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Beaches, Parks & Playgrounds
The City of Monterey has some of the most beautiful and diverse parks and beaches in the world. From sandy or rocky shores, wetlands, pine forests to unique playgrounds, Monterey's open spaces provide a wealth of recreation and leisure activities. Many of Monterey’s 37 parks feature barbecue grills, sports fields, playground equipment and other amenities. Browse our directory of parks and beaches to research locations, activities, reservation information, and amenities. Whether you want to surf, camp, dive, sail, hike, kayak or bike, our parks and beaches will provide fun and incredible scenery for the entire family.March 16, 2024: Cutting Day and Horticulture Faire, 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine
Be a part of the VIPs
The City of Monterey Parks Division invites residents to participate as a Volunteer in Parks VIP. All COVID-19 protocols are strictly followed. Volunteers in Parks (VIP) are a group of volunteers who assist in general maintenance and beautification of City parks and gardens. They assist with planting, pruning, weeding, and landscape maintenance. Information, tools, and instruction are provided. No experience is needed other than an enjoyment of the outdoors. VIP typically work on Tuesdays, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. If interested, please contact the City of Monterey Parks Division, (831) 646-3860.
More information
Parks and Beaches
The Parks & Beaches section of the Maintenance Division maintains 37 parks and more than 200 other sites. We are responsible for overnight camping; beach and park maintenance; wood chip delivery; memorial benches/trees; cemetery services; RV storage facility; annual Cutting Day; and our volunteer gardener program. Find out more below. Report problems, make service requests or email suggest@monterey.org.
The Parks & Beaches section of the Maintenance Division is responsible for:
Parks, Beaches, and Greenbelts Maintenance
We develop and implement ongoing maintenance programs for the City park system. We maintain and repair all irrigation systems; respond to citizens' and visitors' questions and suggestions and provide information on public use of beaches and parks; and respond to reports of sick or dead animals. Forty campsites are available at Veteran's Memorial Park.
Special Programs, including Volunteers in Parks
We supervise the Volunteer Gardener Program, which meets weekly on Tuesdays from 9 am to noon to supervise community volunteers who work at various sites throughout the City's extensive park system.
No special skills necessary except a capacity for enjoying the outdoors. Tools and materials are provided. Please call the Parks Division at 646-3860 for location information.
Every year on the third Saturday in March, the City's Parks Division hosts the Annual Cutting Day & Horticulture Faire, a plant exchange with free plant cuttings, tree seedlings, and native plant and gardening information.
Cemetery
We offer gravesites, cremain sites (half-graves), columbarium niches and burial services. We also coordinate the installation of headstones and perform general cemetery maintenance. A new lakeside columbarium and burial section is now available. Visit the Cementerio El Encinal web pages
RV Storage Facility
This popular facility at Ryan Ranch is secured with a coded locked gate and motion detector lighting. Open to all Monterey Peninsula residents on a first-come, first-served basis - with priority given to Monterey residents - the lot is currently full. A waiting list has been established. More information
The Parks & Beaches section of the Maintenance Division is responsible for:
Parks, Beaches, and Greenbelts Maintenance
We develop and implement ongoing maintenance programs for the City park system. We maintain and repair all irrigation systems; respond to citizens' and visitors' questions and suggestions and provide information on public use of beaches and parks; and respond to reports of sick or dead animals. Forty campsites are available at Veteran's Memorial Park.
Special Programs, including Volunteers in Parks
We supervise the Volunteer Gardener Program, which meets weekly on Tuesdays from 9 am to noon to supervise community volunteers who work at various sites throughout the City's extensive park system.
No special skills necessary except a capacity for enjoying the outdoors. Tools and materials are provided. Please call the Parks Division at 646-3860 for location information.Every year on the third Saturday in March, the City's Parks Division hosts the Annual Cutting Day & Horticulture Faire, a plant exchange with free plant cuttings, tree seedlings, and native plant and gardening information.
Cemetery
We offer gravesites, cremain sites (half-graves), columbarium niches and burial services. We also coordinate the installation of headstones and perform general cemetery maintenance. A new lakeside columbarium and burial section is now available. Visit the Cementerio El Encinal web pages
RV Storage Facility
This popular facility at Ryan Ranch is secured with a coded locked gate and motion detector lighting. Open to all Monterey Peninsula residents on a first-come, first-served basis - with priority given to Monterey residents - the lot is currently full. A waiting list has been established. More information
Monterey State Beach
This is the largest of Monterey's beaches. You can see lots of beach activities going on here, including body surfing, boogie boarding, surfing, and picnicking. Please make sure you know beach rules to ensure your safety.
Dog Rules: Dogs on leash only allowed south of the Monterey Beach Resort hotel. No dogs allowed on the Monterey State Beach north of the hotel.
Del Monte Beach
An extension of Monterey State Beach and offers the same amenities. Sometimes waves can be dangerous, so know what you are doing if you decide to enjoy the surf. No lifeguards are on duty.
San Carlos Beach
This beach is right next to the Monterey Bay Boatworks launch ramp, and is at the beginning of Cannery Row. This beach attracts recreational divers and is a favorite spot dive classes.
Several other beach access areas along Cannery Row, several smaller beaches are accessible along this area, including McAbee Beach.
This is the largest of Monterey's beaches. You can see lots of beach activities going on here, including body surfing, boogie boarding, surfing, and picnicking. Please make sure you know beach rules to ensure your safety.
Dog Rules: Dogs on leash only allowed south of the Monterey Beach Resort hotel. No dogs allowed on the Monterey State Beach north of the hotel.
Del Monte Beach
An extension of Monterey State Beach and offers the same amenities. Sometimes waves can be dangerous, so know what you are doing if you decide to enjoy the surf. No lifeguards are on duty.
San Carlos Beach
This beach is right next to the Monterey Bay Boatworks launch ramp, and is at the beginning of Cannery Row. This beach attracts recreational divers and is a favorite spot dive classes.
Several other beach access areas along Cannery Row, several smaller beaches are accessible along this area, including McAbee Beach.
