Monterey Municipal Beach

The Monterey Municipal Beach marks the beginning (or end) of the Monterey State Beach chain. From here, it is possible to walk the beach or take the recreational trail all the way to Seaside, CA. The beaches are wide open, with plenty of room for a broad range of activities.

A park setting offers grassy areas for sprawling out, picnic tables with barbecue pits, and a volleyball net. The waters at Monterey Beach are fairly calm, so it is a good location to launch your kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Kayak rentals are available onsite. The beach is connected to the Fisherman's Wharf, where you can find restaurants, shop for souvenirs, watch for whales, or go fishing.

This beach is located near the heart of Monterey, so expect large crowds of people. You have to pay to park in the parking lot, but you may also find parking along Del Monte Blvd.