Outdoors
Lakes, rivers and recreation areas near Carmel-by-the-Sea where fishing is allowed, closest first.
Good to know: Anyone 16 or older generally needs a state fishing license; seasons, limits and special rules vary by water. California license information ↗
4 mi northeast · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the most spectacular marine protected areas. This sanctuary also has one of the largest underwater canyons and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments.
14 mi northeast · Fish and Wildlife Service
This 367-acre coastal National Wildlife Refuge is located where the Salinas River empties into Monterey Bay.
33 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service
Arroyo Seco Campground is a semi-rustic, but developed facility in California's westernmost national forest.
Map of 17 places loads as you scroll.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the most spectacular marine protected areas. This sanctuary also has one of the largest underwater canyons and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments.
This 367-acre coastal National Wildlife Refuge is located where the Salinas River empties into Monterey Bay.
Arroyo Seco Campground is a semi-rustic, but developed facility in California's westernmost national forest.
San Justo Dam and Reservoir are features of the San Felipe Project. The reservoir is approximately 3 miles southwest of Hollister, California . Facilities open for use Wednesday through Sunday. Operation hours: sunrise to sunset.
Kirk Creek Campground is an oceanside paradise, with each site overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It offers a variety of opportunities for relaxation and recreation.
Ponderosa Campground offers visitors a beautiful location to relax and enjoy nature. It runs along the Nacimiento River, which provides a variety of recreational opportunities.
Plaskett Creek Campground offers a beautiful location just minutes from Sand Dollar Beach, one of the largest and most popular beaches in central California.
Recreation facilities at San Luis Lake were constructed under a cost-share agreement between the Bureau of Reclamation and the State of Colorado during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Recreation area lakes include O'Neill Forebay, San Luis Reservoir, and Los Banos Creek Reservoir.
O'Neill Dam and Forebay are joint Federal-State facilities located on San Luis Creek 2.5 miles downstream from San Luis Dam. O'Neill Forebay Dam is a feature of the Central Valley Project - San Joaquin Division - San Luis Unit .
The Los Banos Dam and Reservoir are on Los Banos Creek above the San Luis Canal, near Los Banos, California. The dam and reservoir are features on the Central Valley Project - San Luis Unit .
Little Panoche Dam is a feature of the Central Valley Project - San Luis Unit . The area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Access by foot only. Parking lot provided. Nearest main highway, I-5.
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in a vast cultural and natural landscape.
The San Luis National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 26,800 acres of wetlands, riparian woodlands, native grasslands, and vernal pools. A thriving population of endemic tule elk is showcased on one of three auto tour routes.
Aquatic Park Cove is a vibrantly urban harbor that mimics a natural anchorage and is located on the Pacific shores of one of America's great West Coast cities.
Kirby Cove is located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge at historic Battery Kirby. Visitors are awarded breathtaking views of San Francisco, its famous Golden Gate Bridge, and the rugged Pacific Coast of northern California.
Cerro Alto Campground is a well-known hiking and mountain biking paradise. It is located a short distance from the sandy beaches of Morro Bay, where visitors enjoy surfing, fishing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and more.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by Renu Cherry.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by Visit Carmel.
Watch on YouTube ↗
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), about 4 miles northeast of Carmel-by-the-Sea as the crow flies. Next are Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge (14 mi) and Arroyo Seco (33 mi).
Yes, anglers 16 and older generally need a California fishing license from the state wildlife agency. Rules, seasons and limits vary by water.
Federal agencies including Bureau of Reclamation, USDA Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.