01
Best overall pick
Carmel Beach
Carmel-By-The-Sea Waterfront • Scenic White-Sand Beach • Best For Classic Monterey Bay Views
A sweeping white-sand curve framed by cypress trees and blue water, Carmel Beach feels like the postcard version of the Monterey coast.
From Chualar, Carmel Beach is the place you go when you want the full, polished beach experience—soft sand, dramatic cypress silhouettes, and wide-open ocean views. Parking sits just above the sand, so it is easy to bring chairs, blankets, and a picnic for sunset. The water is usually too cold and rough for casual swimming, but it is ideal for long walks, dogs on leashes, and taking out-of-town visitors somewhere memorable.
02
Best for wild scenery
Asilomar State Beach
Pacific Grove Shoreline • Wild, Windswept Shoreline • Great For Tide Pools And Sunsets
Rocky points, sandy pockets, and a boardwalk through the dunes give Asilomar a rugged, almost untouched feel within easy reach of town.
Asilomar is the beach to choose when you want scenery more than sunbathing space. Low-tide reveals tide pools and rock channels, and the wooden boardwalk lets you wander the dunes without trampling them. It often runs cool and breezy here, so pack layers and plan on a slow shoreline walk, photography, or just watching the surf crash against the rocks.
03
Easiest in-town escape
Del Monte Beach
Monterey Waterfront Near Downtown • Relaxed In-Town Beach • Best For Low-Key Walks And Quick Ocean Fixes
Set just behind Monterey neighborhoods, Del Monte Beach is a long, mellow stretch of sand that feels surprisingly local and uncrowded.
Del Monte Beach is a smart stop if you are running errands in Salinas or Monterey and want an easy detour to the water. Access paths over the low dunes drop you onto soft sand that is great for walking, beachcombing, or just sitting and listening to the waves. It lacks the drama of Carmel or Asilomar, but that is part of the charm—this is a simple, relaxed place to reset before heading back inland.
04
Best for big-sky dune walks
Marina State Beach
Marina Dunes North Of Monterey • Wide, Windswept Dune Beach • Best For Big-Sky Walks And Kite Flying
High dunes, steady wind, and a broad beach make Marina State Beach feel open and wild, perfect for long walks and watching the paragliders overhead.
If you like wide horizons and a bit of weather, Marina State Beach is worth the short drive from Chualar. Trails over the dunes drop onto a broad, often breezy beach where kites, paragliders, and dramatic surf are the main show. The steep drop-off and strong currents mean this is more of a walking and watching spot than a swim beach, but the sunsets here can be outstanding.
05
Best sheltered cove
Lovers Point Beach
Pacific Grove Cove Near Downtown • Compact, Sheltered Cove Beach • Best For Families And Calm-Water Views
Tucked into a rocky point, Lovers Point Beach offers a small sandy cove with usually calmer water and easy access to town amenities.
Lovers Point is a good pick when you want ocean time without the full exposure of the open coast. The cove’s shape often keeps the water a bit calmer, making it popular with kayakers, paddleboarders, and families who just want to dabble at the edge. Benches, a grassy park, and nearby cafés make it easy to linger before heading back over the hill to Chualar.