Monastery Beach

Monastery Beach is a sandy shore along the Pacific coastline near Carmel-by-the-Sea, featuring golden sand and deep blue waters backed by dramatic cliffs. The steep terrain and exposed rocks at the water's edge create a rugged, undeveloped character distinct from other nearby beaches.

Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno charted this coastline in 1602 with three priests in his expedition, events that later inspired the construction of the Carmelite Monastery on the clifftops. The religious community that followed became a defining landmark of the area.

The beach takes its name from the Carmelite Monastery perched on the cliffs above, where nuns have maintained a contemplative community for centuries. This spiritual presence has shaped how people view and relate to the coastal landscape.

The waters here are rough and dangerous due to strong currents and unpredictable underwater conditions, so viewing from the sand is safest and swimming is not advised. Sturdy shoes are helpful since the path down is steep and the shore becomes rocky.

The location provides direct access to the Monterey Trench, one of the deepest parts of the California coast, which draws experienced divers seeking extreme underwater exploration. This geological feature makes it valuable for marine research and scientific study.