01
Closest ocean escape
Marina State Beach
Marina Coastline • Windy Dune Beach • Closest Full Beach Day From Soledad
A broad, bluff-backed beach with big views, steady wind, and easy access straight off Highway 1.
If you’re leaving Soledad and want your toes in the sand as quickly as possible, Marina State Beach is usually the first true ocean stop. Expect cool temps, stiff breezes, and dramatic dunes more than calm swimming. It’s a go-to for kite flyers, hang gliders, and anyone who likes long, bracing walks along the waterline.
02
Best classic beach day
Del Monte Beach
Monterey Waterfront • Relaxed In-Town Strand • Best For Low-Key Afternoons
A mellow local favorite with broad sand, smaller waves than the open coast, and easy access to Monterey’s amenities.
Tucked just east of the busier tourist waterfront, Del Monte Beach feels like the neighborhood beach Monterey locals actually use. There’s room to spread out, and the surf is usually more forgiving than at the windier state beaches up the coast. It’s an easy choice if you want to pair beach time with a meal or errands in town before heading back to Soledad.
03
Most scenic shoreline
Carmel Beach
Carmel-By-The-Sea • Postcard-Perfect White-Sand Beach • Top Pick For Scenery
A wide sweep of white sand framed by cypress trees and golf-course cliffs, made for long walks and dramatic sunsets.
Carmel Beach is the one you bring out-of-town visitors to when you want to show off the Central Coast. The sand is unusually soft and light, with a classic view down to Pebble Beach and the open Pacific. It can be busy on weekends, but an early start from Soledad usually lands you a parking spot and a quieter stretch of shoreline.
04
Best sheltered cove
Lovers Point Beach
Pacific Grove Shoreline • Sheltered Cove With Tide Pools • Great For Families And Beginners
A compact sandy cove protected from the worst of the swell, with mellow water and rocky corners to explore.
On windy days when the open beaches feel wild, Lovers Point often stays comparatively calm. The small, enclosed bay can be a friendlier place for cautious waders, kayakers, and first-time paddleboarders. Add in easy picnic spots and nearby coffee options, and it makes a tidy, manageable day trip for families coming over from the valley.
05
Quietest coastal stretch
Salinas River State Beach
Near Moss Landing • Wild, Uncrowded Shoreline • Best For Long Walks And Wildlife
A long, often nearly empty strand where dunes, birds, and crashing surf take center stage.
If you prefer solitude to boardwalks and snack bars, Salinas River State Beach is worth the extra few minutes of driving. The beach runs for miles, with nesting shorebirds, driftwood, and a strong sense of being out on the edge of the valley. It’s typically too rough for casual swimming, but ideal for beachcombing, photography, and clearing your head before the drive back to Soledad.