Monterey District
Celebrate July 4th at Monterey State Historic Park after the Parade!!
WELCOME TO MONTEREY DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS
Welcome to the California State Parks - Monterey District website!
We hope to provide information on this site to welcome and prepare our visitors to the beautiful Monterey District State Parks!
For your safety, appointments for State Parks Pass purchases, or other business, are recommended. Please call (831) 649-2836. If you reach our voicemail, please leave a message and we will return your call. Thank you for your patience!
Monterey District Front Office Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Please note: Office is closed on all recognized California State holidays.
NO Public Restrooms Available.
TELEPHONE: (831) 649-2836
FAX: (831) 647-6239
MAILING ADDRESS: 2211 Garden Road, Monterey, CA 93940
Brent Marshall - Monterey District Superintendent: (831) 649-2836
MONTEREY DISTRICT STATE PARKS - WHAT'S OPEN??
PLEASE CHECK individual park unit webpages for Monterey District Parks in the below list for the most current OPEN/CLOSE updates at the top of each park unit page.
Travelers to the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur are encouraged to visit the CalTrans website to get updates on current road conditions for the region: https://roads.dot.ca.gov
Thank you for your patience as we prioritize public safety!
BIG SUR STATE PARKS RE-OPENINGThe Highway 1 project was successful, and access has been restored to Big Sur beginning FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024.
Significant delays for access can be expected due to the new traffic signal, but the public is allowed into Big Sur at this time.
The advanced date for opening has allowed people to access the Big Sur area earlier than expected, providing opportunities for local businesses and a return to normal for park visitors.
California State Parks is supporting the Governor’s Office and the Big Sur community by opening all recreational activities as soon as possible. Big Sur State Parks will be open to camping on Thursday, May 23rd so that people may enjoy the State Park system in a safe, responsible, and enjoyable manner.
Some of the lodges and private campgrounds may be open this weekend. We encourage visitors to look for overnight accommodation in the surrounding area, including the Big Sur Lodge, which is currently taking guest reservations. However, the soonest we can responsibly provide camping opportunities will be May 23rd. We apologize for any inconvenience over the next seven days due to the earlier than anticipated opening date.
State Parks is proud to have been a significant contributing agency to the emergency response effort following the Hwy 1 road slip out. During the closure, we provided equipment staging facilities, emergency response, medical evacuation areas, and facilities for the community members that were temporarily stranded in Big Sur. We are now shifting our operations from emergency support back to our regular campground activities. We want to thank you for your understanding as we work diligently to return to normal operations.
Photo Credit: County of Monterey
NOTE: Highway 1 is still closed to the south 5 miles south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns. Please see the Highway 1 closure info and maps on our websites.
Highway 1 remains closed between Dolan Point and Limekiln Creek. While motorists on Highway 1 can now drive to the Limekiln State Park entrance gate from the Cambria/San Simeon area, the park remains closed.
For current highway closures and conditions please visit CalTrans - Road Conditions Map
Always check area weather forecasts and road updates before visiting. NOAA Weather- Big Sur
MONTEREY DISTRICT STATE PARKS
Please visit the individual webpage for the State Park you are interested in learning about:
Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds
Includes Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve
Carmel River SB
Includes Ohlone Cultural Preserve
Includes Carmel River Lagoon & Wetlands Natural Preserve
Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP (ca.gov)
Limekiln SP (ca.gov)
Includes Marina Dunes Natural Preserve
Point Sur SHP (ca.gov)
Includes Point Sur Dunes Natural Preserve
Salinas River SB (ca.gov)
Includes Salinas River Dunes Natural Preserve
Includes Salinas River Mouth Natural Preserve
Zmudowski SB (ca.gov)
Includes Pajaro River Mouth Natural Preserve
2024 California State Parks Pass Sales
20234Passes are now available for purchase from the Monterey District Office. The pass price list is below.
NOTE: Day Use Passes are available at the entrance kiosks of the park you want to visit. Day Use Passes are NOT sold at the District Office.
The California State Parks Monterey District Front Office conducts CA State Parks Pass sales and renewals 
at our customer service window located adjacent to the District Office front entrance.
