Moss Landing State Beach. January 11, 2022.
Moss Landing, CA. If you don’t know which one Moss Landing State Beach is it’s the one right underneath these things.
On a clear day you can basically see these from Honolulu. This is the Moss Landing Power Plant.
Moss Landing State Beach can sometimes get lost in the discussion of best beaches. Smack dab in the middle of Monterey Bay, it’s like the middle child between Carmel Beach and Natural Bridges State Beach. It may not have the incredible scenery that it’s siblings boast, but there’s so much to do in that area that you can easily plan an entire day in Moss Landing. Click here to see the official Moss Landing chamber of commerce website.
The easily accessible beach is located right off Highway 1 on Jetty Rd. As soon as you turn onto Jetty Road you’ll want to slow down immediately because you are now in otter country (plus there’s speed humps). Moss Landing may in fact be the otter capital of the world. If you are not completely sick of otters by the time you leave (or even finish reading this blog) I’d be surprised.
Here’s a crab who’s definitely sick of otters.
Parking is abundant and free along Jetty Road although the road can sometimes be covered in sand because of the big dunes that separate the marina from the beach. Once you’ve parked you can walk along the waterfront and watch for birds and otters. I can guarantee seals, brown pelicans, cormorants, and otter sightings.
Once you’ve had your fill of otters you can walk along the actual jetty where the boats come and go and make your way to the beach. Something that Moss Landing State Beach has that Carmel Beach and Natural Bridges State Beach doesn’t is length. If you like to take long walks on long beaches come on down to Moss. You can walk almost 3 miles to the next beach (Zmudowski State Beach) to the north. That’s almost a six mile round trip!
Looking south across the jetty at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI).
North towards Watsonville and eventually Santa Cruz.
I recommend this beach for families with kids of all ages, proposals, engagements, and weddings. Because of the beach’s length it’s easy to find a spot to take photos without strangers in the background. Let’s be honest, the photos of you or your family need to be of only you or your family.
Not only are there miles of beach but we can also change it up and shoot on the jetty. This can be very picturesque with the whale watching and fishing boats moving in and out of the harbor behind you.
These photos were taken on the jetty at Moss Landing State Beach.
The Rachel Carson coming into port (MBARI).
Also, no other beach on this list will have the abundance of animals that you’ll find in and around Moss Landing State Beach. Your photos will almost certainly include some form of wildlife. In fact, directly across Highway 1 from the beach is a trail that will take you into Elkhorn Slough. It’s a very flat, easy walk and you don’t have to hike far to see wildlife. I took the photos below in this area.
Great blue heron hunting in Elkhorn Slough.
A snowy egret using his head.
If kayaking or paddle boarding are your thing, Monterey Bay Kayaks has got you covered. There you can rent single or double person kayaks and paddle into the slough. If you enjoy sea and shore birds, the slough is for you. There’s also plenty of opportunities for otter sightings inside the slough as well. Monterey Bay Kayaks are open 9-5 daily but make sure to check their website or call them for rental availability.
If you’d like to explore the Elkhorn Slough without having to paddle you can book a Slough Tour with Monterey Bay Eco Tours or Elkhorn Slough Safari. Both of these agencies will take you out on a small craft while you take in the scenic estuary. This tour is perfect for all ages and you can even book a private charter if you like. Check each of their websites for details. If you’d like me to come along with you to photograph your slough tour we can do this!
Seen here: Elkhorn Slough Safari, Monterey Bay Kayaks, otters, seals, and bird life. That’s how they do in the slough.
When renting from Monterey Bay Kayaks, you must paddle underneath Highway 1 to get into Elkhorn Slough.
If, by this time, you are entirely sick of otters and want to see something more impressive, there are a couple options for whale watching tours and even sportfishing. You can’t miss with any of these agencies listed in no particular order:
All of these agencies can be found in the south end of the main harbor. Make sure to book in advance! I took the photos below on a cruise with Sea Goddess Whale Watching.
For lunch or dinner I highly recommend Whole Enchilada. It’s right on Highway 1 and Moss Landing Road in the shadow of the Moss Landing power plant. With a $$ rating it is very affordable and good for the kids. Make sure to get after their margaritas (not good for the kids)!
John Ruddock is a professional photographer based in Salinas, CA. John grew up on the coast in Half Moon Bay and has spent over 30 years on the beautiful California Central Coast. He photographs weddings, engagements, families, sports, and landscapes from Half Moon Bay to Big Sur. Contact him today to book your session! You can also buy prints of his best images right here.
