Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail (North)
About
Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail (North) is a public ocean beach on the California coast at Sand City, about a tenth of a mile from town. There is no fee to visit. Late summer into early fall is the most comfortable stretch, with typical highs around 67 to 68°F and only a couple of wet days a month in August and September, according to averages from a nearby weather station in Monterey. Winter brings the coolest and wettest weather, with highs near 58 to 59°F and about 10 or 11 wet days a month from December through February. For time on foot nearby, Library Statue Trail sits about 2.4 miles away, and Pine Trail, Lower Ridge Trail and Earl Moser Trail are all around 4 miles off.
Beach Details
Lifeguards
None
Parking
None at the access
Fee
Free
Restrooms
None
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail (North)
California
Data: California Coastal Commission, YourCoast public access data. Source metadata
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: Mar–Nov. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 61–68°F and lows of 46–55°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Monterey Wfo, CA weather station, 2 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.
- Jan59° high43° low
- Feb59° high44° low
- Mar61° high46° low
- Apr61° high47° low
- May63° high50° low
- Jun65° high52° low
- Jul66° high54° low
- Aug67° high55° low
- Sep68° high54° low
- Oct67° high51° low
- Nov63° high46° low
- Dec58° high43° low
Nearby
Library Statue TrailHikingPhoto: Matt_B13, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)2.4 mi- Pine TrailHiking4 mi
- Lower Ridge TrailHiking4.1 mi
- Earl Moser TrailHiking4.1 mi
- Sage TrailHiking4.1 mi
- Madrone TrailHiking4.2 mi
- Ceanothus TrailHiking4.3 mi
- Iris TrailHiking4.3 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Best time to visit Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail (North)
Best months: Year-round. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
59° / 43°
11 wet
Feb
59° / 44°
11 wet
Mar
61° / 46°
10 wet
Apr
61° / 47°
7 wet
May
63° / 50°
4 wet
Jun
65° / 52°
2 wet
Jul
66° / 54°
1 wet
Aug
67° / 55°
2 wet
Sep
68° / 54°
2 wet
Oct
67° / 51°
4 wet
Nov
63° / 46°
8 wet
Dec
58° / 43°
10 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Monterey Wfo, CA, 2 mi away at 122 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
