No Fireworks!

Because of significant fire danger and Carmel Bay’s designation as a marine sanctuary, fireworks are absolutely PROHIBITED in Carmel-by-the-Sea. No fireworks! 

Instead, join us for the Monterey POPS! concert or have a nice beach picnic :) 

Monterey County POPS! Concert July 4th

Bring your lawn chairs and a picnic and join us on July 4th for a special concert by the Monterey Pops! in Devendorf Park. The program will include Alan Silvestri’s A Night At The Movies, Tubby The Tuba, narrated by Reg Huston with Jim Paoletti on Tuba Huapango, Prayer for Ukraine and Patriotic and Americana Favorites. 

Open rehearsal is 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and the Concert will be from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.  

Devendorf Park is located on the NW corner of Junipero Street and Ocean Avenue. 

Carmel Beach

No fireworks on the beach! 

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.

Before planning your visit, please review the beach rules below to ensure a safe and happy 4th of July for all! 

Beach fire rules

• Building a wood fire directly on the sand is prohibited.
• Clean, dry firewood should be burned only in City supplied fire pits
• Five (5) City supplied smokeless fire pits are installed on the beach May 15th through September 15th 
• City fire pits are available on a first-come, first-served basis
• Fires are only allowed between the hours of 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Fires are only allowed south of 10th Avenue (10th Ave. to Martin Way).
• Do not burn driftwood
• Do not burn trash
• Do not burn compressed fire-logs (e.g.: Duraflame, Presto, etc.)
• Extinguish fires with water only or let burn out – Do not use sand.
• User-supplied propane-fueled devices are allowed year-round
• Charcoal BBQ’s, fireworks, tiki torches, sky lanterns and other fuel tanks are prohibited.
• Bonfires are not allowed.
• Firewood should be placed below the rim of the pit.
• Please remove your leftover firewood. Do not leave it on the beach or place in trash carts.
• Clean, dry firewood can be purchased at local markets/stores.

Grilling and cooking at the beach

• Cooking and grilling is allowed on Carmel Beach
• Propane grills are allowed.
• Cooking over a city-provided wood fire pit is allowed
• Charcoal is prohibited

Trash and Recycling

• 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

• 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

• Smoking is prohibited in all coastal recreational areas including the Scenic Pathway and Carmel Beach.

Dogs on the 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.

Beach Access

• 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.
• Do not use the bluffs as a short-cut to the beach – It causes erosion and damage to plants.

Parking

• 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 are allowed to park on Scenic Road at any time.

Lifeguards

• There are no lifeguards at Carmel Beach. Please remain aware of waves, undertow, riptides and other potential hazards.

Public Restrooms

• Restrooms are located at the bottom of Ocean Avenue near the parking lot, and on Scenic Road at Santa Lucia Avenue.