Carmel River State Beach

Carmel River State Beach runs about a mile along the south end of Carmel Bay, from the mouth of the Carmel River down to the rocky point that marks the northern boundary of Point Lobos State Marine Reserve. The day-use lot sits at the end of Carmelo Street off Scenic Road, with restrooms and running potable water on site.

At the north end of the beach, the Carmel River Lagoon and Wetlands Natural Preserve holds a seasonal freshwater lagoon whose margins draw waterfowl and shorebirds. The lagoon and its adjacent wetland are bird habitat rather than diveable water, separate from the ocean shoreline below. The shoreline south of the lagoon is a mile of open sand exposed to Carmel Bay swell, and the shorebreak there makes the beach a surf zone biome at the entry. Past the breakers, patches of bull kelp and scattered giant kelp root on rock and grow up to the surface, forming a kelp forest biome offshore. Along the north edge, wash rocks and reef structure between the kelp patches form a rocky reef biome distinct from the kelp-covered rock.

Scuba divers, freedivers, birders, and beach walkers all use the park. Severe rip currents make the shoreline look deceptively calm, and California State Parks directs entry to the far north or far south ends only, never the middle. The small lot fills on weekends. The beach lies inside the Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area, where fishing and spearfishing for finfish are legal and all invertebrates are protected.