Carmel-by-the-Sea Travel Updates
Please stay informed and visit responsibly.
September 6, 2026
Carmel-by-the-Sea and the surrounding Monterey Peninsula are open and welcoming visitors as per usual, however there is an alert regarding Big Sur:
Highway 1 South to Big Sur and beyond
Highway 1 is closed from Post Mile 45 (just south of the Big Sur Post Office) down to Post Mile 0.0 at the Monterey/San Luis Obispo County line to facilitate firefighting and evacuation operations related to the Timber and Plaskett Fires. Visitors traveling to or from Monterey County are encouraged to avoid Highway 1 in this area and use an alternate route via Highway 101. There are some Big Sur businesses that are open for carefully-planned, responsible visitation. Please call ahead. For real-time updates regarding the Timber Fire, visit the CAL FIRE website and Monterey County's Department of Emergency Management.
Carmel Beach
Watch for safety warning signs and temporary barriers limiting access to sections of Carmel Beach. There may be pathways that are washed out and unsafe.There are specific rules about fires on Carmel Beach, depending on time of year, and they are enforced. Visit here for more details and beach rules.
Monterey Regional Airport
Monterey Regional Airport is open with direct flight service from Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Dallas, Las Vegas, Denver, Seattle, Minneapolis (seasonal) Portland (seasonal), Burbank (seasonal), and Orange County (seasonal). A nonstop flight from Chicago on United Airlines begins in May 2026. You can book your flight now! Visit here for more details.