that lead down the cliff to the beach, between the turnings… read more »
20. Twin Lakes State Beach

Don DeBold

Travel time from Carmel-by-the-Sea: approx 1 hr
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