Carmel City Beach

Carmel Beach is a long, white sand beach that is hard to beat anywhere on the California Central Coast. It’s considered one of the best beaches in California.

This beach can be packed on sunny days, but this part of the coast is often cool and cloudy making it easy to find your own space on this large beach. Even on busy days, if you are willing to venture north or south from the main access at Ocean Avenue you’ll find quieter spaces. North leads to a beach below the Pebble Beach Golf Course and south leads to the rest of Carmel Beach in front of Carmel’s oceanfront homes. To see these stunning houses you can walk Carmel Scenic Pathway and drop down to the beach at any of nine access points along the way. A Frank Lloyd Wright designed home is on the point at the end of Carmel Beach (26336 Scenic Rd). Note that dogs are allowed off leash on the beach but must be leashed on the paths.

Near the parking lot there are several sand volleyball courts and an accessible boardwalk that leads to a platform overlooking the beach. This beach and the viewpoint are excellent places to watch a sunset.

The rules here are conducive to a festive or romantic evening as alcohol is allowed on the beach (21 and over of course). Unfortunately in 2023 the city decided to remove the fire rings and ban small wood bonfires on the beach, but propane-fueled stoves and fire devices are still allowed south of 10th Avenue.

Getting to City Beach is easy. Just turn west onto Ocean Ave from Highway 1 and pass through downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. There’s a parking lot with restrooms at the road’s end right next to the beach. On busy days you’ll have to search for a parking spot along Scenic Road or one of the other streets near the water. More restrooms are located at the south end of the beach at Santa Lucia Avenue.

Address

Scenic Rd & Ocean Ave
Carmel, CA 93923

Phone

831-620-2000

Other Names

Carmel Sunset Beach

Owner

City

Pet Details

Dogs allowed off leash on beach if under voice control (on leash everywhere else)

Fees

Free parking

Activities

Sunbathing, Beach Walking, Fishing, Surfing, Wildlife Watching, Volleyball

Amenities

White Sand, Restrooms, Volleyball Courts, Dunes, Paved Walkway, ADA Accessible Viewpoint

Links

Water Quality
Water Temps
Tide Chart
Carmel Surf Report