Viewing Wildlife along the Monterey Coast
Zmudowski State Beach
At the mouth of the Pajaro River on the north end of the beach is an estuary frequented by a variety of birds. Likely you will see brown pelicans along with several types of terns and gulls.
In the dunes Snowy Plovers nest from February to September and use the dunes as a rookery all year long. Hiding in the dunes you might see a black legless lizard or a Santa Cruz long-toed salamander.
Moss Landing Beach
Visitors to Moss Landing Beach are often rewarded with sightings of a variety of marine mammals from sea lions to sea otters. The best places for viewing are near the mouth of the Elkhorn Slough where they tend to congregate. It's not usual to spot rafts of sea otters in the harbor channel or individuals on the beach.
Birders will sight pelicans, sea ducks, loons, grebes, and many other species at the nearby 728-acre Moss Landing Wildlife Area on the north side of Elkhorn Slough. Access the wildlife area across Highway 1 from the Elkhorn Yacht Club. The salt ponds and salt marshes provide habitat for all kinds of wildlife.
Salinas River State Beach
Like all the other beaches in the area, the dunes are habitat to western Snowy Plovers. Caspian terns also use the vegetated dunes for nesting from April through August. Near the mouth of the Salinas River keep an eye out for the short-eared owl. More often spotted at Salinas Beach are brown pelicans.
Leatherback sea turtles swim just offshore from May through November. Pismo clams are buried in the intertidal zone sand. In the kelp beds offshore look for sea otter.
Marina State Beach
Western Snowy Plovers nest in the dunes. Brown pelicans fish the water just offshore. Sea otters like the kelp beds.
Snowy Plover
Swimming and Surfing
While strong rip currents at the Dunes Beaches makes swimming very dangerous, experienced surfers take to the waves at many of the beaches. Most of the best surfing is done in the morning when the winds are lighter.
Zmudowski State Beach:
Moss Landing State Beach: Especially popular with local surfers. Right and left beach break. Swells known to reach more than 10 feet.
Less experienced surfers usually stick to the area near the jetty.
Marina State Beach: known for consistent waves, usually 3 to 5 feet. Sharks are a concern here.
Horseback Riding on the Beach
Several of the Dunes Beaches allow horseback riding. At Zmudowski State Beach riders must keep to the wet sand along the water line, while at Moss Landing and Salinas River beaches riders can enjoy the whole beach. Marina State Beach does not allow horseback riding.
Monterey Bay Equestrian Center
The Monterey Bay Equestrian Center offers guided rides on Salinas River State Beach. For groups as small
as 2 and for riders of varying abilities, the Equestrian Center will tailor a ride to meet your needs. Rides
are from one to two hours. Riders must be at least 8 years old.
Monterey Bay Equestrian Center
Seahorse Equestrian Tours
Seahorse Equestrian Tours leads trips on both Zmudowski State Beach and Moss Landing Beach. Among their
outings is a popular Sunset Ride.
Seahorse Equestrian Tours
Fishing
The coast of northern Monterey County provides some of the best surf fishing in the area. Among the fish most often caught are surfperch, kingfish, sole, jacksmelt, surf smelt, striped bass, California halibut.
Most surf anglers report their best success in the early morning or that last hour before dusk. Fishing on the incoming tide when fish are feeding increases odds of success.
