01
Best overall pick
Del Monte Beach
Monterey Waterfront • Laid-Back City Beach With Dunes • Best All-Around Beach Close To Town
A long, dune-backed stretch of sand that feels relaxed and local while still being just a few minutes from downtown Monterey.
Tucked just east of Cannery Row, Del Monte Beach is where locals head for morning jogs, casual surf sessions, and uncrowded shoreline walks. The dunes buffer it from traffic, so it stays surprisingly quiet given how close it is to town. Parking is relatively straightforward, and the gentle slope of the beach makes it easy for groups to spread out for a simple, no-fuss beach day.
02
Top spot for divers
San Carlos Beach
Cannery Row Area • Compact Waterfront Pocket With Marine Life Access • Best For Scuba, Kayaks, And Sea Otter Watching
A small sandy cove at the edge of Cannery Row that doubles as a prime launch point into Monterey Bay’s kelp forests and wildlife.
San Carlos Beach sits at the western end of Cannery Row and is famous among divers as an easy shore entry into rich kelp beds and reef. Even if you’re not suited up, the nearby breakwater and kelp canopy make it a reliable place to spot sea otters, harbor seals, and seabirds. The grassy lawn and benches above the sand are handy if you want ocean views without committing to a full beach setup.
03
Most dramatic coastline
Asilomar State Beach
Pacific Grove Shoreline • Rugged Scenic Coast With Tidepools • Best For Tidepools, Photography, And Sunsets
A rocky, wave-sculpted shoreline with short sand pockets, sweeping views, and a boardwalk through protected dunes.
Asilomar trades broad swimming beaches for drama: twisting rock formations, crashing surf, and tidepools that light up at low tide. A coastal trail and wooden boardwalk run alongside the water and through the dunes, making it ideal for slow walks and photography without scrambling over rocks the whole way. Come for golden hour when the light catches the granite and you get big-sky views down the coast toward Pebble Beach.
04
Best family cove
Lovers Point Park Beach
Pacific Grove – Lovers Point • Sheltered Cove With Grassy Park • Best For Picnics And Gentle Water Access
A protected little bay with a sandy pocket beach, easy water entry, and a park backdrop that feels made for picnics and paddling.
Lovers Point tucks into a curve of the shoreline where the bay stays relatively calm compared with more exposed beaches nearby. Families and casual paddlers like it for its small sandy arc, nearby rentals, and the option to switch between beach time and the shaded lawns just a few steps away. The rocky point framing the cove also delivers lovely sunrise and early-morning views across the water when the light hits the Monterey hills.
05
Iconic postcard beach
Carmel Beach
Carmel-By-The-Sea Shoreline • Wide White-Sand Strand With Cypress Backdrop • Best For Dog-Friendly Walks And Sunset Views
A sweeping, soft-sand beach at the foot of Carmel-by-the-Sea, framed by sculpted cypress trees and views toward Pebble Beach.
Carmel Beach feels both polished and relaxed, with its bright sand, ocean-facing bluffs, and informal mix of locals, surfers, and visitors. Dogs are a regular sight here, and the broad shoreline means there’s room for casual games, long strolls, and spreading out near the dunes. Stay into the evening if you can; this is one of the region’s classic places to watch the sun sink behind the waves and the lights flicker on in town above.