MOSS LANDING STATE BEACH: Moss Landing
State Beach is a seaside community located north of Seaside on Highway
1 and a two-hour drive south of San Francisco. To the west of the beach
is Moss Landing Harbor, filled with boats, a rock jetty leading out
to the Pacific and a very cute, minuscule town, encompassing a post
office, antique shops, and restaurants. It is a superb spot for birding,
horseback riding, and offshore fishing or just enjoying a sunny beach
picnic. Some surfing and windsurfing can also be enjoyed, but with caution
due to the strong rip currents. There are sand dunes that help offer
protection from the wind, which makes picnicking a popular pastime.
Moss Landing Beach is also a stop along the Pacific for birds, so bird
watching is another popular activity.
SURF, TIDES, CLIMATE, WATER TEMPS: The
waters in this spot are full of powerful rip currents. It is recommended
that visitors do not swim or wade in these waters. The climate in the
Central Coast varies greatly and the Central Coast experiences moderate
temperatures year round with fog likely from June through mid-August.
Plan your coastal visit in the late summer or fall to guarantee the
best conditions for enjoyment. Also, occasional clear days between winter
and spring storms are incomparable. Areas further inland experience
greater temperature intensity, with relatively cooler winters and hot
summers.
BEACH ACTIVITIES: As previously mentioned,
wading or swimming is prohibited and surfing and windsurfing should
be done with caution. Moss Landing Beach is well-liked for fishing excursions,
surfing, bird watching with boat tours through the Elkhorn Slough (Whisper
Charters, 831-372-7616), kayaking, dining and antique hunting, the small
town provides a nice side trip, however, it does not offer much in the
way of overnight accommodations. For that, you will need to check into
nearby Monterey, Seaside or stay north in Santa Cruz 30 minutes away.
LOCAL FLAVORS: Due to the extremely small
town, there is not much of a local scene, so for other activities, you
will need to go south into Monterey or North to Santa Cruz.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS:
Boreas Yacht Race
BBQ, National Estuaries Day
Monterey Bay Bird Festival
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories Public Open House
by: Carla Iacovetti
©2006Carla Iacovetti |
