Indian Head Beach

Located in the city of Marina, Indian Head Beach is a remote beach with large light brown sand dunes. While this beach is technically a part of Fort Ord Dunes State Park, this beach is situated near the boundary between Fort Ord Dunes State Park and another state park called Marina State Beach.

Indian Head Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly. Dogs are not allowed on the beach. 

Indian Head Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, hang gliding, paragliding, hiking, wildlife watching, and fishing. The water near Indian Head Beach is highly unsafe for recreational activities including swimming and surfing due to extremely strong rip currents and considerable depth. In addition, the water here also has a severe undertow, making it look calm on the surface but becoming dangerous once you go into it. We strongly recommend that you don’t leave children unattended anywhere close to the water near Indian Head Beach. Indian Head Beach can be occasionally windy, making it ideal for hang gliding and paragliding. The water near this beach is also home to many animals including seals, sea lions, and sea otters. Depending on the time of the year, you can also see migrating whales in the water near Indian Head Beach. If you like birdwatching, you can also watch many kinds of birds on and around Indian head Beach. You can also explore the large sand dunes present around Indian Head Beach. In addition, Indian Head Beach is also known to be a great location for beachcombing. The beach’s remote location and fewer number of visitors make it ideal for those looking for a quiet beach experience. Indian Head Beach is also often used by clothing-optional visitors. However, if you are planning a clothing-optional visit, keep in mind that public indecency is illegal and punishable by local authorities. Fort Ord Dunes State Park has interesting hiking and biking trails that you can use to explore the park’s vibrant landscape. The state park also offers a cell phone tour which can be accessed by dialing (831) 998-9458. This cell phone tour offers an interesting insight into Fort Ord Dunes State Park’s unique biodiversity and history.    

Getting to Indian Head Beach is easy - in order to access Indian Head Beach, you first need to reach Marina State Beach, whose small free parking lot is located at the end of a road named Lake Drive just after it passes underneath Pacific Coast Highway / Cabrillo Highway. From this parking area, you need to walk south via another road named Lake Court, whose end has a dirt trail leading to Marina State Beach. Once you reach Marina State Beach, you simply need to walk south along the coastline to get to Indian Head Beach. As an alternative option, you can also access Indian Head Beach via Fort Ord Dunes State Park. From the parking lot of Fort Ord Dunes State Park, you need to hike to the state park’s beach area via an access trail. After you get to the beach area of Fort Ord Dunes State Park, simply walk north along the shoreline to get to Indian Head Beach. 

There are many attractions near Indian Head Beach. Locke-Paddon Community Park is a 17-acre park that has a series of freshwater ponds. These ponds and the area around them are great birdwatching spots and you can see many kinds of migratory and resident birds here including grebes, warblers, and coots. The park also has picnic spots, interpretive displays, and workout stations. Frog Pond Wetlands Preserve protects a wetland habitat that offers a unique insight into the unique biodiversity of Monterey County. Apart from being a great wildlife watching spot, this preserve is also home to many kinds of trees including Monterey pines and arroyo willows. The preserve is also home to bigleaf periwinkle trees which have beautiful blue flowers that bloom during spring. If you are looking for another attraction near Indian Head Beach, the Del Monte Golf Course is an 18-hole golf course that offers a fun and challenging session of golf. The course was built in the 19th century and is the oldest golf course in continuous operation to the west of the Mississippi River.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Indian Head Beach. Salt Wood Kitchen and Oysterette has a rustic ambiance. In addition, the upscale restaurant also serves excellent seafood. Dametra offers excellent Mediterranean dishes including kebabs, gyros, spanakopita, and dolmas. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Indian Head Beach, the modestly priced Noodle Bar offers fantastic Asian dishes.

If you are looking for a hotel near Indian Head Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star The Sanctuary Beach Resort offers many amenities including a restaurant, a pool, and a spa. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star SpringHill Suites by Marriott The Dunes On Monterey Bay which offers many amenities including a restaurant, a terrace, a patio with a fire pit, a pool, a gym, and a convenience store. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Indian Head Beach, the modestly priced 2-Star Economy Inn offers complimentary breakfast. In addition, the hotel also offers free accommodation to kids aged 14 and under with an adult.