{"ok":true,"data":{"id":2084,"slug":"del-monte-dunes-beach-monterey","name":"Del Monte Dunes Beach","country":"USA","state":"California","city":"Monterey","coords":{"lat":36.6202,"lng":-121.8646},"beachType":null,"tags":["hidden","scenic","dog_friendly"],"article":{"hero":"Del Monte Dunes Beach unfurls along the southern curve of Monterey Bay, a ribbon of blonde sand that feels worlds away from the sardine-cannery bustle of downtown. The beach takes its name from the towering sand hills that rise just inland, a favorite training ground for hang-gliding students who spiral down to land on the packed sand near the tideline. You'll park in a small gravel lot off Highway 1, then walk a short path through coastal scrub—coyote brush and seaside daisy—before the dunes open onto a wide, windswept strand.\n\nThe beach draws a devoted local crowd: dawn surfers checking the shoulder-high break near the jetty, retirees power-walking the firm sand at low tide, and dog owners who've discovered one of the few off-leash stretches on the Monterey Peninsula. Harbor seals haul out on the rocks at the northern end, their wet heads bobbing in the kelp beds offshore. The water stays cold year-round—low fifties in summer, high forties in winter—but the lack of summer fog makes this stretch sunnier than most Central Coast beaches.\n\nBring binoculars for the seabirds: brown pelicans skim the wave tops, cormorants perch on offshore boulders with wings spread to dry, and during winter storms, you might spot loons and grebes riding the swells. The beach faces northwest, so sunsets paint the dunes in apricot light while the Monterey skyline glows pink across the bay.","teaser":"You'll find this slender beach wedged between Highway 1 and the dunes just north of Monterey, where the roar of the Pacific drowns out traffic and the only footprints belong to early-morning joggers and their dogs. Bring a windbreaker—the onshore breeze is relentless—and watch for the colorful hang-gliders launching from the bluffs above, riding thermals like seabirds.","uniqueAngle":"One of the rare off-leash dog beaches in Monterey County, beneath a hang-gliding launch site where nylon wings swoop down to land beside your towel.","accessType":"Drive-up, short path","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"hike","title":"Dune Trails","subtitle":"Sandy paths behind the beach"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Hang-Glider Landings","subtitle":"Afternoon thermals bring colorful wings"},{"icon":"surf","title":"North Jetty Break","subtitle":"Shoulder-high peaks on west swells"},{"icon":"sun","title":"Off-Leash Dog Run","subtitle":"Let your retriever chase waves"}],"audience":{"surfer":"The north jetty manufactures a forgiving right-hander on winter west swells, breaking over sand in waist- to shoulder-high sets that reform twice before reaching shore. Crowds stay thin because nearby Asilomar and Carmel pull most of the pack; you'll share the line-up with a handful of longboarders and the occasional seal. Northwest wind chops things up by noon, so paddle out at dawn. The rip near the rocks moves fast—respect the current and stay south of the jetty structure. Cold-water wax and a 4/3 wetsuit are non-negotiable year-round.","couples":"Stake out a spot near the dunes at the southern end, where the sand rises into natural windbreaks and the evening light turns the kelp-strewn tideline amber. The beach empties by dusk, leaving you alone with the rhythmic crash of shorebreak and the silhouettes of cypress trees on the distant point. For dinner, drive five minutes south to Monterey's Cannery Row—Schooners Coastal Kitchen serves Dungeness crab cioppino with bay views—or grab fish tacos from the trucks near Fisherman's Wharf. Book a room at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa for wake-up vistas of otters cracking abalone on their bellies.","backpacker":"Free parking in the Highway 1 pullout means you can camp the night in a van if you're discreet; just don't leave trash or build fires. The beach itself costs nothing, and the cold water is bracingly free. Fill your water bottles at the public restrooms near the lot, then grab a breakfast burrito at East Village Coffee Lounge in Seaside for six dollars. MST Bus Route 1 runs along Highway 1 with a stop half a mile south—two-dollar fare gets you to downtown Monterey or up to Marina State Beach. Sleep cheap at the HI Monterey Hostel on Hawthorne Street, fifteen minutes south.","local":"Arrive before seven on weekday mornings when the beach belongs entirely to you, the seals, and maybe one other soul walking a black Lab. The cove at the far northern rocks—accessible only at minus tides—hides tide pools thick with ochre sea stars and lined shore crabs; most tourists never venture past the main strand. Locals know to check the hang-gliding schedule at Western Hang Gliders before planning a quiet afternoon—landing zones get crowded during training sessions. For the best beachcombing, hit the wrack line after winter king tides deposit sand dollars, whale vertebrae, and Japanese glass fishing floats.