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Carmel River State Beach in California.Carmel River State Beach, Monterey County

Monterey County beaches

Which Monterey County beach is best right now? 29 beaches ranked by live weather, wind, waves and water temperature.

Updated 12:16 am local timeScores from Open-Meteo forecasts, refreshed hourlyColors follow the lifeguard flags

Top 3 right now

It is dark there now, so these are ranked by their best stretch next.

  1. Purple Sand patterns on Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur CA July 8th, 201617.2Greatlater

    Wreck Beach

    Monterey County

    Dark there now. Best 9 am later
    Air
    16°C60°F
    Water
    20°C67°F
    Wind
    14 km/h9 mph
    Waves
    1.9 m6 ft
    Tomorrow, hour by hourBest 2 pm, 8.3
  2. Pfeiffer Beach, United States27.0Greatlater

    Pfeiffer Beach

    Monterey County

    Dark there now. Best 3 pm later
    Air
    14°C58°F
    Water
    20°C67°F
    Wind
    10 km/h6 mph
    Waves
    1.9 m6 ft
    Tomorrow, hour by hourBest 2 pm, 8.2
  3. 36.8Goodlater

    Zmudowski State Beach

    Monterey County

    Dark there now. Best 8 am later
    Air
    13°C55°F
    Water
    18°C64°F
    Wind
    10 km/h6 mph
    Waves
    1.5 m5 ft
    Tomorrow, hour by hourBest 2 pm, 8.4

Monterey County today

It is dark across Monterey County right now: 2 of 29 scored beaches look good later, water is 18 to 20°C64 to 67°F. Read at 12:16 am; everything below is computed from that reading.

Northern Monterey County

26 of 26 beaches scored, 0 good now

6.7GoodAverage Beach ScoreBest: Zmudowski State Beach, 6.8
Water
19°C66°F
Wind
15 km/h10 mph
Waves
1.8 m6 ft
Better right now

Southern Monterey County

3 of 3 beaches scored, 0 good now

6.8GoodAverage Beach ScoreBest: Wreck Beach, 7.2
Water
20°C67°F
Wind
10 km/h6 mph
Waves
1.8 m6 ft
  • Warmest water

    20°C67°F

    Sand Dollar Beach

    Monterey County. 0.8°1.4° above the Monterey County average. Score 6.3 Good.

  • Calmest sea

    1.5 m5 ft waves

    Zmudowski State Beach

    Monterey County. Wind 10 km/h6 mph.

Best hours

The best hour left today is 4 pm (6.8); the weakest is 9 am (4.6).

The strongest stretch runs 1 pm to 7 pm.

7 to 10, green flag4 to 7, yellowUnder 4, redAverage of the scored beaches, each hour

All Monterey County beaches

Every Monterey County beach we track, ranked by its live Beach Score. Hover a row to find it on the map.

29 beaches listed · 29 of 29 scored live

  1. Purple Sand patterns on Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur CA July 8th, 2016

    Wreck Beach

    Monterey County

    7.2Greatlater

    1.9 m6 ft waves, gentle breeze and 20°C67°F water.

    • Water20°C67°F
    • Air16°C60°F
    • Wind14 km/h9 mph
    • Waves1.9 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 9 am to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  2. Pfeiffer Beach, United States

    Pfeiffer Beach

    Monterey County

    7.0Greatlater

    1.9 m6 ft waves, light wind and 20°C67°F water.

    • Water20°C67°F
    • Air14°C58°F
    • Wind10 km/h6 mph
    • Waves1.9 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 6 pm later
    • Paid parking
  3. Zmudowski State Beach

    Monterey County

    6.8Goodlater

    1.5 m5 ft waves, light wind and 18°C64°F water.

