Carmel River State Beach
Carmel River State Beach
4.5
About
The water is brisk and the surf is hazardous, but the amazing views from the shore will draw you like a magnet to these striking white sand beaches for a leisurely stroll or picnic.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,471 reviews
Excellent
1,872
Very good
518
Average
62
Poor
13
Terrible
6
D2099BFdavidr
Grande Prairie, Canada27 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
On our recent one-night stay in Carmel by the Sea, we discovered this beach and adjacent wetland which has been rehabilitated after long years of encroaching development. In a short walkabout of about 1.5 hours I discovered 22 bird species, including a lone Brant Goose, a diminutive goose which breeds on the Arctic tundra and migrates along the Pacific coast in winter. I would have loved to spend more time here, but time did not permit. Enjoy this lovely site at your leisure!
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaskel08
California374 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
Beautiful white sand beach to enjoy the ocean. To the north, rocks, which allow for some beautiful views, rock climbing, and tidepools. To the south, the Carmel River empties into the Pacific Ocean. There’s more to this beach than ocean and sand. It’s also located adjacent to the Carmel River Lagoon and Wetland Nature Reserve. That means you can explore some unique and picturesque wildlands and view plenty of wild birds and other creatures.
From the beach, to the south, you a beautiful view of Point Lobos!
Public bathrooms are present, as well as a lifeguard station. It’s also a nice place to go for a walk or watch the sunset. The location is nice – not far from the town center. It’s also located along the end of Scenic Road. So, it you want a break from the beach, it would also be fun to take a stroll north on Scenic Road as it overlooks the coastline.
As a result, this all makes for a unique beach experience.
Negatives:
Limited parking. Parking is very very very limited. You’ll likely end up parking in the limited spaces in the adjoining neighborhoods……. which means, expect to a pretty good walk.
Size. From the Carmel River, on the south, to the rocks, on the north, the beach is no long.
Lifeguard station. It is a positive but it wasn’t manned at the time we were there.
Water temp. It’s cold, but that is expected for all beaches north of Santa Barbara.
From the beach, to the south, you a beautiful view of Point Lobos!
Public bathrooms are present, as well as a lifeguard station. It’s also a nice place to go for a walk or watch the sunset. The location is nice – not far from the town center. It’s also located along the end of Scenic Road. So, it you want a break from the beach, it would also be fun to take a stroll north on Scenic Road as it overlooks the coastline.
As a result, this all makes for a unique beach experience.
Negatives:
Limited parking. Parking is very very very limited. You’ll likely end up parking in the limited spaces in the adjoining neighborhoods……. which means, expect to a pretty good walk.
Size. From the Carmel River, on the south, to the rocks, on the north, the beach is no long.
Lifeguard station. It is a positive but it wasn’t manned at the time we were there.
Water temp. It’s cold, but that is expected for all beaches north of Santa Barbara.
Written January 5, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WillieMacfan
Healdsburg, CA965 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Carmel River Beach is located where the Carmel River enters the Pacific Ocean so it offers some variety to other beaches in the area. The fresh water area allows protected wading for kids. There is a large expanse of sand allowing any number of beach activities
Written May 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bobrchapman
Bristol, UK17 contributions
Dec 2019
Great place. Well worth the visit. Went with my family at Christmas. Highly recommended, Many Great restaurants near by. The Fish and Chips Restaurant was well worth a visit, Sorry forgot the name of it.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy E
Sarasota, FL84 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
Great beach to see sea life in the distance. Quite rough seas on some days though. Smaller beach than I'm used to in Florida, but great view of cliffs, homes, and beauty
Written March 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bart C
Foster City, CA485 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
Broad sandy beach overlooking the Point Lobos Peninsula and right at the edge of the housing sections of Carmel. Not enough parking when busy, however. There was a lifeguard station and bathrooms, yet I don't know when they actually have a lifeguard.
Written May 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheLeongOhana
United States7,711 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
This was an expansive and fine sandy beach we discovered at the end of the Scenic Road drive. A small parking lot and restrooms were available. No lifeguard station anywhere.
It was a good break to get out and stretch our legs after the short drive. Views of the Pacific Ocean on one side, Carmel homes and the wetlands at the mouth of the Carmel River on the other. The sand was quite cold but soft to walk on. Waves did have a tendency to break over the top of the beach and roll towards the mouth of the river so being here at high tide meant making sure we sat down in the right spot. It was a lesson learned after the first wave swamped our poor dog.
What stood out the most was the huge flocks of birds (many varieties) that were spread out on the beach and in the wetlands. When disturbed they blanketed the sky and we had to walk away to avoid any potential bird droppings.
If it wasn’t so cold then we would have enjoyed visiting longer.
It was a good break to get out and stretch our legs after the short drive. Views of the Pacific Ocean on one side, Carmel homes and the wetlands at the mouth of the Carmel River on the other. The sand was quite cold but soft to walk on. Waves did have a tendency to break over the top of the beach and roll towards the mouth of the river so being here at high tide meant making sure we sat down in the right spot. It was a lesson learned after the first wave swamped our poor dog.
What stood out the most was the huge flocks of birds (many varieties) that were spread out on the beach and in the wetlands. When disturbed they blanketed the sky and we had to walk away to avoid any potential bird droppings.
If it wasn’t so cold then we would have enjoyed visiting longer.
Written January 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
California girl
Westlake Village, CA2 contributions
Aug 2019
In August of 2019, my friend and I spent time in Carmel and were drawn to Carmel River Beach by its beauty and the fact that it had significantly fewer people than the main beach.
The day we were there was gloriously warm, enough so that I went in the water for a brief swim. I grew up in California, swimming in the ocean. The waves were small and the water looked calm.
