Carmel Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carmel Bay |
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 Carmel Bay
Location in California
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| Location | Monterey County, California |
| Coordinates | 36°32′36″N 121°57′17″W / 36.54333°N 121.95472°W |
| River sources | Carmel River |
| Ocean/sea sources | Pacific Ocean |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 4 miles (6.4 km) |
| Max. width | 2 miles (3.2 km) |
| Settlements | Carmel-by-the-Sea, California |
Carmel Bay is a beautiful bay located on the central coast of California. It's part of the huge Pacific Ocean. This bay is about 4 miles (6.4 km) long and 2 miles (3.2 km) wide. Its entrance is about 3 miles (4.8 km) across.
Carmel Bay is found in Monterey County, California. Just north of it is the much larger Monterey Bay. The famous city of Carmel-by-the-Sea sits right next to Carmel Bay. You can also find Carmel City Beach and Carmel River State Beach along its shores. The wildlife here is mostly protected by the 'Carmel Bay Ecological Reserve'.
Contents
Protecting Ocean Life in Carmel Bay
What are Marine Protected Areas?
Imagine an underwater park! That's kind of what a marine protected area is. These special areas in the ocean are set aside to protect ocean wildlife and their homes. California has created several of these areas, including some in Carmel Bay.
Carmel Bay's Protected Zones
- Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA): This entire area under Carmel Bay is protected.
- Carmel Pinnacles State Marine Reserve (SMR): Part of this reserve is also under Carmel Bay.
- Point Lobos State Marine Reserve (SMR): Another part of this reserve extends into Carmel Bay.
These protected areas, along with the nearby 'Point Lobos State Marine Conservation Area', cover almost 17 square miles (44 sq km) of water. They help keep the ocean healthy and safe for all the creatures living there. In most of these areas, it's not allowed to take any living things from the ocean. However, in the 'Carmel Bay SMCA', people can do some recreational fishing for certain fish. Also, a small amount of giant kelp and bull kelp can be harvested by hand with a special permit.
How Carmel Bay Got Its Name
The first Europeans to see Carmel Bay were Spanish sailors. This happened in 1542, led by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. They sailed along the California coast but didn't land.
Later, in 1602, another Spanish explorer named Sebastián Vizcaíno arrived. He named a nearby river "Rio de Carmelo." He did this to honor the three Carmelite priests who were with him on his trip. Since this river flows into the bay, the names "Carmelo" and "Carmel" were later used for the bay itself. They were also used for a mission, the town, and other places nearby.
Weather in Carmel Bay
The area around Carmel Bay has a cool summer Mediterranean climate. This is common for many coastal parts of California.
The wet season usually runs from October to May. Summers are often cloudy, with a special kind of fog called a marine layer. This fog can sometimes even cause a light drizzle. The best weather of the year is usually in September and October. This time is often called "Indian Summer." During these months, the average high temperature is around 72°F (22°C).
On average, Carmel-by-the-Sea gets about 15 inches (38 cm) of rain each year. The average temperature throughout the year is about 57°F (14°C).
Images for kids
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Carmel Bay on a sunny afternoon
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Carmel Bay from Carmel Point
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Carmel Bay from Scenic Road