    • Water18°C64°F
    • Air13°C55°F
    • Wind10 km/h6 mph
    • Waves1.5 m5 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 8 am to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  4. Monterey, CA, USA - panoramio (15)

    Aeneas Beach

    Monterey County

    6.8Goodlater

    1.8 m6 ft waves, light wind and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind12 km/h7 mph
    • Waves1.8 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  5. California, USA - August 2016

    Del Monte Beach

    Monterey County

    6.8Goodlater

    1.8 m6 ft waves, light wind and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind12 km/h7 mph
    • Waves1.8 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  6. McAbee Beach 1 2024-01-10

    Macabee Beach

    Monterey County

    6.8Goodlater

    1.8 m6 ft waves, light wind and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind12 km/h7 mph
    • Waves1.8 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  7. Marina State Beach, California, USA

    Marina State Beach

    Monterey County

    6.8Goodlater

    1.8 m6 ft waves, light wind and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind12 km/h7 mph
    • Waves1.8 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  8. Marina Dunes Preserve

    Marina State Beach

    Monterey County

    6.8Goodlater

    1.8 m6 ft waves, light wind and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind12 km/h7 mph
    • Waves1.8 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  9. California, USA - August 2016

    Monterey State Beach

    Monterey County

    6.8Goodlater

    1.8 m6 ft waves, light wind and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind12 km/h7 mph
    • Waves1.8 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • Paid parking
  10. 500px provided description: Pic of the City of Monterey from Monterey State Beach, while traveling there for a few days. [#sea ,#sunset ,#water ,#travel ,#coast ,#ocean ,#waves ,#summer ,#california ,

    Monterey State Beach

    Monterey County

    6.8Goodlater

    1.8 m6 ft waves, light wind and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind12 km/h7 mph
    • Waves1.8 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  11. Marina Dunes Preserve

    North Marina

    Monterey County

    6.8Goodlater

    1.8 m6 ft waves, light wind and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind12 km/h7 mph
    • Waves1.8 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  12. beach

    San Carlos Beach

    Monterey County

    6.8Goodlater

    1.8 m6 ft waves, light wind and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind12 km/h7 mph
    • Waves1.8 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • Paid parking
  13. Sunset taken at Salinas River State Beach, in Monterey County , California.
    6.7Goodlater

    1.6 m5 ft waves, gentle breeze and 18°C65°F water.

    • Water18°C65°F
    • Air16°C62°F
    • Wind16 km/h10 mph
    • Waves1.6 m5 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  14. I seem to have a lot of shots looking down a trail. Asilomar State Park, CA

    Asilomar State Beach

    Monterey County

    6.7Goodlater

    1.9 m6 ft waves, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind16 km/h10 mph
    • Waves1.9 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  15. Lovers Point Park

    Lovers Point Beach

    Monterey County

    6.7Goodlater

    1.9 m6 ft waves, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind16 km/h10 mph
    • Waves1.9 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  16. Asilomar State Beach at Sunset

    Moss Beach

    Monterey County

    6.7Goodlater

    1.9 m6 ft waves, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind16 km/h10 mph
    • Waves1.9 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  17. The Beach at Asilomar Conference center

    North Moss Beach

    Monterey County

    6.7Goodlater

    1.9 m6 ft waves, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind16 km/h10 mph
    • Waves1.9 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  18. Marbled godwit, Limosa fedoa, Moss Landing (Elkhorn Slough and beach), California, USA.

    Island Beach

    Monterey County

    6.6Goodlater

    1.6 m5 ft waves, breezy and 18°C65°F water.

    • Water18°C65°F
    • Air17°C62°F
    • Wind23 km/h14 mph
    • Waves1.6 m5 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 11 am to 7 pm later
    • Paid parking
  19. Marbled godwit, Limosa fedoa, Moss Landing (Elkhorn Slough and beach), California, USA.

    Jetty Beach

    Monterey County

    6.6Goodlater

    1.6 m5 ft waves, breezy and 18°C65°F water.

    • Water18°C65°F
    • Air17°C62°F
    • Wind23 km/h14 mph
    • Waves1.6 m5 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 11 am to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  20. Sandy beach and cliffs at Moss Landing , California
    6.6Goodlater

    1.6 m5 ft waves, breezy and 18°C65°F water.

