Monterey State Beach

Del Monte Ave, Monterey, CA 93940

A mile of crescent sand along Monterey Bay near Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row — calm bay water (the Pacific is sheltered by the Monterey Bay submarine canyon offshore), kayaking with sea otters, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium two blocks inland.

Great day for photography.

62°F air

Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon

Sunny. High near 62, with temperatures falling to around 60 in the afternoon. West northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. West northwest wind 12 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Weather

  • 62°F air — chilly for a beach day
  • Sunny skies — clear conditions

Water

  • 60°F water — chilly — expect a gasp entering
  • 5.6ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids

Safety

  • UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
49 /100
ok
34 Swim
55 Sunbathe
74 Walk
80 Photo

Best for photography today

Water level 0.5 ft above predicted

Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.

NOAA station 9413450 · Observed 3.84 ft · Predicted 3.31 ft

Air Temp
62°F
Clear
Wind
15 mph
WNW
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
60°F
Mostly Sunny
Water Temp
60°F
Cold
Wave Height
5.6 ft
16s · SW swell
Barometer
30.06 inHg
1018 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Total Coliform
USGS · sampled 5mo ago
Sunrise
8:50 AM
Sunset
11:21 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
7-day chart →
Time Type Height
7:41 AM Low -0.6 ft
3:09 PM High 3.5 ft
6:27 PM Low 3.1 ft
Today Jun 3
62°

Sunny

0%
59
Thu Jun 4
60°

Mostly Sunny

1%
59
Fri Jun 5
63°

Mostly Sunny

0%
59
Sat Jun 6
60°

Mostly Sunny

0%
50
Sun Jun 7
61°

Mostly Sunny

0%
59
Mon Jun 8
62°

Partly Sunny

5%
59
Tue Jun 9
63°

Partly Sunny

7%
59
  • critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
  • critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 60°F — dangerously cold

Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).

Parking

Free street parking; paid lots near Cannery Row.

Dogs

Dogs allowed leashed.

Entry Fee

Free

Address

Del Monte Ave, Monterey, CA 93940

lifeguards (in season)restroomsshowersaquarium nearbyrestaurantskayak rentals
Is Monterey State Beach dog-friendly?

Dogs allowed leashed.

Is there an entry fee at Monterey State Beach?

Entry to Monterey State Beach is free.

Are there lifeguards at Monterey State Beach?

Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Monterey State Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.

What amenities are at Monterey State Beach?

Amenities at Monterey State Beach include lifeguards (in season), restrooms, showers, aquarium nearby, restaurants, kayak rentals.

When is the water warmest at Monterey State Beach?

The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.

Where is Monterey State Beach located?

Monterey State Beach is in Monterey County, CA, at Del Monte Ave, Monterey, CA 93940.

Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS

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