There are pros and cons to every place you might visit, and this beach is no different. I will…read morepreface mine with this: YES, as other reviews mention, there are homeless people who set up near and on this beach. NONE of them are mugging you, though. They want to be left alone and they leave you alone, IF you pay them no attention. Go about your day! Enjoy your stay! Second, yes, dead animals wash up on this beach. Guess what! They do that on ALL beaches worldwide. It's not unique to this one. That being said, this is one of my absolute favorite beaches in the area, for many reasons. Parking is easy and can be free. While there is a pay parking lot attached to this beach for easy access to it, we never use it. We use either the lot across the street, which offers 2-hour parking until 6pm and no limit on time until 10pm, or we go further down the street beside Dennis The Menace Park to park on the street, where it's unlimited parking all day long. It depends on when we arrive and how long we'll be there. Want to go swimming? Teaching your littlest ones about the beach and how to stay safe in the surf? THIS is the beach for it! There aren't exactly waves here. Well, there are, but they're so tiny they can hardly be called waves. They're swells that roll up onto the beach in cute little miniature "waves" and the return back to the ocean is very mild. It's the perfect place to introduce your small children to the ocean, perfect place to take people who aren't strong swimmers, perfect place for you to get in a little ocean swimming time in calm waters. You won't have to worry about boats very close to shore, as they don't come really close, won't have to worry about strong rip tides that may pull you or your child out to sea, you just have to worry about them gulping down too much salt water. ***That's not to say you should be complacent when taking your children here, but that you can be a little more relaxed knowing that it's more gentle a beach than some others.*** If you arrive at the right time of day (NO, I'm not telling you when! Sorry, but I won't give up my 'combing secrets that easily!!), you can find a good amount of shells and it IS legal to pick them up on this beach, as it is NOT a state beach. I've found sand dollars, mussel and clam shells, as well as turbans, oyster, scallop (very small ones...), and more types of shells. You might even find abalone shells if you arrive after a storm! You just have to know what to look for and be there at the right time of day - otherwise they'll already be picked over and/or pulled back out to sea. You'll also find hag stones on this beach. Hag stones are rocks that have been tumbled by water in such a way that the water bores a hole into the stone. These are plentiful along this beach and I sometimes take one if it catches my eye. They're good for hanging near your door to keep unwanted visitors away! Or just to decorate, who knows if that actually works ;) The sand here is an extremely fine type and it WILL get into everything. It sticks to your toes even well after it's dried, but it's not the type of sand that hurts you when it's stuck to your feet, so just brush it off as best you can and go about your day. :) There are bathroom facilities all around this beach. If you don't mind buying yourself something to drink there's McDonald's across the street and those will be very clean. If you don't mind slightly less than immaculate bathrooms, there's also a bathroom at the Dennis The Menace Park between the two landmark buildings at the park parking lot. Another public bathroom is at the kayak place and still more bathrooms are attached to the building across the walkway from the kayak place, and one more is at the wharf. This beach is dog-friendly, just please keep Fido on a leash. So many people bring their dogs here off-leash and it's just not the place for it. Also please be sure to clean up after your pooch. Nobody likes to step in dog doody; we *really* don't like it if it's buried in the sand so that we couldn't see it before it squished between our toes. In all, this is an awesome beach that I hate to leave a good review for because it might just attract more people to it than I care to see - LOL!! - but it is what it is and I'll brag on my favorite beach of the area any day of the week!

This is an excellent beach for sitting and relaxing. Very calm water for playing in the surf line…read more I tried scuba diving here but the water is very shallow for a long way out so was not good for diving Good place for wake boarding. Nice plac to walk along the wharf and watch all the fishermen Trying to catch something. And if they dont catch anything there is a fresh fish market on the wharf. Also good restaurants here. A wonderful place just to enjoy the beach and to wade in the cold water.

