The California Coastal Trail at Carmel-By-The-Sea

Carmel Beach

The California Coastal Trail (CCT) is a network of public trails along the 1200-mile coastline of Alta California—border-to-border between Oregon and Baha California [1]. The interconnected trail system has not yet been fully completed. Presently, it offers recreational access to sandy beaches, hidden coves and rugged bluffs at many coastal hot spots as well as peaceful retreats.  

Carmel-By-The-Sea in Central California definitely is a coastal hot spot; attracting both, human recreationists and marine life offshore. Here, you can walk along the iconic white-sand beach, wade the surfline, or stroll on bluff and dune walkways. The bluff-top pathway follows the coastline. Stairways connect the bluffs to the beach [2-4].

At the beach overlook platform (located above Carmel Sunset Beach at the end of Ocean Ave) you can watch scenic Carmel Bay—sweeping your view from the northside Pebble Beach Hole 7 (bring a spyglass) to the Point Lobos peninsula in the south. 

Beach & bay overlook platform 

The dunes north of the platform are classified as an environmentally sensitive habitat, home to endangered species. Dune restoration began in 2009 “to correct a century of human disturbance which has greatly altered the state natural state of the dunes” (see the “Carmel North Dunes” panel). The panel further says that under supervision of a dunes restoration biologist a self-sustaining natural dunes ecosystem with thriving populations of native species was recreated. Invasive non-native plant were eliminated.

The original dune scrub included low plant and shrubs adapted to fog, shifting sands, wind and salt. A larger forest once edged the area with trees such as Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) —“Carmel North Dunes” panel.

Now it's up to you to find out what is left of the botanical heritage and how shifting times and shifting sands reshape our surroundings. 

North dunes area with old trees and young ball players

Map

California Coastal Trail @ Carmel Beach. MapQuest: https://www.mapquest.com/us/california/california-coastal-trail--carmel-beach-651299659.

Continue exploring

[1] Welcome to the California Coastal Trail. URL: https://californiacoastaltrail.org/.

[2] Carmel Beach, Carmel (must see). GPSmyCity. URL: https://www.gpsmycity.com/attractions/carmel-beach-40440.html.

[3] North Dunes. City of Carmel-By-The-Sea. URL: https://ci.carmel.ca.us/post/north-dunes.

[4] Exploring California's Marine Protected Areas: Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area. Marine Management News. URL: https://cdfwmarine.wordpress.com/2021/04/02/exploring-californias-marine-protected-areas-carmel-bay-state-marine-conservation-area/.