Alder Creek Beach

Located in the southern part of Monterey County, Alder Creek Beach is a long and narrow rocky beach situated in the Big Sur region. The beach is present in an arched cove below the Los Padres National Forest area. There are many rock formations present near the beach shoreline. The Alder Creek meets the Pacific Ocean near the northern part of the beach.

Alder Creek Beach does not have any lifeguards or other amenities, so plan accordingly.

Alder Creek Beach offers many fun activities including beachcombing, sunbathing, surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, kite surfing, fishing, windsurfing, wildlife watching, bodysurfing, boogie boarding, boating, jet-skiing, surf-skiing, and parasailing. If you are planning to go into the water near Alder Creek Beach, we recommend being careful since the water here is known to have rip currents. The water near the beach is home to many animals including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating grey whales (between December and April). Alder Creek Beach is also a great fishing spot - you can catch a variety of fish here including surfperch, bass, corbina, and croaker.

Getting to Alder Creek Beach can be hard – the access route to the beach is located along Cabrillo Highway/ California State Highway 1 around seven miles north of the boundary between Monterey and San Luis Obispo County. In order to access the trail to Alder Creek Beach, you need to look out for a bluff-top spot along the ocean side of the highway which has two wooden benches facing the Pacific Ocean. From this spot, you can access the trail that leads you down the bluff side to the rocky Alder Creek Beach situated below. The bluff-top area above the beach also has free parking spaces. 

There are many attractions near Alder Creek Beach. The New Camaldoli Hermitage has lush public gardens that also offer a pleasant view of the Pacific Ocean. In addition, the hermitage also offers a bookstore. The Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument is set in the palatial estate which was formerly the home of the famous newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst. The site features Hearst Castle, the businessman’s lavish mansion, and also has interesting art galleries, historical exhibitions, a visitor center, and a gift shop. If you are looking for another attraction near Alder Creek Beach, the Salmon Creek Falls is situated within the Los Padres National Forest and offers some great Instagram-worthy pictures.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Alder Creek Beach. Wild Coast Restaurant & The Sushi Bar is an upscale restaurant offering a pleasant oceanfront dining experience and serves delicious sushi along with other delectable seafood dishes and burgers. Lucia Lodge Restaurant is 20 minutes away by car, was awarded Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice award in 2020, and offers a pleasant oceanfront dining experience. In addition, the restaurant also serves great seafood and sandwiches. If you are looking for a good and affordable restaurant near Alder Creek Beach, the modestly priced Whale Watcher’s Cafe features an exquisite marine-themed dining area and serves excellent seafood dishes.

If you are looking for a hotel near Alder Creek Beach, there are many great nearby options. If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 4-Star Blue Dolphin Inn is 55 minutes away by car and offers pleasant oceanfront views, and offers complimentary breakfast. The 3-Star Treebones Resort offers accommodation in exquisite yurt tents and offers numerous amenities including two restaurants, a pool, a hot tub, complimentary breakfast, and arrangements for yoga classes. The 3-Star Gorda Springs Resort offers many amenities including two restaurants, an espresso bar, and a general store. If you are looking for another good and affordable option near Alder Creek Beach, the Plaskett Creek Campground offers many amenities including toilets, a picnic area, and drinking water (the campground does not have showers). Moreover, it accommodates both RVs and tents and offers a memorable experience of the wilderness of the Big Sur region.