About Carmel Beach:
Carmel Beach is long, curving, sandy beach located at the end of Ocean Street just a few blocks from downtown Carmel. Its backdrop of sloping bluffs and cypress trees make it particularly scenic. You'll find lots of locals and tourists on the beach, some with their dogs, and it can get quite busy on summer weekends.
The beach extends for quite a distance from the main entrance on Ocean Avenue.
Carmel Beach Fees:
-
Entrance Fee: No
Parking Fee: No
Creature Comforts at Carmel Beach:
- Restrooms at the Ocean Avenue parking lot
Carmel Beach Activities:
- Sunbathing
- Walking
- Playing with the dog (they can run off-leash on this beach)
- Bonfires are allowed south of 10th Avenue, but they must be no bigger than 3 x 3 x 3 feet and must be out by 10:00 p.m.
- Alcohol is allowed only on the beach (not on nearby streets or in the parking lot)
Highs and Lows at Carmel Beach:
- This is such a nice beach that it's very popular and the limited parking spots fill up early on nice days
- It's easy to get to the beach from town because it's all downhill, but the walk back up can be tiring
- Stagnant water at the south end of the beach can make quite a stink
Beachgoer Beware:
Carmel beaches can be foggy, sometimes all day long.
Pay attention to the warning signs. Undertow and unpredictable currents can make getting in the water very dangerous.
How to Get to Carmel Beach:
Carmel Beach is at the end of Ocean Avenue west of CA Hwy 1. The main parking lot is at the end of the street, but you can also find parking spots along Scenic Rd.
