01
Best overall pick
Carmel Beach
Carmel-By-The-Sea Shoreline • Iconic Dog-Friendly City Beach • Best Overall Pick From Ridgemark
Powdery white sand, blue water, and a relaxed village backdrop make Carmel Beach the classic full-day escape from Ridgemark.
With bright white sand framed by cypress trees, Carmel Beach has the postcard Central Coast look without feeling overly built up. Dogs are welcome off leash in many areas, so it is a favorite for locals making a day of it. Plan to walk the scenic bluff path, linger for sunset, and then head a few blocks up into town for dinner before driving back inland.
02
Best for coastal walks
Asilomar State Beach
Pacific Grove Coast • Rugged Coastal Preserve With Tide Pools • Top Spot For Coastal Walks
Asilomar mixes rocky points, small sandy coves, and a network of boardwalks that are perfect when you want big ocean drama more than a lounge-in-the-sand day.
This stretch of protected shoreline feels wild but is still easy to navigate, with parking pullouts and boardwalks threading through dunes and ice plant. At low tide you can poke around the tide pools and watch waves crash over offshore rocks, then follow the trail for long views down the Monterey Peninsula. It is often breezy and cool, so pack a windbreaker rather than a beach umbrella.
03
Best family-friendly cove
Lovers Point Park and Beach
Monterey Peninsula Cove • Sheltered Cove With Grassy Park Setting • Great For Families And Kayaking
A small, protected sandy cove backed by lawns and picnic areas, Lovers Point is an easygoing spot for families and first-time paddlers.
Tucked into a curve of the shoreline, this beach is more protected than most Monterey Bay spots, so the water can be calmer on mild days. There is a park right behind the sand with trees, benches, and room to lay out a picnic between dips in the bay. Kayak and paddleboard rentals nearby make it a good launch point if you want to see otters and kelp forests from the water before heading back to Ridgemark.
04
Most relaxed in-town beach
Del Monte Beach
Central Monterey Beachfront • Laid-Back Local Surf And Stroll Beach • Ideal For Casual Beach Days
Quieter than the main tourist stretch, Del Monte Beach offers long walks, mellow surf watching, and easy access right from Monterey neighborhoods.
Hidden just behind a row of coastal homes and dunes, Del Monte feels like a neighborhood beach where locals come to walk dogs and watch the waves. The sand runs for a long distance in both directions, so even on busy weekends you can usually find space to spread out. It is a good call if you want a simple, no-fuss beach stop to pair with a lunch or coffee run in downtown Monterey.
05
Best big-sky shoreline
Sunset State Beach
Watsonville–La Selva Coast • Wide Dune-Backed State Beach • Best For Sunset Bonfires And Big Skies
Stretching out beneath tall dunes and open sky, Sunset State Beach lives up to its name with long views and plenty of room to spread out.
This is the kind of broad, open beach where you can bring a group, stake out a big patch of sand, and not feel crowded. Access roads wind through agricultural fields and dunes, so the drive in already feels like you are leaving town behind. Check current fire regulations, but when allowed, evening fires in designated areas make this a memorable spot to watch the sky turn orange before the night drive back to Ridgemark.