1. Perkins Park

    1. Perkins Park

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    Pacific Grove, CA

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    Perkins Park

    4.8 (15 reviews)

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    Joyce T.

    Beautiful park with lot of beautiful purple flowers. A pleasant walk along the beach.

    Robert S.

    Part of Shoreline Park, Perkins Park is the section of shoreline between Lovers Point and the Esplanade. It was named for local resident Hayes Perkins, who planted the first pink ice plant along this section of the waterfront. The park is well maintained and is landscaped with "magic carpet" ice plant and stone terrace walls. Walking trails in Perkins Park are heavily used. Visiting in the Spring is the best time to see all these beautiful flowers in bloom and to admire the colorful carpet of colors. The park is nearly a mile long and most of the bluff is covered in ice plants which bloom bright pink in spring. Walking trails with benches looking out to the ocean, meander along the bluff between the street (Ocean View Blvd) and the water. Along this route there is an amazing rock arch known as The Kissing Rock which looks like two faces kissing. Ocean View Boulevard also has a popular bike lane for those who want to bike around the peninsula.

    Henry L.

    Excellent place for a coastal hike as an extension of ones visit to Lovers Point. Best thing to do is find street parking just northwest of lovers point and start walking on the trail. During the spring season it can get a little crowded but still easy to navigate. There are several areas where you can scramble down to a small cliff or even to the beaches. If you're here in the spring, be sure to enjoy the "magic carpet," which is the nickname to the carpet of purple flowers that bloom here in the spring. Fine spot for family photos!

    Chan L.

    Sat 5 Aug about 11 am. I really enjoyed walking the trail along Ocean Ave, with easy free street parking, and to see plenty coastal lined benches often with shade from trees.

    David F.

    Perkins Park is not the type of park that would normally generate much excitement. A local skinny swath of a park, with a dirt trail, bordered on one side by a city street. Of course, what makes this park interesting is what borders it on the other side: a gorgeous stretch of Pacific Ocean. We stumbled onto this park accidentally, simply walking south from Lovers Point Park on an unnamed trail, and it leads into Perkins Park. In late May the walk was gorgeous, churning surf breaking over sculptured coastal rocks. Along the trail the ice plant was in bloom, a vibrant purple that lit up the park. This humble trail is a small part of the California Coastal Trail, an ambitious effort to build a trail from Oregon to Mexico. If you are alert, you can see its distinctive logo on a few trailside posts. There are some benches along the trail for resting and admiring the view. A small parking lot can be found on Ocean View Blvd, between Beach St and Shell Ave.

    Perkins Park
    Dong Wook C.

    This is one of the most scenic areas in the Central Coast. Unlike 17 Mile Drive, Perkins Park and all the other parks connected to it such as Lover's Point Park are free to the public. Parking can easily be found along the street. This area boasts some of the best photo opportunities of the Monterey coastline. You'll see lots of sea birds and the occasional sea lions resting on the rocks. The walking path along these parks take you as far along the coast as your feet are willing to travel and the seascape is absolutely stunning.

    Beautiful clear water.
    Elena K.

    Took a day trip out to Monterey on July 23rd, 2017 and it was such a beautiful day! The sun was shining beautifully over the city while we were shivering from the wind that was dancing through and around our bodies. It was such a lovely day. I couldn't get over how beautiful the waves shined and it's beautiful ombré waves that was washing back and fourth from my feet. I've never seen such clear water in entire life, until I came here. We rode our bicycle from Fisherman's Wharf up the coast but I couldn't help but stop at every bench to enjoy each spot. Lover's point was not that far from here, and it's just as beautiful! We saw a wedding ceremony going on this day. The Bride looked so lovely in her white dress and the Groom looked so in love with his Bride. I wish them a happy marriage! There's a bench you can relax on while looking out at the Ocean. You'll have to drive slowly or you'll miss the turn in. It wasn't far at all from the parking lot. Quick 1 minute (or less) walk. Definitely going back here.

