Carmel River State Beach
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Carmel River State Beach sits at the mouth of the Carmel River just south of town, a quieter, more open alternative to the busier Carmel City Beach closer to the galleries and shops. A lagoon behind the beach draws real birdlife alongside the usual beach crowd.
The river mouth and lagoon give it real ecological variety beyond just another sandy stretch, genuinely quieter than the more famous beach in town.
How we score beachesCome here instead of Carmel City Beach if you want more space and fewer people, the river mouth setting gives it a genuinely different, wilder feel.
Free parking is available at the beach.
Stairs and a path lead from parking down to the beach.
Dogs are welcome; check posted signage for specific leash rules.
Fog is common most mornings year round, typical of the Monterey Peninsula.
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