| Carmel River State Beach | |
|---|---|
 Entrance to the Carmel River State Beach | |
  Location in the Monterey Peninsula | |
| Location | 26478 Carmelo Street,Monterey County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Carmel, California |
| Coordinates | 36°31′56″N121°55′37″W / 36.53222°N 121.92694°W /36.53222; -121.92694 |
| Area | 297 acres (120 ha) |
| Established | 1953 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Carmel River State Beach is astate park unit at the mouth ofCarmel Valley, California, United States, featuring a 1-mile-long (1.6 km) protectedbeach with alagoon formed by theCarmel River. The lagoon attracts manymigratory birds. The state beach includes Mara Beach and Monastery Beach, (also called San Jose Creek Beach) which is popular withscuba divers.Sea kayakers also frequent the beach, which has easy access to the natural reserves ofPoint Lobos. The 297-acre (120 ha) park was established in 1953.[1]
In 1602 Spanish explorerSebastián Vizcaíno landed at this beach.[2]Gaspar de Portolà, during thePortola expedition, was encamped on this beach and rested here before deciding to return to San Diego because of low supplies and having failed to rendezvous with the Spanish supply ships. A cross commemorating the landing is on the beach.[3]
Carmel River State Beach is a popular spot fordivers and kayakers, who can access the notablekelp forests in the area. It is also popular with birders, and is a stop on the Central Coast Birding Trail. The best seasons forbirdwatching at Carmel River State Beach are fall and winter.[3]
Swimming on this section of the coast can be extremely dangerous because of the strong currents. Carmel River State Beach is considered especially dangerous for swimming as the steep drop-off from shore can minimize turbulent waves giving the mistaken impression of a calm sea.
Dogs are allowed in the park, but must be kept on aleash.
South of the Carmel River Lagoon and Wetlands Natural Preserve,great blue heron,greater yellowlegs,brown pelicans,Virginia rail, and many species ofgulls,terns, andegrets can be spotted.[3] A variety of dune flora and fauna can also be found here, as well as organisms inhabiting the rocky intertidal and sandy intertidal zones.
The park enterence is located offCarmel Point, at Scenic Road and Carmelo Street. It is adjacent toCalifornia State Route 1, about 1 mi (1.6 km) south of Rio Road at the mouth ofCarmel Valley, north of theBig Sur coast inMonterey County, California.
The beach is open to walk-in visitors, and has public restrooms next to the parking lot.[4]
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