One of our extended families favorite beaches. We usually all meet up there a few times a year. We…read morecan all bring our dogs (leashes required) It is an extremely quiet and uncrowded beach. Hardly ever any crowds. Possibly the reason it is so quiet could be the hike to get to the beach... The walk is long slogging through the sand on the trail. The dunes are roped off to preserve them (please follow the rules). Once you make it to the beautiful beach you are rewarded with the peaceful sound of the waves and birds. Families building sandcastles and dipping their toes in the ocean. If you're lucky it will be hot enough for a quick dip! The waters are calm, the sand is clean and the sunsets magical... Whales have been sighted at almost every visit. They are far out so unless they breach you're pretty much just getting a glimpse of their spouts spraying. A few amazing times tails slapping! Maybe if you have binoculars you can see better! Please keep it clean and pack out whatever you bring, it's a nature preserve and no garbage cans on the beach. Take only memories leave only footprints!

Lovely beach to visit, although parking is EXTREMELY limited. But if you're patient you'll…read moreeventually get a space. Or you could park out at the beginning of the entrance and walk in. Not too crowded as well.

Magical space next to Pebble Beach where land meets the sea. A boardwalk allow you to walk between…read morethe spaces. Great place for sunsets and watching the waves crash into the rocks.

So, so pretty. My girls loved exploring the tide pools and finding baby hermit crabs. It's…read moredefinitely NOT a swimming or sand beach, but it's a great place to relax and enjoy nature.

$10 entrance fee to relax on the beach with a clean bathroom. Bring blankets, chairs, and cooler to…read morespread out, this beach is not crowded. We listened to the quiet of the ocean waves and enjoyed lunch and drinks.

Really great beach. Fee is $10 per car and dogs are allowed, on leash and please pick up poop! It's…read morea nice long stretch of beach that has a lifeguard tower, but wasn't managed while we visited during the week. We were able to see whales and dolphins on our visit. The parking lot sits on top of cliff with stairs that walk down to the beach. Depending on your physical abilities this can be deficient for some, however not impossible. There are also bathrooms in the parking area. Great views from parking lot!

Containing one of North America's largest deep-water canyons, this breathtakingly beautiful,…read moreprotected area of California's central coast is home to many marine mammals including: sea otters, harbor seals, and bottlenose dolphins. As well as a breeding site for elephant seals and a migratory path for gray and humpback whales. Although commercial fishing and recreational activities such as diving, kayaking, boating, and surfing are allowed, activities that could harm the sanctuary's ecosystem health, such as seafloor drilling, ocean dumping, or seabed mining are strictly prohibited. It's always such a visual treat driving through this coastline. And the clear, blue waters a testament to how humans and nature can coexist with proper education, respect, and legal regulations.

We had time to explore and grab some food. Saw some sea lions, the weather was great! We hit the…read moreaquarium and explored the city. We also treated ourselves to Ghirardelli - their ice cream and chocolate shop was amazing. The staff were super helpful picking out the best flavors, and we got some different chocolates and hot chocolate too.

Known for its white sand, beautiful waters, and an abundance of beach stones that people often like…read moreto stack here, Spanish Bay is a serene, albeit a bit windy and cold beach that backs up into the Pebble Beach golf course. The bay derived its name from Spanish Explorers camped out here in 1769 who were attempting to find Monterey Bay. You can access Spanish Bay beach through several access points, one of which is Sunset Drive in Pacific Grove. This allows you to avoid needing to pay a toll to go through the 17-mile drive. We however arrived during our tour of the 17-mile drive, stop #3. The parking lot is spacious and has ample spaces available for parking. As mentioned, it is windy here so it's recommended that you layer up. Due to its colder climate, we didn't see anyone here with beach towels enjoying the sand. Surfers apparently love the waters here due to the powerful waves, but it is not recommended for swimming due to the cold temperatures and strong rip currents.

