01
Best for sunset walks
Spanish Bay Beach
Pebble Beach, Along 17-Mile Drive • Wind-Swept Dunes And Boardwalk Beach • Scenic Choice For Long Shoreline Strolls
Dune-backed sand, a long oceanside boardwalk, and wide-open Pacific views make Spanish Bay Beach a signature Pebble Beach stop.
Spanish Bay is the easiest beach choice right inside Del Monte Forest, with pullouts and small lots just off 17-Mile Drive and The Inn at Spanish Bay. Expect cool ocean breezes, often strong wind, and a mix of locals walking the boardwalk and surfers eyeing the breaks offshore. Bring layers, plan on walking rather than swimming, and stay for the glow when the sun drops behind the offshore rocks.
02
Best for tidepools and photography
Asilomar State Beach
Pacific Grove Coastline • Rocky State Beach With Sandy Pockets • Great For Exploring And Tidepooling
A dramatic, slightly wild stretch of shoreline where pullouts, trails, and boardwalks let you wander between bluffs, rocks, and small coves.
Just north of Del Monte Forest, Asilomar State Beach trades a single wide strand for a series of rocky points and little sandy inlets. It is excellent for tidepooling at lower tides, photography in almost any light, and leisurely walks along the coastal trail and dunes boardwalk. Surf and currents are strong here, so most visitors stay on the sand and rocks rather than in the water.
03
Best classic beach day
Carmel Beach
Carmel-By-The-Sea Waterfront • Wide White-Sand Town Beach • Best For Picnics And People-Watching
Soft white sand, a sweeping view of Carmel Bay, and the walkable streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea just uphill give this beach a big-day-out feel.
Carmel Beach sits at the foot of Ocean Avenue, with parking along the bluff and stairways dropping to a broad arc of sand. On fair days you will see surfers in the lineup, dogs chasing tennis balls, and families settling in with blankets and coolers. It is lively without feeling overbuilt, and the easy stroll back into town for coffee or dinner is part of the appeal.
04
Best low-key local stretch
Del Monte Beach
North Side Of Monterey • Laid-Back Neighborhood Walking Beach • Local Favorite For Quiet Walks
A long, gently curving sand beach backed by dunes and homes, Del Monte Beach feels more like a neighborhood shoreline than a tourist zone.
Just a short drive from Del Monte Forest, this beach offers a mellow alternative to the busier wharf and Cannery Row area. Street parking and small lots feed into paths through the dunes, with a few benches and picnic spots tucked behind the sand. It is ideal for sunrise or late-afternoon walks, beachcombing, and watching the changing light over Monterey Bay.
05
Best intimate scenic cove
Stillwater Cove Beach
Below The Lodge At Pebble Beach • Sheltered Cove Under Golf-Course Cliffs • Great For Calm-Water Views And Photos
A compact sandy cove tucked beneath Pebble Beach Golf Links, with calm waters and framed views of Carmel Bay and the famous 18th hole.
Stillwater Cove is smaller than other nearby beaches but feels special, with its protected waters and backdrop of fairways and cypress trees. Access is via public beach parking near The Lodge at Pebble Beach, followed by a short walk down toward the sand. On calmer days you may see kayakers and paddleboarders in the cove, while many visitors simply settle in for the views across to Carmel Beach and the headlands.