Sunset at Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Dune It Right

Watch a Beach Sunset at Ford Ord Dunes State Park in Monterey

Want a beach that will really get you away from it all? Fort Ord Dunes State Park is just the ticket. And it often glows golden toward sunset. Opened to the public in 2009, this less-known addition to the state parks system gives an impressive perspective of the half-moon shaped Monterey Bay.

Fort Ord was once an army training facility, and while there are remnants of its past and an audio tour available for more context and history, it’s been transformed into a recreational landscape, and a sublime place to watch ocean meet land at its beautiful beach.

Paraglider at Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Sunset at Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Sunset at Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Get a great perspective from the main parking lot, where a short ascent goes to a bird’s-eye view of the coast. Then stroll down to the beach via a short hike that starts on the paved recreation trail running north to south through the park (a favorite for bikers and walkers, and it’s dog-friendly).

Sunset at Fort Ord Dunes State Park

A sign points the way to a sandy trail leading down to the beach (no dogs here, sorry). At the beach stroll for a while or take a seat on driftwood. Soak in views all the way north to Santa Cruz and the peak of Loma Prieta and south to the Monterey Peninsula. The late-day sun spreads across the horizon, casting a marigold hue across the sand as pelicans coast the skies, buoyed by the sea breeze. Sand, salty air, sun … magic. 

Here's a map to Fort Ord Dunes State Park. Dog-friendly on the trails and parking area. No dogs on the beach.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

    View
  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Hidden Gems of Reno Tahoe

    Step into a land where adventure meets relaxation. Reno Tahoe is where the spirit of the great outdoors and the energy of vibrant city life inspire you to live with no limits.

    View
  2. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  3. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  4. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View