On
Monterey Bay, the mile long beach features a bird sanctuary in a lagoon with a wide variety of waterfowl and songbirds. Monastery Beach, also known as
San Jose Creek Beach, is part of the park and is popular with scuba divers. Ocean swimming and wading are very dangerous. The park is located, from Highway One in
Carmel, 1 mile south of Ocean Avenue, turn right on Rio Road, going toward the Carmel Mission, turn left off Carmelo Street to the parking lot.