    • Water18°C65°F
    • Air17°C62°F
    • Wind23 km/h14 mph
    • Waves1.6 m5 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 11 am to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  21. Carmel Beach

    Carmel Beach

    Monterey County

    6.5Goodlater

    1.9 m6 ft waves, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind17 km/h11 mph
    • Waves1.9 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
    • Dogs allowed
  22. Carmel River State Beach in California.
    6.5Goodlater

    1.9 m6 ft waves, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind17 km/h11 mph
    • Waves1.9 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  23. TimelapsePebble Beach, Del Monte Forest, CA, USA

    Fan Shell Beach

    Monterey County

    6.5Goodlater

    1.9 m6 ft waves, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind17 km/h11 mph
    • Waves1.9 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • Free parking
  24. China Cove, Point Lobos State Park

    Hidden Beach

    Monterey County

    6.5Goodlater

    1.9 m6 ft waves, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind17 km/h11 mph
    • Waves1.9 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  25. Monastery Beach, United States

    Monastery Beach

    Monterey County

    6.5Goodlater

    1.9 m6 ft waves, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind17 km/h11 mph
    • Waves1.9 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  26. Pebble Beach

    Monterey County

    6.5Goodlater

    1.9 m6 ft waves, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind17 km/h11 mph
    • Waves1.9 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  27. Carmel Highlands May 2011 004

    Sandy Beach

    Monterey County

    6.5Goodlater

    1.9 m6 ft waves, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind17 km/h11 mph
    • Waves1.9 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  28. Photographers on the Beach

    Weston Beach

    Monterey County

    6.5Goodlater

    1.9 m6 ft waves, gentle breeze and 19°C66°F water.

    • Water19°C66°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind17 km/h11 mph
    • Waves1.9 m6 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 1 pm to 7 pm later
    • No facility details on OpenStreetMap yet
  29. Fun sunny surf day at Sand Dollar Beach.

    Sand Dollar Beach

    Monterey County

    6.3Goodlater

    1.6 m5 ft waves, light wind and 20°C67°F water.

    • Water20°C67°F
    • Air15°C59°F
    • Wind6 km/h4 mph
    • Waves1.6 m5 ft
    TodayTomorrowBest 3 pm to 7 pm later
    • Paid parking
Map of Monterey County beaches with live score pins

Coastlines: Natural Earth, public domain. Pins are live scores.

7 and up4 to 7Under 4No live score hereHover a beach to find it. Click a group to zoom in.

Stays near Monterey County’s best beaches today

Compare hotels and apartments near the beaches that score best today.

Partner links
  • 7.2 GreatWreck Beach now

    Stays near Wreck Beach

    Compare prices for tonight on our stays partner’s map.

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  • 7.0 GreatPfeiffer Beach now

    Stays near Pfeiffer Beach

    Compare prices for tonight on our stays partner’s map.

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  • 6.8 GoodZmudowski State Beach now

    Stays near Zmudowski State Beach

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Hotel results come from our stays partner. We may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you, and it never changes the beach score.

Monterey County beach questions

Answered from today’s data. Numbers change as the forecast does.

What is the best beach in Monterey County right now?

Wreck Beach has the top Beach Score later: 7.2 Great, with 14 km/h (9 mph) of wind. Scores are ranked from live forecasts, so the order changes through the day.

What is the water temperature in Monterey County today?

Sea water is 18 to 20°C (64 to 67°F) across the 29 scored beaches. The warmest is Sand Dollar Beach, at 20°C (67°F).

Where is the sea calmest in Monterey County right now?

Zmudowski State Beach has the smallest waves, at 1.5 m (5 ft) with 10 km/h (6 mph) of wind.

Which Monterey County beaches have lifeguards?

None of the listed beaches carry a lifeguard tag on OpenStreetMap yet. That means we do not know, not that there are none. Follow posted flags and local advice.

What is the best time to go to the beach in Monterey County today?

Averaged across the scored beaches, the best hour today is 4 pm, at 6.8 Good, and the strongest stretch runs 1 pm to 7 pm. Each beach page has its own hour-by-hour forecast.

Are there live beach cams in Monterey County?

No live cams are listed for Monterey County yet. If you run one, you can list it free.

How many beaches does Check the Beach cover in Monterey County?

All 29 beaches in our data for Monterey County are scored live on this page.

Sources: Open-Meteo weather and marine forecasts; facilities from OpenStreetMap. All sources.

More areas in California

Same live scores, same flags.

Run a cam on a Monterey County beach? List it free.

Surf shops, hotels and lifeguard clubs: put your cam next to a live Beach Score and send beachgoers your way.

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