Carmel Beach or Monterey State Beach today?
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California · Monterey, California — 6 km apart
Updated 4:03 AM PDT
60Carmel Beach
vs
60Monterey State Beach
Too close to call today. Carmel Beach scores 60 and Monterey State Beach scores 60 — 6 km apart and sharing the same weather, so pick on what you want to do.
Which one, for what
- Neither pulls ahead on anything we measure today — every activity is within a few points. At 6 km apart they are drawing on the same weather and swell, so the deciding factor is the beach itself: parking, crowds, and what you want from the day.
| Activity | Carmel Beach | Monterey State Beach | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swimming | 45 | 45 | tie |
| Families with kids | 49 | 49 | tie |
| Walking & shelling | 72 | 72 | tie |
| Surfing | 79 | 79 | tie |
Conditions side by side
| Now | Carmel Beach | Monterey State Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Water temperature | 57°F | 57°F |
| Wave height | 4.9 ft | 4.5 ft |
| Air temperature | 58°F | 59°F |
| Wind | 4 mph | 3 mph |
| UV index | 0 | 0 |
| Next tide | Low 5:22 AM | Low 5:26 AM |
| Water quality | Graded A+ | Graded A+ |
Both readings taken at the same moment, from the same sources, so the comparison is like for like.
Frequently asked questions
Should I go to Carmel Beach or Monterey State Beach today?
They score within a few points of each other (60 and 60), so pick on what you plan to do rather than the overall number.
How far apart are Carmel Beach and Monterey State Beach?
About 6 km in a straight line. Close enough that they usually share weather and swell, so the difference is often in the shape of the beach rather than the forecast.