We are selling the California Explorer, Golden Poppy, Golden Bear, Limited Use Golden Bear, and Disabled Discount passes
Monday through Friday, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
At this time the Monterey District Office is accepting payment for pass sales and renewals by cash*, credit card, or check.
*When paying in cash exact change is required.
For more information, please contact the Monterey District Front Office at (831) 649-2836.
2024 California State Parks Pass Price List
Please Note:
Appointments are recommended for State Parks Pass sales. To schedule an appointment please call: (831) 649-2836
Full Price Annual Passes
California Explorer $195.00
Golden Poppy Pass $125.00
Discount Annual Passes
Please Note: The Golden Bear Pass/Limited Use Golden Bear Pass will automatically extend through 2023, with no action required by passholders.
Golden Bear $0.00
(2023 only)
Limited Use Golden Bear $20.00
Disabled Discount Pass $3.50
Link for More Information
Link for More Information
Be "In The Know": Alcohol, Bonfires and Pets at California State Parks Beaches
IS ALCOHOL ALLOWED AT STATE BEACHES?
Alcohol consumption is not allowed at these Monterey District State Beaches/State Parks: Asilomar State Beach; Fort Ord Dunes State Beach; Monterey State Historic Park. Alcohol consumption is allowed at other state beaches as long as alcohol is not within 25 feet of the parking lot, or in the parking lot. Please check with local municipalities regarding alcohol consumption at non-State Park Monterey Peninsula beaches.
ARE BONFIRES ALLOWED AT STATE BEACHES?
Bonfires are NOT allowed on State Beaches due to environmental and safety concerns. Portable camp stoves, such as Hibachi or Weber, are permitted for food preparation and consumption on site. Persons using approved devices for cooking must remove all unexpected fuel (coals, briquettes, etc.) from the beach. Dumping hot coals and ash, and burying in the sand not only harms the environment, but can potentially harm other beach goers.
YOUR HELP is needed to keep our beautiful beaches CLEAN and SAFE by packing out trash. Trash receptacles are located at beach entries for your convenience.
CAN I BRING PETS TO STATE BEACHES?
Dogs are allowed ON leash at Asilomar State Beach, Carmel River State Beach, and on paved trails at Fort Ord Dunes State Park.
Please consider families with infants and young children who frequent the beach when walking dogs. You are required to keep your dog under control and we ask that you pick up after your pet.
THANK YOU for keeping out beautiful beaches CLEAN and SAFE for ALL!! To learn more about CA State Parks' policy regarding dogs at State Parks visit or Dog at Parks page.
NOTE: Dogs are NOT allowed on the beaches at Zmudowski, Moss Landing, Salinas River, Marina, Fort Ord Dunes, Seaside, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, and Garrapata park units. Many of these beaches are home to nesting sites for the Western Snowy Plover. Point Lobos is a State Reserve with highly protected habitat areas that do not allow for visitation with pets.
CA State Parks 4th Grade Adventurer Pass
The CA State Parks Adventurer Pass is available for the free, one-year period during which your child is a 4th grader/4th grade equivalent, from September 1 through August 31 of that grade school year.
Monterey State Historic Park joins the list of eligible parks in 2024!!
For more information please visit: Adventure Pass (ca.gov)
NOTE: Passes are acquired via online registration and are not available at the Monterey District Office. Point Lobos and the Big Sur State Parks are not included in this pass.
SCHOOLS desiring to visit any Monterey District State Park are strongly encouraged to contact that Park Unit's office before your arrival for park information and to prevent overlap with previously scheduled school visits.
NEW - California State Parks Virtual Adventurer App Debuts at Point Lobos!!
We’re excited to announce the launch of The California State Parks Virtual Adventurer App, your interactive guide to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and other California State Parks’ history and natural environment!Marine Protected Area Coloring Book - Area Marina Protegida - Libro Para Colorear
Embark on a journey of discovery about Marine protection in a fun and easy way!!
The Marine Protected Areas Coloring Book - Area Marina Protegida - Libro Para Colorear - helps students of all ages learn about the rich diversity of plant and animal life found in California's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The book includes three new 3D augmented reality coloring pages that will allow students to interact with their colorings using a smartphone or tablet while learning about marine life and California's marine protected areas.
Download the new marine protected area (MPA) coloring book along with the California Coastal Explorer Guide at:
https://www.mpacollaborative.org/kids/