As I came to shore, I was pulled down by the undertow, then pulled out past the drop off near the shoreline. Unable to touch bottom or break the surface of the water, I drowned. My friend saw me, floating face down in the water and summoned help.
I was pulled from the water by two men, no pulse, full cardiac and pulmonary arrest. Fortunately, a nurse was on the beach that day. She performed CPR until the paramedics arrived. I came to on the beach, with the paramedics working on me.
I spent 4 days in the hospital, the first two in the ICU. Unfortunately on Christmas Eve 2019, a man trying to get his daughter out of the water drowned and did not survive.
I was incredibly lucky to have been successfully resuscitated and am still amazed that I survived.
Community Hospital of Monterey County gave me phenomenal care. I cannot say enough about the doctors and staff and the excellent care I received.
Carmel is one of the most beautiful, charming towns you will ever visit. I look forward to returning sometime. When you go, please enjoy this beautiful beach, but beware of the treacherous conditions in the water.
The day we were there was gloriously warm, enough so that I went in the water for a brief swim. I grew up in California, swimming in the ocean. The waves were small and the water looked calm.
As I came to shore, I was pulled down by the undertow, then pulled out past the drop off near the shoreline. Unable to touch bottom or break the surface of the water, I drowned. My friend saw me, floating face down in the water and summoned help.
I was pulled from the water by two men, no pulse, full cardiac and pulmonary arrest. Fortunately, a nurse was on the beach that day. She performed CPR until the paramedics arrived. I came to on the beach, with the paramedics working on me.
I spent 4 days in the hospital, the first two in the ICU. Unfortunately on Christmas Eve 2019, a man trying to get his daughter out of the water drowned and did not survive.
I was incredibly lucky to have been successfully resuscitated and am still amazed that I survived.
Community Hospital of Monterey County gave me phenomenal care. I cannot say enough about the doctors and staff and the excellent care I received.
Carmel is one of the most beautiful, charming towns you will ever visit. I look forward to returning sometime. When you go, please enjoy this beautiful beach, but beware of the treacherous conditions in the water.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NYU62
Tucson, AZ18,557 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
We walked down the hill from our hotel, and were instantly mesmerized. What an incredible view! It was close to sunset, and there were many people in the area, most of them snapping photos. The parking lot and side streets were packed with cars, so we were so happy that we had walked. (Although, going back uphill was not that easy.)
You can either go on the beach, or there is a wooden walkway on the right side. This leads to a small platform, with some seating. Surprisingly, not that many people were on the platform, so we were not cramped there, and had a gorgeous breathtaking view of the sun sinking into the ocean.
It's worth going out of your way to see such beauty.
You can either go on the beach, or there is a wooden walkway on the right side. This leads to a small platform, with some seating. Surprisingly, not that many people were on the platform, so we were not cramped there, and had a gorgeous breathtaking view of the sun sinking into the ocean.
It's worth going out of your way to see such beauty.
Written May 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tyler N
12 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
It is a beautiful beach. 5 stars due to its beauty. It is not a swimming beach. It is very dangerous because of the rip tides. Do an internet search of the beach drownings and near death experiences. You will find plenty. We visited with small children and were letting our girls get their feet wet (not swim). A local stopped by and polite warning. So, I decided to look into it more. Believe, you will find plenty of scary stories. This review is more trying to be educational than a review. It is an extraordinary beach!
Written June 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The beach slopes up to the sidewalk not requiring steps. Further down the sand hills are steeper
Written September 20, 2016
If you own a beach wheelchair, Carmel River State Beach at Scenic and Carmelo has flat access from the car to the sand. I do not know what rental services offers 'beach wheelchairs.' No rental services at all are near any of the Carmel beaches. Perhaps Ordway Pharmacy and equipment on Alvarado Street, Monterey might know a rental source for this piece.
Written July 10, 2017
Where are dog friendly places to eat that have entertainment?
Written May 18, 2016
We ate at a place called From Scratch and we loved it. Our dog was also treated very well. This is a very dog friendly town and most places allow dogs. They simply have outdoor seating to accommodate them. As has been stated already, I know Dametra also accepts them and this place was recommended to us but we have never dined there.
Written June 28, 2016
Are we able to BBQ there? Put up a volleyball net and have a bonfire?
Written April 26, 2016
Try 13th st beach.... that's where most of the beach fires and volley ball seems to occur.
Written September 19, 2016
Yes! I googled it. Closes 2:00 on Saturday. closed on Sunday.
Written September 13, 2015
RV camping ? and we have 2 small dogs 24 ft pull trailer where can we camp
Written June 29, 2015
Closer than Big Sur is Laguna Seca camping. Try it... 15 min from town.
Written September 19, 2016
Maybe from some homes near beach but take Ocean Ave only leads to Main beach area,.
Written February 25, 2015
You walk down the main street in Carmel, down Ocean Ave, and dead-end at the beach. There are bathrooms to the right and you literally step off the street/sidewalk onto the sand. Many side streets run parallel to Ocean Ave and also run straight to the beach. A nice sidewalk and walking area runs parallel to the beach area so you can take a lovely walk along the beach area or go to the oceans edge and walk a beautiful long walk along the waters edge.
Written February 25, 2015
hola! que playas es mejor? monterrey o carmel para ir en verano?
Written January 19, 2015
Yo visitĂ© Carmel en octubre, por lo que no pude estar tomando el sol en la playa, y tampoco se si en temporada alta hay mucha aglomeraciĂłn de gente. Pero sin duda, Carmel es muchĂsimo más bonito que Monterrey.
Written January 20, 2015
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