Marina State Beach

What a lovely spot - and the sand dunes are so fun to hop your way down too! Easy, free parking as well. Reminds you why California can be so great. Its a great place to sit back and soak it all in.

My favorite neighborhood beach. So many trails to get to it. Sometimes you get a sighting of some whales in the distance. Definitely, see otters casually swim by. And the birds. Nice place to have lunch or stop by to visit on your way home.

Great place to enjoy the Beach. Right outside of Monterey. A secret cove waits and sand dunes in the other side. Not to crowded. P lot is not the biggest so you may have to park outside of the Beach.

Very windy almost always so bring a coat. Rip tide very dangerous so dont even think about getting in too deep. Water is super cold anyway! Hang gliders and kites have occasional battles, public restrooms are nasty but open and theres an occasional lifeguard on duty.

Marina state beach always has great waves. We were able to watch surfers. See whales spout then surface in the distance. We were even able to find a bunch of sand dollars on one visit. It is just off the freeway and has vault toilets. Parking lot is a little small so try get there in the morning for easy parking

Capturing the perfect momentWhen the star King goes tosleep is amazing...

Super clen, very relaxing... beautiful place to spend with family!

Nice beach overall, probably less crowded than many. Does have restrooms. From parking lot, walk down a dune about 60 steps to flat part of beach.

You know when you watch a movie and you see a beach and you go dang… I wish my local Beach was just like that? Thats how this beach made me feel. You dont feel compelled to talk to the people around you but you dont feel compelled to not as well. and its not a crowded tourist attraction either its a nice little quiet place to get away and clear your head. And recollect yourself.

Love, love, love this place. Beautiful views even from the parking lot. Not a lot of trash, visitors are mellow and for the most part enjoying the experience. Not a lot of parking, but worth the walk if needed. I visit to journal, capture amazing photos, and sometimes just take a nap.

Plenty of space to roam, or sit. Bathrooms at the parking lot are helpful, but could be maintained more frequently. Some days there may be strong rip current to watch for, but a lifeguard does keep watch from the parking area in a truck.

Was nice to get back out and enjoy the coast again. It was a blessing to find this beach open with minor public safety restrictions. Played in the surf, collected sand dollars and watched the sealions in the waves. Was a wonderful family day out.

Very beautiful area. I love the pacific coast so much. There are so many hidden gems along the way,and this is definitely one of them.

I always have loved this beach. Does not have that much parking but that only makes it better so that there isnt as many crowds. Still my favorite beach.

Nice and relaxing... not too crowded and public restrooms as well

The beach was nice, typical beach to visit. A bit rough in areas for walking barefoot, but ok. Parking lot was small.

Amazing beach with amazing views. If you got the Poppy Pass its even better! Smokey skies didnt take away from the views.

Nice beach/dunes. Free parking. It was a bit chilly in November.

Awesome! We plan to go there often. Its my favorite beach. There is nice sand, good weather and the water temperature is just right, plus it is not crowded.

We love this spot for paragliding. The bathrooms are good beach style bathrooms and typically in good shape. Parking isnt super plentiful but typically a spot will open up at some point. The beach is typically pretty clean of trash and there are picnic tables to sit at.

Nice beach, wasnt packed at all. Parking is very limited. Stayed at nearby hotel so just walked. The bathrooms are open.

It is a hidden gem to locals where one can find a peaceful and tranquil moment for oneself. There is a small parking lot which fills up quickly. We were patient and lucky to get one spot. Otherwise, we have to park along Reservation Rd and walk to the beach. The beach is spacious. Families with kids can play with sand. There is no shade. Water is kind of cold. Nearby public restroom facility. We see people are hang-gliding with parachutes and it looks cool to see those advanturous souls having a good time. However, it could be dangerous as well.

Awesome beach! Grandkids love it! Restroom needs work. The life guards need to pay attention to whats going on at the beach and not what its on their phone!

Awesome beach. First time in a very long time. Felt great!

This is what I call home ever since I was little I would walk to this beach and have fun with my family. There are hills that you have to climb up and down. But all in all it’s a great beach.

We arrived just as a thick fog rolled in, our first visit, but still enjoyed it, it was beautiful and clean. The parking lot was right on the beach, though Im sure its not usually easy to get a spot, and is somewhat small. Parking is available along the street as well. The climb through the sand to get back up to it was unexpectedly difficult, just showing me how badly I need to get into shape! Im excited to go back when the weather is a little clearer.

Quiet and peaceful beach. This beach is windy like 90% of the time so dress in layers but it is a great place to watch waves undisturbed.

I always liked being by the ocean. It reminds me of how small I am. Compared to how freaking huge it is. Kinda tales my breath away.

The parking lot was available, we just waited for someone to leave to get a spot. No problem. Wore masks and enjoyed time on the sand to see tide.

This beach was so breathtaking. It was so peaceful and the water was a crystal blue. I never water this color in California and I am a native. I literally thought I was in the Caribbean because the water was gorgeous like the tropical places Ive been to.

Great access, limited parking and public bathrooms. Nice beach.

Its very beautiful here. The wind is insane and so is the climb down.. you have to be in good shape to get back up the cliff

Deliciouso and so strange one in a lifetime.

Very clean and well maintained beach.Restrooms are easily accessible from beach.

Parking lot with a nice view of the bay and Monterey. Steep slope from the parking lot down to the ocean.

This beach was beautiful and away from the hustle and bustle of the city atmosphere. Perfect for every age and clean with spots of shells and driftwood to collect. Will definitely come again!

Easy access to beach from parking lot, and easy access from freeway as well. A beach with bathrooms is a def bonus. Enjoyed my time here, will definitely return.