Though this is #3 of #17 stops on the 17 Mile Drive, it's where most people instinctually stop for…read morea visit. This beautiful beach is named for the Gaspar de Portola and his Spanish explorer crew, who were not happy campers, temporarily lodging here in 1769 as they took a year to find Monterey Bay because the men would not ask for directions. Though the sand is white and soft, my wife stepped on glass. Stupid campers. Though this is "the beach", it's chilly even on the hottest day (runs up to 15 degrees cooler than Monterey), and the water is perfect for polar bears. The fun is in stacking the big rocks, though nature purists believe that is assault.

it's a very secluded beach. Richard gave some great directions. I prefer starting from Fort Ord…read morebeach parking and walking north as he described. I agree after the big drainage pipe across from the remains of an old support structure in the water (it looks like big rocks in the surf) the people disappear. As Richard said from there you are pretty well on your own. I took a 3 mile nude walk from that point north and back and never saw another person except some para gliders over head. great spot to try with a shy first timer as there is no one around. I like a some others to share the clothes free experience with. so if you want to be more social there is north baker beach, bonnie dune, grey whale cove, and red rocks.

Indian Head Beach is a great place to go shed your clothes and get some air on your body and sun on…read moreyour skin! As someone who is a fan of getting naked at every opportunity...without offending others...this place is worth the trip. It's a clean and seldom frequented beach, making it perfect for clothing optional folks to enjoy themselves! Getting here does require a bit of a walk...so remember to pack water for both the hike in, while you're relaxing...and for the hike out. Plus snacks are always a good idea....just please remember to take your trash out with you. You can reach Indian Head Beach by following the directions below... http://www.bayareanaturists.org/ftord.html Or you can go to the Shopping Center off Highway 1 in Seaside off Imjin parkway where Target and Kohls is located and go from there to the Fort Ord Dunes parking lot. https://goo.gl/maps/M7kbnRbCefq Once parked at the Ford Ord Dunes parking lot...walk South and follow the easily defined access path to the beach. Once on the beach, turn North...and walk about a good mile...if you look at the cliff face from time to time, as you walk, you'll see a large drainage pipe sticking out of the cliff...once North of that pipe, it's generally OK to get naked. Actually, If nobody is on the beach, when I get off the path...I'll strip down there and make the walk. Anyway, Indian Head beach is almost dead in the middle between Marina State Beach and Fort Ord Dunes State Park. Because of the walk to reach it...generally, not to many people venture very far from either area...and normally, aside from a few locals who go on long walks...or the occasional jogger...you will have the Indian Head section of the beach to yourself. I'm hoping more naturists/nudists and clothing optional fans begin to frequent here...again...as they have in the past. Just remember to be respectful...because even though Indian Head beach is a traditionally nude beach...if enough complaints begin to occur...the Rangers that rarely patrol the beach and generally don't care about nude beach goers...could start patrolling more and insisting on covering up. Most of the times I've been here...the very few people that pass by people don't seem to care about my lack of clothes...or give a simple curiosity induced glance and sometimes a nervous albeit friendly smile and or wave. The other nice thing about this section of beach IS the fact it's only reachable from the two State parks...this gives you about 3/4 of a mile visibility to see people approaching a long ways off...and if you felt inclined, the opportunity to cover up. Though, again, I've never felt the need to do so...but often will move toward the cliff face to keep some distance between those passing by on the beach. Again, just trying to be respectful of others choice to wear clothes and not to have to see me naked. Last, there are no facilities here...so keep that in mind. Bring a plastic bag or two to deal with any restroom related issue that may occur...solid waste should be packed out and disposed of rather than leaving it behind on the beach.

Stop #4 of the 17-mile drive. This picturesque location offers stunning views of restless waters…read moreamidst rugged rocks peeking out from the ocean. This is one of the roughest parts of the water along this coastline, and is known to be the resting place of several ships that crashed along these shores. A testament to the power of mother nature, and a captivating memory against the backdrop of turbulent seas. There are some limited parking spots available here along the turn-in. Although we've seen some people park along the road as well and simply walk over.

Stop 4 on the 17 mile drive, and this was my favorite stop on our drive. Aptly named the Restless…read moreSea, this was probably the most active we saw the ocean in all the stops. The waves seemed to be pounding in from both sides is an apparent show of chaos. That being said, it was still somehow calming and peaceful here - standing at the edge and just watching the ocean. There was a light breeze, and I spent more time here than I intended to. So beautiful. Definitely plan to stop here while exploring Pebble Beach. It will easily become one of your favorite stops on the journey.