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    1 year ago

    Beautiful area that is maintained by the locals with some assistance from the city; very peaceful place for a walk

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    Review Highlights - Perkins Park

    If you search for Lover's Point you might end up at the end of the area without the bloom.

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    Lovers Point Park

    Lovers Point Park

    4.6
    (333 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    This park is great for a first stop before heading out for an adventure or watching the sunset…read morewhile dining on some pizza from Gianni's. Lover's point offers plenty of opportunities for the kids to get worn out, like a public beachside swimming pool, beach volleyball, an actual beach area just inside the cove, and a grassy area for picnicking. even though this beach/park was packed, the vibe was still super chill and didn't feel overcrowded. This beach also offers some great opportunities for people to enjoy tide pools, watch wildlife, and take-in gorgeous views. There is a public bathroom here, but if you can avoid. Not the most clean.

    The waves were calm early in the day then began to rage as the day went on. Wind was low and the…read moresun began to shine bright, forcing the appearance of our tent. There were not many people out around 11a, as the day went on both sides of the beach filled quickly. There were three places on site to grab a bite to eat, caffeinate or cool down from - Creama (6:30a-2:30p), Lovers Point Beach Cafe (9a-4p) and Snack Shack (10-6). There was a clean, public restroom for men and women to the left of the cafe. Look for the yellow awnings and follow it to the black gates. Turn into that area and you will locate the restrooms. There is a volleyball court directly across from the beach, two sandy beach areas separated by a tall wall of rocks. The beach area furtherest from the parking lot had so much sea life to experience first hand - our daughter was amazed as were we. It was also quieter with fewer people using that side. There are 15 steps leading down to each beach area. The wildlife is everywhere and SO comfortable with people. A squirrel stood in front our daughter while she ate her cracker, a seagull stared at me while I opened a wrapper for our daughter. There was a parking lot that fits 20-30 cars and street parking. People were still arriving around 5p looking for parking in the lot unsuccessfully. I would definitely recommend arriving early to secure a parking spot and a preferred spot on the sand. Our daughter existed here for six hours and was still not ready to leave. She's a young one. There were lots of kids on the beach, most playing with each other and sharing buckets, shovels and seashells. We will definitely return before the summer is over. So breathtaking and fun for all ages to enjoy in and out of the water.

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    Lovers Point Park
    Lovers Point Park
    Lovers Point Park

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    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

    4.9
    (1.1k reviews)
    5.3 mi

    While visiting the Carmel/Monterey area a month ago we wanted to take in some of the local scenery…read more Point Lobos State Natural Reserve came highly recommended, and it did not disappoint Located just 10 minutes outside of Carmel, this incredibly picturesque seascape is a must see while visiting. There are multiple trails through the Point, and each of them showcase stunning views of the sea and saw well as flora and fauna It was barely raining while we were there and it never dampened our spirits. The trails got a little slick, but nothing too dangerous. In fact, this is more of a seaside walking path than a physical intensive hike We saw many seals and otters on our hike. There was also a rest stop that had park rangers and an interactive exhibit that was very cool. You could feel the skin of a seal, otter, and even the baleen from a whale Some tips: If you haven't explored Carmel or Monterey you are just a short drive away There are many coastal hikes and scenic points/beaches to explore. We also enjoyed a more physical hike at the Pinnacles, but that is an hour or so away Cheers!!

    Adj: beautiful, breathtaking natural reserve…read more Always a nice place to visit and "hike" (really just trail walking). I love coming here. It's so serene, scenic, natural, cool, and both the botanical plantlife as well as the animals (air, land, and ocean wildlife) you can find and view here are just so amazing. Being it's in the Monterey Bay, it's almost always cool when it's hot in the valley, so it's another great place to escape to. It's just a very nice and unique point in the bay and although you can spend the whole day here, or even several days, a couple of hours will also be very rewarding for a change of scenery for those of us who are urban dwellers who want to reconnect with God's natural wonders once in awhile. Overall, Point Lobos is an authentic, breathtaking, and calming place for those who enjoy seeing the ocean and taking in all the native plants, vegetations, and all the air, land, and sea creatures one can encounter or at least observe here.

