directions to monastery beach

Directions to Monastery Beach
(From the Santa Clara/San Jose Area)
Drive time: 1 hour, 40 minutes

1. Take Highway 101 SOUTH (Towards Salinas/Los Angeles)
   Once you pass under the Capital Expressway Bridge (South San Jose), the mileage to the Highway 156 WEST Exit is 44 miles
     
2. Take the Highway 156 WEST Exit (To Monterey Peninsula)
    
3. Highway 156 WEST will turn into Highway 1 SOUTH after 9 miles
    
4. Stay on Highway 1 SOUTH for 22 miles (you will go past the town of Carmel). The last stop light that you will come to on Hihway 1 is Rio Road. Drive for one mile on Highway 1 and you will come to Monestary Beach. The beach is almost one mile wide. You may park along the ocean side of Highway 1. 

NOTE: A landmark that will confirm that you are at the correct beach is that directly across the street from the beach is a Monastery, thus the name Monastery Beach

If you drive too far you will come to Point Lobos State Park.  Turn around and go back about one mile