This is a beautiful state beach just north of Monterey which is frequently overlooked. It has a small parking lot and flush toilets as well as a beautiful view, so it can be a good quick break from the road. However, if you have time, stay and walk the beach for gorgeous clouds and water and great birding.

Very beautiful and scenic place to visit. Love the sunset it’s mesmerizing. Even a whole day would not be enough to be here. Waves are hypnotic. Beach is very clean. Parking could be issue on weekends but somehow got to park. Waiting for summer 😍.

I love this beach. It's perfect for going down into the water on a sunny day, or if you just wanna sit in your car and watch the waves. There's even a place to sit at the top of the hill if you want the sand.

Easy to get to. Now that summer vacation is over it’s not as busy. If you go early enough there’s plenty of parking. Definitely windy on most days. The walk down is always nice but going back up is always a challenge 😅 Clean beach. There’s a restroom area by the parking lot. Definitely a great spot to stop at.

I love it here. Very peaceful. Great place to have a bonfire, fly kites, or go paragliding. Only con is the parking on weekends. But during the week, an awesome place to watch the sunset.

Sunsets are brilliant. A broad group of folks brought together, all peacefully watching the sun go down. So cool. Gotta get here early as parking gets tight.

The beach has a lot of sea herbs or I don't know what they call it, but it was not clean the beach. I didn't enjoy it that much .The parking is small and hard to find place to park. Bathrooms was crowded and there is two portable bathrooms. The place is fine but there is much more beautiful beaches

One of the most beautiful beaches in Northern California. Plenty of open space to soak in the sun and spend the afternoon/evening with friends/family/pets. I enjoyed the sunset view sitting on the beach. The view was spectacular👌.

We are in state for Thanksgiving. There was a lull day and my wife and I wanted to see a west coast sunset. Highly recommend this location Not to busy and beautiful at sunset.

Beautiful place to walk on the sand, watch the waves, and picnic. There are even a few picnic tables. Small parking lot but the turnover was fine in January. I imagine it would be difficult to park in the summer. Restrooms were pretty disgusting though, hence only 4 stars.

Marina State Beach in California offers a tranquil retreat along the picturesque coastline. My recent visit left me impressed with the natural beauty, expansive sandy shores, and the overall peaceful atmosphere of this coastal gem. Highlights: Scenic Beauty: Marina State Beach boasts stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, with wide stretches of sandy coastline framed by dunes and coastal vegetation. The unspoiled beauty of the landscape provides a serene backdrop for relaxation and contemplation. Beachcombing and Nature Exploration: The beach is ideal for those who enjoy beachcombing and nature walks. The tidal pools and diverse marine life add an extra layer of fascination for those interested in coastal ecosystems. Clean and Well-Maintained: The beach is well-maintained, with clean sands and well-kept facilities. Ample parking and accessible pathways contribute to a hassle-free and enjoyable visitor experience. Dog-Friendly Atmosphere: Marina State Beach is dog-friendly, allowing visitors to enjoy the company of their four-legged friends while taking in the ocean breeze. The designated dog-friendly areas are well-marked, creating a harmonious environment for all beachgoers. Sunset Spectacle: The westward orientation of the beach makes it an excellent spot to witness breathtaking sunsets. The play of colors in the sky, reflected on the water, creates a magical and memorable experience. Areas for Improvement: While the natural beauty is a major draw, adding more amenities such as picnic areas or shaded spots could enhance the overall visitor experience. Conclusion: Marina State Beach is a hidden gem along the California coast, offering a peaceful escape for those seeking a connection with nature. Whether you're a beachcomber, a nature enthusiast, or someone looking for a serene spot to enjoy the sunset, Marina State Beach is a worthwhile destination that captures the essence of California's coastal beauty.

Restrooms on-site, small parking lot that fills up most days. Wind usually comes straight in off the water making it the perfect site for hang gliding . A big gap in the center allows for large open family area that does not interfere with hang gliding. Minimal paragliders as the high pressure ridge has a large gap to jump. They tend to use the north side of this beach but mainly fly south of this beach. The next acess called Dog Pound or all the way to Seaside. Wind along this coast usually picks up by 10am to 12pm.

Easy to access, very clean, not crowded at all, cool water, warm sand. Seagulls behaved…..

Finishing our Anniversary trip fr Cambria n Monterey, we stopped here. Quiet .. not too many people, water is turquoise blue n beautiful. Relaxing n ate our crackers cheese n cream cheese n olive feta topping . Beautiful scenery n day. We were able to feed the birds also. Nice n clean bathrooms also. Saw some men fishing.

What a hike to the top. (Huff,huff,huff) but once on the crest, saw para sailers hiding around. Stayed there and watched. Wonderful experience and only saw 6 or 7 people in total. Live to have spent the whole day but was working.

be prepared for a hike! the sand dunes can be quite a challenge to get over, and the ocean floor drops off very quickly so be extremely cautious while wading or swimming in the ocean! the views are marvelous and the beach extends all the way to monterey wharf if you are willing to walk alongside the ocean for that long! highly recommend watching the sunset from this beach before leaving marina.

Absolutely beautiful....perfect day! It was pretty warm for being a winter day! The water was exceptionally blue and the waves were roaring!

Be prepared for very strong winds and an endless beautiful beach ! we spotted whales in like 30 minutes

Amazing beach, super nice view on the ocean. The Pazifik is very cold of course but the waves are insane

Beautiful and peaceful

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.

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. It's a great place to sit back and soak it all in.

