Surf: Decent sandbar peaks up and down the beach. Best with medium-high tides and small, clean, wedgy swells. Lots of room for everyone. There is an extremely rocky point at the southern end, which is occasionally rideable and gets crowded. Rocky point a half mile south serves up the best waves amid ample portions of local attitude. Offshore with E wind. Environment: Accessed at the end of Ocean Avenue through Carmel; park on the road by the picturesque beach. Famous for sunsets, the Pebble Beach golf course, Clint Eastwood, and exorbitant prices. Surf: General: One of the prettiest beaches in the world. The sand at Carmel Beach is fine and white and squeaky clean, and sometimes the surf is, too. There are peaks all along this half-mile beach, which change constantly and are best from October to July. The spots are 4th Street, 8th Street and 11th Street. The water is electric blue. Carmel Beach is hit or miss. The kelp and cove protect it from winds, so it can be offshore when everywhere else is blown out. Every now and then, there are serious tubes to be had. It's all just a matter of looking. Tides: Incoming to high, but it varies with bottom conditions. Size: Waist high-overhead Wind: E and SE. Somewhat sheltered from NW winds. Swell: W, NW, SW Bottom: Sand. Very pretty sand. Some rocks. Paddling: Depends on size but generally a lot of paddling, especially when overhead. Spot Rating: Good. Access: Easy, parking at the end of Ocean Avenue, if you can get a spot. Good luck if it's a weekend or holiday. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Can get crowded when it's good, but there's a lot of room. Local Vibe: A little vibey. Environment: Clean. Hazards: Getting hit by the heavy shorepound. Season: October-July