Monterey District
Prescribed Burn Scheduled for March 25th - 27th
STUDENT ART SHOWCASE AT CASA GUTIERREZ GALLERY
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 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
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!
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)
Monterey SB
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
2025 California State Parks Pass Sales
2025 Passes are now available for purchase from the Monterey District Office. The pass price list is below.
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, Senior Golden Bear, and Disabled Discount passes
Monday through Friday during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
At this time the Monterey District Office is accepting payment for pass sales and renewals by credit card, cash* or check ONLY.
*When paying in cash, exact change is required.
For more information, please contact the Monterey District Front Office at (831) 649-2836.
2025 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
Annual Passes
California Explorer $195.00
Golden Poppy Pass $125.00
Calendar Year Passes
Golden Bear (2025 only) $0.00
Senior 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 at Asilomar State Beach ONLY. 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. 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.
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.
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!!

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/