Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Carmel River State Beach is located in quaint Carmel-by-the-Sea, population 3,842. This charming seaside town has an abundance of character, and so does this beach. It's popular for kayaking, diving, sunset-watching and birding, though swimmers are advised to be cautious due to strong waves and currents. Carmel River State Beach is not as large as neighboring Carmel Beach City Park—but that means it's not as crowded, either.Parking and public transportation at Carmel River State BeachThere's a small parking lot adjacent to Carmel River State Beach. If it's full, visitors can park along Scenic Drive and walk along the road to the beach. The closest bus stop is on Santa Lucia Avenue, which is about a 15 minute walk. The bus stop is served by Monterey-Salinas Transit's route 94, which also travels to Sand City, Seaside and Monterey.Best and worst time to go to Carmel River State BeachCarmel's weather is mild year-round. Visitors who want to avoid crowds should avoid June-September, while those interested in bird-watching would find fall and winter the best months.Admission to Carmel River State BeachAccess to Carmel River State Beach is free.Must see/do at Carmel River State BeachCarmel River State Beach makes for the perfect sunset-watching spot nearly every night. Visitors who want to see wildlife might catch a dolphin pod offshore, or find a Brown pelican, Great Blue Heron or Virginia Rail near the north end of the beach, which is also the Carmel River Lagoon and Wetlands Natural Preserve.Other places to visit near Carmel River State BeachThe city of Carmel features many restaurants and shops in its downtown area. The Tuck Box stands out due to its unique architecture-it was designed and built by Hugh Comstock, who's known for the several fairytale-style cottages he built in the area.Insider tip for visitors to Carmel River State BeachThough the ocean will prove to be a great attraction, visitors should also explore the river area and the surrounding rocks.Author's bio: Elizabeth Xu is a freelance writer in the San Francisco Bay Area, though she hails from the Midwest. Follow her travels @ElizabethMXu.