Flew out here just to get away from the cold for a little while and this place hit the spot. If you can, visit this place to take in its beauty and energy. Its well worth the trip.

Best little beach in Marina. It's popular and there is either room to park or there isn't. This is one of our favorite spots to get some lunch and just sit in the car and eat in peace. We've actually gone to the beach here to boogie board but during the off season most people just come to watch the waves. On a good day it's just the best place to enjoy the sounds of the ocean. Bathrooms are available. There is parking out on the street, but not a lot, and if that's where you're parking it's a bit of a walk. It's a step climb/descent from the parking lot to the actual beach so don't try to descend and then climb if you have bad knees, this is not a friendly walk. Again, not a lot of space to park.

Came from out of town, sneaky, easy to get to beach spot with beautiful sunset views. Parking lot, restrooms, picnic tables, large beach area.

Beautiful sand dunes, saw a paraglider doing his thing. Nice, fine sand. The water is clean, cold, but not freezing. No lifeguard on duty, the waves are still very strong. Not crowded at all. I don't mind staying here all day.

(Translated by Google) Nice place to relax and walk (Original) Bonito lugar para relajarse y caminar

Parking right on the beach. Bathrooms in parking lot. Only room for about 30 cars, so parking can be hard, but it is free to park here!

Great place to catch a sunset or perhaps have a bite to eat. Kites and hang gliding are often seen here, lots of wind. The beach in this area is not really safe for swimming. No fires, no pets.

Enjoyed the weekend with my boys walking in the beach and spending quality time with them🏖🌊

Beautiful beach. Popular. Parking can fill quickly during sunset. Has restrooms. Law enforcement closes gates shortly after sunset.

Greatest secret ever shared. GO! The sunsets are amazing! Bathrooms and plenty of space to have a romantic moment or time with friends. Go. Did I say it before go. This is officially our beach... People but not many. Call it your beach as well.

Lovely place where to get some fresh air and have a sandwich, amazing view of the ocean 🌊

Peace of the waves and mind

(Translated by Google) Excellent (Original) Excelente

Went for a AM run. Didn't check tides so lets just say I got my run in for sure. Not overly crowded, super clean and beautiful.

Nice beach. Could use a shop to grab something to drink and eat - but we've only been there in January, maybe it's different in summer.

Love this place great getaway

8/14/23 Monday small beach with parking n rest rooms next to freeway 1, walkable distance from our hotel Holiday Inn

Cold and overcast but good time

Sunset is awesome and it has quite a bit space for walking and all too

Very limited parking & steep descent to waterline. But you can catch some amazing sunsets & beautiful views. And there is a small public restroom there.

The views here are amazing. Watched the sunset, it was beautiful

This is such a great little beach, the hotels available and the size of the beach make it feel so intimate. You can really get away, well, at least around the time we went, which was mid-September. There are some nice, cozy looking RV parks and a couple of hotels and a resort where we stayed. The waves looked good enough for boogie boards, and the weather was nice. We were so lucky to find this beach that we plan to make it a regular visit at least once a year being so close to home. I hope it's the same experience if we travel during warmer months.

This is a beautiful and enormous beach. They have bathrooms and the parking lot is way too small.

Beautiful place to visit. There is a sign saying it's dangerous to swim because of the waves but its like heaven there.

Absolutely love this beach. Gets busy even on an overcast day , can't wait to come back.

Please pick up trash when you come here. I went on a windy run and there was too much trash for my hand to Cary on the way back. Would be great if there were a u-clean it box like lake Merritt institute has in oakland for people that want to volunteer beach clean up with supplies

Beautiful place to get some nice wave pictures. Parking was a lot easier than at La Jolla Cove.

One of the nicest beach in the Peninsula for spending some time by the ocean, especially in the afternoon. The fact that you can park your car facing the spectacular ocean view makes the experience one of a kind. You can also walk to the sandy beach downhill and enjoy a relaxing time there. Only downside is that the parking lot is small so you have to find times when it's not full.

Stop here!!! Its awesome

Surf was big. Long time Marinian just back for a quick visit.

I love going 🚶 to the beach its so relaxing

Magnificent surf today.

Beautiful long beach great for relaxing walks and a chance to reset your mindset

Gorgeous day. People picnicking while maintaining social distancing. Great day.

QUINTESSENTIAL

Beautiful place!

Beautiful. Very clean. Big waves and surfers

One of the more peaceful beaches left on the peninsula.

Limited parking but if you're looking for that walk on the beach this is the spot.

Beautiful ❤️

Nice beach. Limited parking.

Beautiful beach with great waves!

Breath taking

The Beauty of California and the places we can go.

Been staying walking distance from the beach and I love how calm and peaceful it is!

(Translated by Google) Very efficient (Original) Muy eficiente

Not so crowded beach. Good for picnics.

I am a photographer who loves to shoot at locations that are more private for the couple, and this is one of my favorite spots!

very beautiful and not alot of people which is a plus during these covid times!! so windy a seagul appeared to be suspended in mid air. super cool!!

Parking gets full quick but its very nice place and you get sand right where parking is so good part is no need to walk down far from your car Your kids can play sand while you can sit in your vehicle

The view is breathtaking

I like this beach, i don’t come here very often, but i was here on Sunday morning after getting my self a Bagel and a coffee. I ate here and watched the ocean. Beautiful experience. Small parking lot, it was almost full at 8:30am. Two portable restrooms available. I don’t think there is a time limit to park there during the day, but after sunset no car is allowed there. Many people stop here to rest for a little bit before continuing their trip.