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Del Monte Dunes Beach is generally not recommended for swimming due to strong currents, cold water temperatures year-round, and occasional rip tides. The beach is better suited for walking, jogging, and beachcombing. If you do enter the water, stay in shallow areas and never swim alone. The beach has no lifeguard services, so exercise caution. The sandy shoreline and dunes make it ideal for picnicking and enjoying coastal views rather than water activities.","q":"Is Del Monte Dunes Beach safe for swimming?"},{"a":"Del Monte Dunes Beach is accessible year-round, with each season offering different experiences. Spring and fall typically bring mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer offers the warmest weather but can be foggy, especially mornings and evenings—classic Monterey coastal conditions. Winter sees fewer visitors and dramatic wave action. Early mornings any season provide the best chance for sunshine before afternoon fog rolls in. The beach is particularly beautiful at sunset when fog permits.","q":"What is the best time to visit Del Monte Dunes Beach?"},{"a":"Del Monte Dunes Beach is located along Del Monte Avenue in Monterey, between downtown Monterey and Seaside. Free street parking is available along Del Monte Avenue, though spaces can fill during weekends and holidays. The beach has multiple access points along the road, making it easy to find parking nearby. It's also accessible via the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, popular with cyclists and walkers. From Highway 1, take the Del Monte Avenue exit heading toward Monterey.","q":"How do I get to Del Monte Dunes Beach and where can I park?"},{"a":"Del Monte Dunes Beach has limited on-site amenities—no restrooms or food vendors directly at the beach. However, Del Monte Avenue has several restaurants and cafes within a short drive, and downtown Monterey is just minutes away with extensive dining options. Basic shopping and convenience stores are available in nearby Seaside. For lodging, numerous hotels and motels line Del Monte Avenue, offering ocean views and easy beach access. Bring your own supplies for beach visits.","q":"Are there restaurants and amenities near Del Monte Dunes Beach?"},{"a":"Yes, Del Monte Dunes Beach is dog-friendly and popular with local dog owners. Dogs must be leashed at all times according to Monterey regulations. The wide, sandy beach provides plenty of space for walking your pet, and the relatively uncrowded nature of this beach makes it ideal for dogs. Always clean up after your pet and bring waste bags. The beach's length allows for extended walks along the shore, making it a favorite spot for exercising dogs year-round.","q":"Can I bring my dog to Del Monte Dunes Beach?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Del Monte Dunes Beach: Monterey's Windswept Dog-Friendly Shore","description":"This half-mile stretch of tawny sand and rolling dunes sits between Fort Ord and Monterey Bay. Off-leash dogs roam free while hang gliders catch Pacific thermals overhead.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8177/29367299255_03c0498f72_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"509869","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8177/29367299255_03c0498f72_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8177/29367299255_03c0498f72.jpg","alt":"Monterey"},{"id":"509870","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/1619/26127569545_b9f4b7d5f5_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/1619/26127569545_b9f4b7d5f5.jpg","alt":"Cypress Point, 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, California"},{"id":"509871","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/1476/25854714330_77c3dd978b_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/1476/25854714330_77c3dd978b.jpg","alt":"Cypress Point, 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, California"},{"id":"509872","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3743/10748981055_fa6cb7c255_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3743/10748981055_fa6cb7c255.jpg","alt":"Navy Say Keep Out"}]}}