Nice place to get away relax... I always go back

We arrived in town Sunday 7/12/2020 and when to the beach after checking to our hotel. Lots of people... we were standing in the parking lot looking into the horizon... OMG we saw whales! Between 5:15PM and 6PM

Views are spectacular. Nice relaxing walks. Can be a tad windy out on the sand however if bring a jacket it shouldnt be a bother. A ton of shorebirds too for those who love photography and bird spotting.

Its a nice area to chill out. Parking is very limited but you will find a spot.

Beautiful sunsets and great picture shots

Nice beach, kind of secluded but there was a bit of trash on the shoreline which was pretty much the only downside.. Oh and there is dune with a slope as an entrance so either walk up it to get back or walk around to a pathway which is also uphill but not as bad.

The bathrooms are well maintained, beach access is very easy. There was plenty of parking.

Nice beach for the family. Although parking can be a pain. Make sure to not park in spots where theres no parking signs because police WILL ticket you.

Beautiful views, long sand beaches, nice hiking trails on dunes. Only downside is the wind.

Quiet beach with less folks. Nice sand

Was nice day not crowded.

So beautiful! Tons of beach space. Seems pretty clean. Not a ton of parking so get there early

Nice and cool place. But parking place is so small. Restroom is open.

Beautiful beach. You are hiking up the sand to get there but its worth the veiw

Quit. But windy and some great views

Beautiful little beach! I had a fantastic 5 mile run here! :)

Nice soft sand beach. No rocks or tide pools, just lots of sand. No dogs allowed.

Beautiful stretch of coast with sandy beach, great views, hiking trail in the adjacent sand dunes.Small parking lot, and a bathroom building.

Need more parking lot. No dog in the beach.

Not very crowded, always scenic and lovely. People need to pack out their garbage!

It was foggy but beautiful it burned off for a bit then it rolled back in. Enjoyed

Easy access to beach from parking lot, and easy access from freeway as well. A beach with bathrooms is a def bonus. Enjoyed my time here, will definitely return.

Not crowded and the beach was free of litter. Lots of birds and the air was refreshing. Went for a walk and enjoyed the music on my radio as I strolled south along th shoreline. Marina State Beach is very nice and you can find a log to sit on very easily. I love to go there.

Quite a nice Beach, great high surf, good for fishing too. You dont have to pay for parking its free, but the parking lot is on the small side. They also have very nice restrooms. Lots of Wide Open Spaces to explore and run around. Best time to go really is after 8pm during the summer and you can catch a great sunset. Its actually one of the best beaches in the area.

The sand is amazing, and the water was cool.There was A LOT of debris on the beach, or it wouldve been a 5*

Peace, beautiful and very clean beach. Not a beach to swim at because of crashing strong waves.

Beautiful Coast nice sandy beaches.. even go kite boarding

Easy to reach. Clean

Shhhhh... dont tell anyone what an amazing beach this is! Go park by the RV park for the dog-friendly entrance. (On leash)

Loved the ocean hotel not as great

Beautiful beach and you can see whales at times!

Relaxing and fun. Not to many people.

Beautiful beach, quiet and nice views for walking in the summer morning..

We had a blast!...we came here for the weekend..7 hours drive and we loved it..best way to get here from the hotel is walking..only 10 mins away... one thing is you are gonna have a hard time finding a parking ..since the spaces are very limited...but it was worth everything.Stores,restaurants, gas bank are only one mile away.

Amazing to watch all the paragliders fly back and forth along the hill !!

Great place to visit beautiful sites

This is a nice beach. Parking can be a bit tight but there is street parking. The views are beautiful and the beach is generally not too crowded. The waves can be strong so I am not sure how good it would be for swimming. I dont know anything about surfing bit it seems like it would be good for that... ::Shrug::There are a few picnic tables (two or three... I dont remember) no dogs allowed on the beach.I am only giving 4 stars because I am trying to be more discerning with 5 star reviews.

It is a very calm place to be on the beach; however, if you are planning on swinging, it is dangerous. I got to see two teenagers in problems.It was being very hard for them to get out of the sea. Thankfully, a life saver got on time.

It sure was nice to be cool for a while.

Its beautiful and if you dont want to get off your car you can park and still see the water

Great walk with a view of the ocean on one side and beautiful old houses of Pacific Grove on the other. Lots of benches along the way to seat and watch birds and sea lions on the rocks.

Nice quite place great sunsets

Beautiful beach. I spent my last night in town watching the sunset, and I definitely dont regret it! Absolutely beautiful views, very relaxing.

Lots of space to roam...nice!

When I went I hade a beautiful experience. The beach was definitely not crowded, in fact pretty peacefully empty. Allowing your own privacy and a new out of this world type of experience is you step into the land of meditation. Great beach.

Nice beach, a bit of a climb to get to and not crowded.

Family favorite & pleasant beach to visit. Weekdays not as crowded, but parking can be filled quickly. Bathrooms on site.

Soft sand, not too crowded, beautiful, sweeping views of the ocean.

Great place to hangout.... public transportation is quite mediocre...

Have bin there twice, once on a cloudy day and once on a sunny weekend. Both time not crowded, beware of the hike.

Had an enjoyable time watching the Sun go down.

Cool place highly reccomend

Loved it everyone had masks and keeping distance

Wonderful beach. Nice sand, no debris, and easy walk in from the street. Beautiful sunset.

Hands down fav beach now . Bring weed and drank to have a blast.

Not to crowed and the waves here were pounding!!

This place is amazing:)

State could do much much better now not mañana .

Great quite place and has restrooms. Not to great for older people if the cant climbing down.

Clean beach! Great fishing as well.

Low key family beach.

Nice and secluded, though I am here on a Tuesday morning, weekends could be different.

Nice, huge beach that isnt very popular. Easy to have a whole area to yourself.