Carmel River State Beach, Public beach and nature preserve at Carmel Bay, California

Carmel River State Beach is a public beach on Carmel Bay, in the southern part of the Monterey Peninsula in California, featuring a mix of sand, rocks, and a natural lagoon at the mouth of the Carmel River. The lagoon sits just behind the sand, where the river meets the ocean and forms a shallow, marshy area separate from the open shore.

In 1602 Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno landed at this beach, and a cross on the sand commemorates the landing. Gaspar de Portolà's expedition camped here and rested before turning back to San Diego, short of supplies and having failed to meet its supply ships. The 297-acre park was established in 1953.

The Carmel River lagoon draws migratory birds, and birders visit it as a stop on the Central Coast Birding Trail, with fall and winter the best seasons. South of the Carmel River Lagoon and Wetlands Natural Preserve, great blue heron, greater yellowlegs, brown pelicans, Virginia rail, and many gulls, terns and egrets can be spotted.

The park entrance is off Carmel Point at Scenic Road and Carmelo Street, beside California State Route 1 about 1 mi (1.6 km) south of Rio Road. Walk-in visitors are welcome, and public restrooms stand next to the parking lot. Swimming is hazardous here: strong currents and a steep drop-off from shore keep the surface deceptively smooth. Dogs must stay on a leash.

The 297-acre park was established in 1953. A cross on the sand marks the 1602 landing of Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno, and Gaspar de Portolà later camped here during his expedition before turning back to San Diego for lack of supplies.