Based on
1,256 reviews
About Monterey State Beach
Monterey State Beach stretches along the downtown waterfront with calm, protected waters ideal for swimming and kayaking, backed by the iconic Monterey Bay Aquarium and historic Cannery Row. The beach offers excellent tidepooling opportunities along its rocky sections and clear views of the Santa Lucia Mountains across the bay. The atmosphere blends natural beauty with tourist infrastructure, making it accessible for families and visitors seeking both recreation and cultural attractions in one location.
Visitor Reviews
Monterey State Beach is a wide, scenic beach with beautiful ocean views, but unfortunately it is not always very well maintained. In some areas there is quite a bit of grass and seaweed, which slightly affects the impression. Still, it offers a nice place for walking, relaxing, and enjoying sunsets, even if it could be cleaner. Perfect for those who appreciate a more natural shoreline.
I had a very pleasant day visiting Monterey State Beach. The cool breeze made the weather perfect for spending time outdoors. We had a great time playing beach volleyball and even received some fun freebies during our visit, which added to the experience. One of the highlights was watching (and maybe even trying!) the paragliding happening right at the beachβit added a real sense of adventure to the atmosphere. Itβs also a fantastic spot for pet lovers. We saw lots of people walking their dogs and enjoying various activities with their pets.
I arrived when the sun was setting and it was the most beautiful thing ever! Parking is limited but I secured a spot at the front. There is a sign that states they donβt recommend swimming due to the waves, not sure since I didnβt swim. When it got dark a cop came to the parking lot and kicked everyone out so make sure to be gone by the time the sun sets lol.
Fun little walk to the beach, amazing sunset view and not super busy
Decent beach. Good for families with little kids as there is a stream running alongside that is shallow and fun for kids to play in. Waves break pretty hard in places with not as gradual a slope to play in the water. Plenty of beach for crowds. No restroom facilities. Limited parking (around 50 stalls). Overall fun place to play with nice views.
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