Rocky Creek Bridge Beach
Photo Gallery
About Rocky Creek Bridge Beach in Carmel, California
Rocky Creek Beach is directly below Rocky Creek Bridge along a steep section of Highway 1 south of Carmel and north of Big Sur. The creek flows down through Las Piedras Canyon and hits the ocean at a small sandy beach.
This is a stunning spot, but unfortunately the land below the bridge is private property and beach access is nearly impossible. The road access north of the bridge is clearly signed “Keep Out” so don’t venture down that path. It appears as though people have hiked down somehow from near the bridge, but it doesn’t look safe to reach the beach so don’t risk life and limb trying.
Rocky Creek Bridge, like its better-known brother Bixby Bridge to the south, was completed and opened in 1932. This concrete arched bridge can be photographed from the parking lot on the north side or from a distance at a pullout spot along Highway 1 called Notleys Landing Vistapoint. An even better distant viewpoint is at the old Rocky Point Restaurant property. The restaurant at 36700 CA-1, Monterey, CA 93940 has closed down, but the current owner (the “Octopus Billionaire”) hopes to reopen the property to the public in the near future.
The wide sandy beach at Garrapata State Park is nearby and has a safe easy access.
- Address
- 38525 Cabrillo Hwy
Carmel, CA 93923 - Owner
- Private Land Owner
- Fees
- Free parking next to bridge
- Activities
- Photography, Scenic Driving
- Amenities
- Historic Bridge, No Facilities
- Links
- Tide Chart Water Temps
59°FNearby Beaches
Bixby Creek Bridge Beach
0.5 miles away
The land behind Bixby Bridge south of Carmel is private property and the beach below is inaccessible due to...
Garrapata Beach at Garrapata State Park
2.6 miles away
Garrapata Beach at Garrapata State Park is located along the northern Big Sur coastline about ten miles south of...
Little Sur River Beach
2.8 miles away
Little Sur River Beach is a picturesque beach on the rugged coast between Big Sur and Carmel-by-the-Sea. This is...
Nearby Attractions
Nearby Lodging
Tickle Pink Inn
7.5 miles away
The stunning Tickle Pink Inn supplies nearly three-dozen luxury guestrooms and suites, surrounded by breathtaking scenery overlooking the coastline...
Hyatt Carmel Highlands
7.5 miles away
Set upon a stunning cliff overlooking the Big Sur coastline, Hyatt Carmel Highlands enjoys a century of history near...
Related Articles
Reviews
Rocky Creek Bridge is the first bridge you’ll come up on when driving down the coast (north to south). Many people stop here thinking that it’s Bixby Creek Bridge, but it’s actually just a smaller version. Don’t venture down the path as that’s private property and it’s not where you want to be when the tide comes up. Keep driving a minute down the road to find the more impressive and bigger Bixby Creek Bridge!
Can’t get to the beach. The part below high tide is public but you can’t get there. Currently there’s a Big Sur closure as the cliff just south of the bridge fell into the ocean and took a chunk of Highway 1 too so it’s a complete lost cause at the moment.
https://www.readymontereycounty.org/emergency/rocky-creek-slide