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    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

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    Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
    Carmel Beach

    Carmel Beach

    4.7
    (675 reviews)
    5.4 mi

    Briefly stopped by the beach after having lunch in downtown Carmel. Now clearly understanding why…read morethe beach is loved so much. Carmel Beach is recognized as having the 'whitest' sand in the United States, and number 14 globally. This color comes from quartz deposits eroded by the waves. There is a parking lot at the north end of the beach on Ocean Avenue (maybe 30 spots or so), that is usually filled, meaning people are constantly idling in the parking lot, waiting for a spot. The parking lot is elevated from the beach, requiring carefully going down a sand bank. My wife and her mom decided to admire the view by sitting on a retaining wall at the top of the bern, while I happily went down to the shoreline to admire the views. The sand here is more golden than white. The road that runs parallel to the beach and boardwalk in Carmel is Scenic Road and we took it as we headed back to our cottage. There was street unmetered parking spots available and I noticed how much brighter/whiter the sand was in this area (a lot less crowded as well). Thinking back, wish we had stopped so I could have admired this part of the beach a bit more.

    I absolutely love Carmel Beach. Some of my happiest memories are here with my great-grandparents,…read moreBarbara and Montford Bryan, so coming back always feels special and nostalgic. Getting to bring my daughter now makes the experience even more meaningful. Watching her enjoy the same beautiful beach and scenery that meant so much to me growing up is such a cool and rewarding experience as a parent. Carmel Beach is just magical, with beautiful views, peaceful vibes, and the perfect place to slow down and make memories. We'll keep coming back every chance we get.

    Photos
    Dusk at 9pm during 2025's summer solstice
    Dusk at 9pm during 2025's summer solstice
    Pinch me. Weird weather we're having. 72F & Sunny
    Pinch me. Weird weather we're having. 72F & Sunny
    Engagement photos | 1985Luke Photography

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    Engagement photos | 1985Luke Photography
    Pacific Grove Shoreline Parkway Marine Refuge

    Pacific Grove Shoreline Parkway Marine Refuge

    4.8
    (18 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    Gorgeous. Easily accessible and kids love it. Keeps them occupied all day. At one end is a grill…read morefor hamburgers fries etc. Low tide has great tide pools

    When it comes to appreciating California's Pacific Ocean shorelines, Monterey has some of the best…read morevisual scenery in all it's glory! For ecologists, environmentalists, biologists and just plain nature lover's alike, you can't beat Pacific Grove for it's breath taking beauty, and an admiration for Mother Earth. Joe K and I were lucky enough to walk here from our hotel and hike along the state provided trails & paths. Many look-out points can be found along the way, with it's rocky shores or sandy beaches. Visitors can leisurely walk, bicycle, picnic, photograph, or visually take in all that nature puts on display. An abundant amount of wildlife can be seen with it's numerous species of birds, sea lions, sea otters, ground squirrels, tide pools, and even the seasonal Monarch butterflies! Among the points of interest along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail, (which are Marine Protected Areas), include but not limited to: Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University Marine Life Refuge, Monarch Grove Sanctuary, Lover's Point, Marine Life Sculptures by local artists, informative signage and paintings on the history of the area, public picnic park with children's pool, small beach, restaurant and plenty of sitting areas for relaxation. Just listening to the continuous crashing ocean waves can bring a sense of peace and serenity to anyone's life! Definitely a "must see" location!

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    Pacific Grove Shoreline Parkway Marine Refuge
    Pacific Grove Shoreline Parkway Marine Refuge
    Pacific Grove Shoreline Parkway Marine Refuge

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    Perkins Park - beaches - Updated July 2026

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