Asilomar State Beach
Asilomar State Beach is located on the Pebble Beach side of Monterey Peninsula in Pacific Grove, CA. This linear state park is along Sunset Drive between Jewel Avenue and Crocker Avenue. Asilomar is not a typical “beach.” It’s a string of small coves and rocky points with a few sandy spots along the shoreline. Asilomar Coastal Trail, an accessible walking trail, meanders along the dunes between the ocean and the road making it easy to visit all the coves and points. Plan to spend some time walking the coastal trail and trails in the grassy dunes. Next to the road there is a bike lane for those who would rather bike around the peninsula.
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Lovers Point
Lovers Point Park is a popular park and public beach in Pacific Grove. The beach is west-facing and even has a concrete wall and breakwater protecting it from the north. This makes it one of the few safe swimming beaches in the area, but the water is cold year-round and most beach visitors will be sunbathing or floating on the water in rented kayaks. The park is ideal for a picnic and the trails along the bluff make it a great place to start a walk, run, or bike ride. The rocks at Lover’s Point are fun to climb around on and the photo opportunities here are almost endless. This is a perfect spot to watch the sun set. Lovers Point is also, not surprisingly, a popular wedding venue and can be reserved through the city’s website.
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Windows on the Bay
Window on the Bay Beach (aka Windows Beach) is the southernmost of three separate sections of Monterey State Beach. This state-owned beach is in front of the nicely landscaped city-owned and operated Monterey Bay Waterfront Park. The Monterey Municipal Wharf 2 is west of the park where the beach is known as Municipal Beach. If you want some solitude just walk east on this north-facing beach as it curls along the bay shore toward a locals’ access known as Del Monte Beach. For Windows Beach there is street parking available along Del Monte Avenue and there is a pay lot at the end of Camino El Estero. The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail runs behind the beach and connects to the other sections of the state beach in northern Monterey and Seaside. Sea kayak rentals are usually available at Municipal Beach. The El Estero Park Complex is across Del Monte Ave. It has a playground, fishing pier, dog park, snack bar, skate park, and various types of boat rentals for playing on Lake El Estero.
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San Carlos Beach
San Carlos Beach is located in Monterey at the west end of Cannery Row next to the Coast Guard Pier. This beach is sometimes referred to as Reeside Beach Access because of its location at the end of Reeside Avenue. San Carlos Beach is known for scuba diving not subathing, but it’s a great place to visit on a sunny day. You can choose from grass lawns, sandy beaches, or benches and picnic tables to rest on. Some old concrete structures exist at the water’s edge. Right behind San Carlos Beach Park is the paved Monterey Peninsula Recreation Trail for bikers, runners, and walkers to enjoy. Check out nearby Monterey Municipal Beach if you want a sandier beach experience.
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