Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Moss Landing State Beach adventure.
Wildlife, surf, and picnics are the big draws at this dune-backed Monterey Coast beach.
Situated on a peninsula between the ocean and Bennett Slough, Moss Landing State Beach features a long sandy beach backed by sand dunes. Surfing, windsurfing, offshore fishing, kayaking, and horseback riding are popular activities here. Its proximity to Elkhorn Slough, one of California’s largest wetlands, also makes it a great destination for birdwatching and wildlife spotting, including sea otters, sea lions, and hundreds of bird species. Sheltered picnic spots offer great views of Monterey Bay. There’s no camping here, but plentiful options can be found along the Monterey Coast, including at Seacliff, New Brighton, Manresa, and Sunset state beaches.
Moss Landing is pleasant year round. Kayaking is better over the summer when the waters are calmer, while larger waves make winter ideal for surfing. In the spring, parts of the beach may be closed when snowy plovers are nesting. Spring is a good time to look for wildflowers in the dunes, and otter and seal pups in the slough. Look for migrating gray whales from December through May and humpback whales from March through December. The Elkhorn Slough reserve is open from Wednesdays through Sundays and free docent-led tours are offered on the weekends.