Located near the southern end of Carmel-by-the-Sea (also known as Carmel), Carmel River State Beach is a large oceanfront state park that has a mile-long beach area. The state park has three beaches - the main beach in Carmel River State Beach, Carmel Meadows Beach, and Monastery Beach. All the beaches have light brown sand, and Carmel Meadows Beach has some rocky parts. The water near the beaches in Carmel River State Beach has strong currents. The Carmel River meets the ocean near the northern part of the state park and forms a lagoon here. Additionally, San Jose Creek Beach, which is popular with scuba divers, is another notable nearby location known for its unique underwater landscapes.
