Monterey State Beach - Del Monte is a shore accessible salt water dive site, located in Monterey, CA. This dive site has an average rating of 3.36 out of 5 from 11 scuba divers.
Monterey State Beach (also called Del Monte, named after the adjacent road) is a perfect place for new divers. Restrooms, showers, and picnic areas make this a great place to spend the day. You may want to dive this site on a weekday, or arrive very early on a weekend. The parking can be almost impossible otherwise. Be prepared to spot octopus and flounder!
From Highway 1 in Monterey, take the Camino Aguajito exit North. You’ll see the Park at the intersection of Del Monte Ave.
Del Monte Beach is a sandy beach with a gradually sloping bottom. The depths in close are up to 40 feet or so, but if you go out about ¼ mile, the bottom drops down to about 80 feet, and the sand gradually gives way to a fairly well defined reef system. This beach is very protected and a good place to do a tune up dive. If you want to bang some flatties (spear halibut) this is the beach for you. I usually tow my kayak with the bow line tied to my spear gun and just cruise looking for the big ones.
To get to Del Monte Beach take the Pacific Grove / Del Monte Avenue turnoff and follow Del Monte Avenue until you get to the public parking lot adjacent to Monterey Bay Kayaks (almost directly across from McDonalds restaurant). This is a great spot for beach diving or small boat/kayak launch.
The visibility at this beach can be marginal, but as you get further out it seems to clear up quite a bit. There is a sunken sailboat just off the beach about 100 yards or so to the right of Monterey Bay Kayaks
http://www.scubamonterey.com/infoadelmonte.html
http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/CalN/Monterey_State/index.htm