California, United States of America

The Crater Beach

Crater Beach is located in Sand City, USA, and is a notable attraction in an area known for clothing-optional activities. The beach features a large depression in the dunes, referred to as The Crater, which is ideal for activities such as climbing, jumping, and sliding.

Visitors can access The Crater by parking at the north end of the Sand City Shopping Center parking lot and walking along California Avenue to a gate adjacent to the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail. Although private property signs are present, many visitors disregard them and climb over the gate. To avoid trespassing, visitors can refrain from walking down the paved road beyond The Crater or walk north on the beach from Sand City Beach.

Discover places to stay near Crater Beach and enjoy the unique experience of The Crater's sandy dunes and clothing-optional activities.

The adjacent beach is expansive, sandy, and secluded, providing an ideal location for a tranquil day in the sun. Furthermore, dogs are permitted on the beach, making it a great spot for a day out with furry companions.

Visitor Reviews

Visitor reviews highlight the pretty and enjoyable bike ride along the beach and the opportunity to pick up sea glass as the best features of the beach. However, visitors complain about limited parking, abandoned debris, and appalling conditions.

Where to Stay near The Crater Beach?

Visitors to Crater Beach in Sand City often stay in nearby Monterey, which offers a range of accommodations and is known for its scenic beauty and historic attractions. Many also stay in Pacific Grove, a charming town with easy access to the beach, making it a convenient base for exploring the area.

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

Where is The Crater Beach?

Latitude: 36.6187427 / Longitude: -121.8507439

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

The Crater Beach: Weather Today

📅 Friday, July 24, 2026
Today is a disappointing day to head to The Crater Beach, as conditions remain quite unfavorable for a classic seaside outing. A persistent blanket of fog is obscuring the sky, making it feel gloomy and dim rather than a bright summer day. While it is not raining, the cool air temperature of 20.3 °C and the lack of sunshine make sunbathing uncomfortable. The water is quite frigid at 15.6 °C, and with waves reaching 1.5 m and moderate winds blowing, the sea is definitely not suitable for swimming. Although the UV Index is 8.2, you should still be cautious of hidden rays even through the fog. Overall, this is not a day for the beach, so you might want to postpone your visit until the marine layer clears and the temperatures rise.
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Air

Low / High14.1°C/20.3°C
Feels Like (High)21.8°C
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Sea

Sea Temperature15.6 °C
Wave Height1.5 m
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Rain

Rain Chance1%
Rainfall0 mm
Rain Duration0 h
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Sun

Sunrise / Sunset06:07/20:20
Sunshine Hours9.8 hrs
UV Index8.2
Cloud Cover61%
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Wind

Speed17.1 km/h
Gusts28.8 km/h
DirectionW

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