Carmel Beach, United States of America - Beach Guide, Info, Photos

Carmel Beach is a scenic sand beach located in Carmel, CA, USA, around 2 hours south of San Francisco. Displaying curvaceous stretches of soft white sand, this beach is celebrated for its breathtaking sunset vistas, which render it a favored venue for weddings and rehearsal dinners.

Bordering the lively expanse of white sand are tall cypress trees, further complemented by the enchanting European style village situated behind.

In addition, Carmel Beach hosts several captivating events throughout the year, including the notable Great Sandcastle contest, an annual tradition that has been running for over 55 years.

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Carmel Beach Photos Visitor Reviews Where to Stay near Carmel Beach? Where is Carmel Beach? Carmel Beach: Weather Today Beaches near Carmel Beach

Visitor Reviews

Visitor reviews highlight the beautiful and clean beach with something for everyone, including dog-friendly areas and stunning sunsets. Visitors enjoy the easy access and availability of parking. Some visitors note that the beach can get crowded and finding parking may require patience and luck.

Where to Stay near Carmel Beach?

Visitors to Carmel Beach often stay in the charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, known for its quaint inns and boutique hotels, many of which are within walking distance to the beach. People also explore nearby areas like Monterey, which offers a variety of accommodations and is just a short drive away, making it easy to include Carmel Beach in their itinerary.

The following map shows available accommodations and their prices. See the full list of accommodation options here.

Where is Carmel Beach?

Latitude: 36.5502388 / Longitude: -121.9291215

Carmel Beach is located in California. The following map of Carmel Beach shows the exact location.

Nearby destinations:

Carmel Beach: Weather Today

📅 Friday, July 31, 2026

Summary
Full Forecast

Today is an underwhelming day for a typical beach outing at Carmel Beach, as heavy fog is hanging low and obscuring the sky. While the air temperature will reach a mild 21 °C, the conditions are far from ideal for sunbathing or relaxing by the shore. The sea remains quite cold at 13.6 °C, making it strictly off-limits for swimming, and the water is rather choppy with noticeable waves rolling in. You should also be aware that the sun remains strong with a UV Index of 8.2, so protection is necessary even through the clouds. Given the persistent fog and the rough, chilly water, it is best to skip the beach today.

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Air

Low / High	12.7°C/21°C
Feels Like (High)	22.6°C

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Sea

Sea Temperature	13.6 °C
Wave Height	1.8 m

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Rain

Rain Chance	2%
Rainfall	0 mm
Rain Duration	0 h

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Sun

Sunrise / Sunset	06:13/20:14
Sunshine Hours	11.2 hrs
UV Index	8.2
Cloud Cover	40%

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Wind

Speed	14.3 km/h
Gusts	35.6 km/h
Direction	N