Carmel Beach is meant to be enjoyed by everyone, and we all play
an important role in protecting it. Please follow the rules and
be a responsible steward of this beautiful coastal resource.
Many volunteers and staff work daily to keep this area in
pristine condition for the public’s enjoyment. Please help do
your part to protect this extraordinary beach and leave only your
footprints in the sand.
BEACH STAIRWAY ACCESS: All beach stairways are open
except at 10th Avenue and 12th Avenue.
User-provided propane devices are allowed per the Beach
Fire Rules below.
- All wood burning fires are prohibited.
- User-supplied propane-fueled devices are allowed year-round.
- All propane fire devices and propane tanks must be UL listed
and in safe working order.
- Propane fires are only allowed south of 10th Avenue (10th
Ave. to Martin Way).
- No materials of any kind shall be placed into or onto the
propane devices to be burned.
- Do not burn driftwood.
- Do not burn trash.
- Do not burn compressed fire logs (e.g.: Duraflame, Presto,
etc.).
- Charcoal and wood BBQs, fireworks, tiki torches, sky
lanterns, and other fuel tanks are prohibited.
- Bonfires are not allowed.
- Propane grills are allowed.
- Cooking and grilling are allowed on a propane device only.
- Wood and charcoal grills are prohibited.
- Trash and recycling bins are located at the top of each beach
stairway.
- Bins are for the convenience of visitors to dispose of small
trash items.
- If you will generate a lot of trash, please bring large trash
bags to fill and take home.
- Please do not stuff large bags into the bins or leave on the
ground.
- Alcohol is allowed on Carmel Beach, between the hours of 7:00
am and 10:00 pm
- All persons consuming alcoholic beverages must be 21 or over
and have identification with them.
- It is unlawful to drink alcoholic beverages on public
streets, beach stairs or beach bluffs.
- Smoking is prohibited in all coastal recreational areas
including the Scenic Pathway and Carmel Beach.
- Dogs are allowed on Carmel Beach without a leash, but must
remain under voice control.
- Bags for collecting dog waste are provided at the access
points /stairways.
- Pick up after your dog – please don’t leave dog bags on the
beach.
- Dogs must be on a leash in all other places in Carmel,
including the Scenic Pathway.
- Please leash your dog at the bottom of the stairways or sand
ramps when leaving the beach.
- Access to the beach at the bottom of Ocean Avenue is via a
sand-ramp.
- There are nine (9) access stairways connecting the Scenic
Pathway to the beach along Scenic Road. All stairways are
open apart from (2) locations: at 10th Avenue and 12th Avenue
(updated May 2024).
- Do not use the bluffs as a short-cut to the beach – It causes
erosion and damage to plants.
- Accessible Parking Spaces – There are four (4) spaces at the
base of Ocean Avenue and two (2) just south of 8th Avenue on
Scenic Road.
- The main beach parking is lot located at the bottom of Ocean
Avenue with easy access to the beach and restrooms.
- There are also marked parking spaces along Scenic Road from
8th Avenue to Martin Way with no time limit from 5:00am to
Midnight. (Midnight to 5:00am – Resident Parking Pass required)
- Additional parking available along San Antonio Avenue with
beach access walkways to Scenic Road at 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th
Avenues.
- No vehicles taller than 7.5 feet in height and/or longer than
20 feet are allowed to park on Scenic Road at any time.
- There are no lifeguards at Carmel Beach. Please remain aware
of waves, undertow, riptides and other potential hazards.
- Restrooms are located at the bottom of Ocean Avenue near the
parking lot, and on Scenic Road at Santa Lucia Avenue.
