Right Beaches › California › Carmel-By-The-Sea
Mara Beach Carmel
4.8★ · 129 Google ratings · Carmel-By-The-Sea, California
✓ Parking✓ Restrooms✓ Picnic tables✓ Good for kids
At a glance
Parking
On-site lot · 50 ft away · fills up
Walk
175 yd · 2 min
Restrooms
Yes · 100 ft away
Water
62°F
Tide
2 ft range today
Children
Reported good for young kids
Length
0.8 miles of shoreline
Water quality
Good · all 12 samples clean · 2025
Crowds
Quietest Mon 7pm
Map of Mara Beach Carmel
1
2
1Parking2Restrooms100 ft from the listing
Guide
Good to know
Reported good with little kids
Visitors often mention shallow or calm water. This is what reviewers report, not a safety assessment.Mentioned by 7 visitors · 2017–2026
Go for sunset views and wildlife
Ocean views are outstanding, and you'll likely see pelicans, egrets, seals and other coastal birds.
Arrive early to secure parking
The small lot fills up, though street parking is usually available nearby.
Time your visit around tide and currents
South end currents intensify at high tide where the river meets the ocean; stick to other areas.
Expect seaweed and driftwood
The beach naturally accumulates kelp and large wood bundles that are part of the coastal ecosystem.
Conditions
How it is right now
Air
65°F · overcast
Water
62°F
Waves
4.7 ft · 11 s apart
Wind
7 mph from the SW
Shelter
Cross-shore · wind running along the beach
UV index
7 peak today
| Time | Tide | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 06:35 | High tide | ↑ |
| 09:23 | Low tide | ↓ |
| 16:21 | High tide | ↑ |
Last updated Sep 4, 5:36 AM.
Crowds
When it gets busy
| 8a | 9a | 10a | 11a | 12p | 1p | 2p | 3p | 4p | 5p | 6p | 7p | |
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QuietBusy
Practical
Plan your visit
📍 26495 Scenic Rd, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
🅿 Parking 50 ft from the listing
🌊 Water 175 yd away, about 2 min walk
🚽 Restrooms 100 ft away
Nearby
Other beaches close by
200 yd away · shorter walk
0.7 miles away · shorter walk
0.9 miles away · shorter walk
1.1 miles away · shorter walk
1.1 miles away · shorter walk
1.4 miles away · shorter walk
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Questions
Common questions
Where do you park at Mara Beach Carmel?
The nearest mapped parking area is 50 ft from the listed location. Positions come from OpenStreetMap, not from review text.
How far is the walk to the water at Mara Beach Carmel?
175 yd in a straight line from the listing to the mapped shoreline, about 2 min. Soft sand and dune make the real walk longer than the straight line.
Does Mara Beach Carmel have restrooms?
Restrooms are mapped 100 ft from the listing.
When is Mara Beach Carmel least busy?
Google visit patterns put the quietest hour at Mon 7pm and the busiest at Sat 3pm.
Measured from OpenStreetMap, public aerial imagery and live conditions data, and counted from visitor reviews. Every source, in full.
