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.

Our visit was a good experience. We parked super far though because we didn't want to risk not…read morehaving a space down at the beach lot but it turned out there were plenty of spaces there. Anyway, scenic walk allowed us to tour the shops there. The steep walk back up to our car was challenging though so a great workout. Aside from people letting their dogs run around unleashed, it was a pleasant time.

The views were stunning! It's one of the prettiest spots along the coast. The Allan Memorial Grove…read moreand Sea Lion Point were easy to navigate. I also liked that the trails loop back around to the parking area, so it was easy to explore without worrying about getting lost. The trails can take anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes depending on how much you stop to take in the views. Parking is limited, so get there early. Also bring a jacket because it gets windy and cold. They have three portable bathrooms and permanent bathrooms on site.

This is one of the most gorgeous state parks in California!! I've been wanting to visit for years…read moreand we finally made it here this past weekend. We were staying in Monterey, so it was about a 25 min drive to get there, we arrived before 11am. We parked before the park entrance along Highway 1 where there were NO signs saying "No parking at any time" THIS IS IMPORTANT because as we were walking towards the entrance, there was a parking enforcement officer giving tickets to all the other cars parked where the signs were clearly posted closer to the entrance. So make sure you pay attention! There is parking inside the park too for only $10. Once inside there were park rangers helping you with questions and guiding you on deciding which trails to go on, which was very nice and convenient! We took a picture of the map and choose to do the Cypress Grove, and the Sea Lion Point Trails. We only had about 3 hrs to hang out at the park, so those two were perfect easy hikes and roughly about 2.5 miles if you do both loops. We got spectacular views everywhere, you could hear the Sea Lions and see so many beautiful birds flying around. Wish we would've brought binoculars, so bring some with you if you remember. We can't wait to come back another time and do a full day of hiking because there are so many other trails! The park and restrooms were clean and well kept too, it's definitely a must visit once in your lifetime at least!!

Maybe folks are trying to keep this place a secret, but this place is quiet and beautiful. A little…read moreslice of heaven here!

It is Pebble Beach - enough said right there. The location is perfect, the grounds are immaculate…read moreand planning a golf outing and stay soon.

Both breathtakingly beautiful and serene, this stretch of natural beauty can only be accessed via…read morethe 17-mile drive. There are 17 marked stops along this route, each with its own unique history and memorable view. The beach areas are gorgeous, albeit rather cold. And the crystal blue waters remind me of Hawaii; just without the tropical weather to go with. Much of the waters along this coast are in a protection zone, and large sections are designated as marine preserves. Although we were not so lucky in our timing, if you visit during the right times of the year, there are supposedly a plethora of marine wildlife to observe including seals, sealions, otters, dolphins and whales. At the end of this drive, we found ourselves at the famous Pebble Beach Resort. Here you can dine, shop, or even play on the world-renowned golf course that plays host to the PGA Tours, as well as other professional golf tournaments.

A short hike that is about 2 miles round trip along the coast line. I call it a "hike" but it's…read moremore like a walk. Flat and on a dedicated path that is very easy. You also walk by some ocean front houses. The views were spectacular and it was very sparse as far as other "hikers" on a January weekday. There is a spot at the end of the trail where the Carmel River meets the Ocean.

Easter sunday 2025, we visited carmel beach carmel, calif…read more it was the most beautiful drive one way along the ocean the white sands the peaceful energy.. i would highly recommend visiting carmel for the ocean views.. there is parking near the entrance and restrooms a bit crowded weekends .. but the drive along to the other end is amazing also available parking at the end it's slower driving one way only and able to enjoy the views . I have many memories as a young teen going to carmel and i'm glad we chose carmel for easter sunday was an amazing peaceful drive. pet friendly place as well. highly recommend this beach as the sand seems softer and looks easier for lounging on a sunny day i've included photos videos to enjoy

Small park with ample parking around it A couple of…read moreseats/benches around it Central location to walk around

This was a petite park in the downtown Carmel area, and it was pretty lovely. I'm glad that they…read morehave restrooms there, and they were pretty clean. We walked our doggie there after brunch.

Nice quiet beach in the Carmel Highlands. We didn't feel like heading downtown and Point Lovos was…read moreway too crowded. I spent Thanksgiving day here for a bit reading a book. It was relaxing. The sand is sandy (lol) with some pebbles, so not too smooth or powdery, but it's a beach, haha! Parking is in the shoulder so be careful getting in and out of your vehicle. Swim at your own risk. I felt safe here as there were handfuls of folks passing through.

Monastery Beach is a pristine beach, with soft sand, an active lifeguard and beautiful waves…read more Getting to the beach is very easy as it is right off of the highway. One thing to keep in mind is the parking ! There are possibly 15-20 parking spots, which I'm sure likely fill up very quickly on busy days.

First timer Nice hike…read moreCame late but still nice walk Went the back way so no parking Parked at the streets

Tasting this park kind of depends on what you're looking for. If you're looking for a leisurely…read morestroll in the morning that takes maybe 15 to 20 minutes and it's not very hilly then this is your place and you're eating it high. If you're looking for something a little more rigorous with hills sand stuff to look at then it's more average. I guess the cool part is it's in the middle of residential area. The path is not paved, but it's groomed with rocks and bark so it's a pretty easy walk. The kind of "hike" you can stroll with a cup of coffee.

Something we thought that would be a quick "outdoor walk" turned into an hour stay at the beach. It…read morewas quite empty, which was a plus, and the sun was shining with a slight ocean breeze. Being able to walk along the coast and soaking in the sun rays and enjoying the sounds of the waves crashing is very, very soothing. You can walk along the beach or walk on a trail or go up a small hill to overlook the ocean!

Location: corner of Ribera Rd and Cuesta Way…read more Parking : enough for three cars. Street parking allowed It's inside the residential area therefore not as crowded/popular as the nearby Carmel Beach. Nicely maintained wide trails wide enough for wheelchair however unfortunately not a ADA compliant, only a staircase to go down /up. Full of wildflowers during spring time and since it's adjacent to the Bird Sanctuary, you can spot the variety shore birds . The trail leads to the Carmel Beach to north and the monastery beach to south.

Had been meaning to check out this park for a long time, but usually got pulled away to Point…read moreLobos. A few weekends ago we were down in Carmel for the long weekend with some friends and got a later start to the morning. Anticipating that Point Lobos would be super crowded, I picked out a few hikes at Garrapata State Park, just a few miles south. We parked near the Soberanes Canyon trailhead and hiked the Soberanes Point trail, first going north, then doubling back to take the loop around (and up) Whale Peak. I was worried about leading a group of 20 astray (with kids who had different tolerance levels for hikes), but my fears were immediately put to ease by the gorgeous oceanside views, full of greenery, wildflowers, and the powerful ocean waves hitting the rocks below. We even spotted a sea otter in the surf. Got some nice photos and everyone made it back. At this point our group split up. A few of us went down to Calla Lily Valley. The lilies were beautiful (though I heard they were cut down recently), but there were a ton of people, and the trail was quite muddy. The beach nearby was really nice - the kids spent some time playing there. Parking immediately near the valley is tight but there is parking at this beach and trails to both the beach and the valley from there. Will definitely be back, love that there's an alternative to Point Lobos so close by.

My husband and I stopped here for the first time before hitting up Big Sur and I'm glad that we…read moredid. Parking is off the side of the road and there's easy trails to explore and just enjoy the scenic highway 1 coastline. Awesome place to take in the ocean air/breeze, great spot to take pictures, and just enjoy the ocean views!