Find the best surfing in Moss Landing. Moss Landing is not much more than a couple of blocks of cafés and restaurants, art galleries, and studios, plus a busy fishing port, but therein lies its charm. It’s a fine place to overnight or stop for a meal and get a dose of nature. Moss Landing State Beach, off Highway One, offers a range of activities, including surfing and windsurfing, hiking, horseback riding and surf fishing. Birdwatchers will have plenty to see at Moss Landing State Beach. For a list of all the great beaches in the central California area, << Click Here >>.
With consistent world-class waves, Moss Landing State Beach is a popular surfing spot. Beginning surfers are advised to surf down at the jetty, while advanced surfers sometimes head for the area by the dunes. It is also one of the most popular surf fishing destinations in Monterey County.
Browse the galleries and shops, spend the day whale watching or walking the beach. There are beautiful and historic accommodations and the variety of restaurants is wonderful. Surfing is popular and there are special events held annually that should not be missed.
Moss Landing Weather – When to Visit
The best time to visit Moss Landing CA is between April and May. Spring offers warmer temperatures, fewer crowds and food festivals dishing out delectable eats, including Pebble Beach Food & Wine and the Artichoke Festival in Castroville. Summer is the most popular time to visit the Monterey Peninsula, but it can still be chilly, so bring a sweater regardless of the season. Fall is another good time to visit, but the likelihood of rain increases starting in October. Moss Landing’s central California location subjects it to mild temperatures during the winter, with the average low reaching 48 degrees. Winter also brings lower hotel prices and the celebrity-heavy AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am event held in February, making Moss Landing an attractive destination year-round.
Best Moss Landing Area Beaches
Moss Landing State Beach
Offshore fishing, surfing, windsurfing and horseback riding are popular activities. The beach is a favorite place for picnics because the dunes protect it from afternoon winds. This area is an important stop along the Pacific Flyway so bird watching is popular.
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Salinas River State Beach
The beach and dunes at Salinas River State Beach are part of Monterey Bay’s unique coastal dune system and it is home to many species of birds, including the California brown pelican, red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, western snowy plover, western gull, black phoebe, western scrub-jay, California towhee, white-crowned sparrow, and more. The beach is a popular fishing site.
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Marina State Beach
The beach area winds through the Marina Dunes Natural Preserves. The beach is known for hang-gliding. Radio-controlled gliders and kites are also popular. The beach is a favorite site for picnics. Water recreation is extremely hazardous due to strong rip currents.
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Zmudowski State Beach
The beach is a popular fishing area, featuring perch, kingfish, sole, flounder, halibut, bocaccio (tomcod), jacksmelt, lingcod, cabezon, salmon, steelhead and occasional rockfish. The beach features the Pajaro River estuary, where a natural preserve has been set aside. The sandy beach is also popular with bird watchers and equestrians. Horses are only allowed near the waterline. Swimming and water sports are hazardous because of strong rip-currents.
Salinas River State Beach – Potrero Entrance
The sandy beach here is long and wide and backed by dunes for most of its length. From the parking lot a trail meanders south in the dunes to the southern parking lot in Salinas River State Beach at Monterey Dunes Way. A wider path leads north from here all the way to the northern entrance near Moss Landing Harbor.
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Best Moss Landing Restaurants
Phil’s Fish Market $11 – 30
Located in the heart of Moss Landing, Phil’s Fish Market is a locally owned family business. They have been serving the finest local & sustainable seafood available for over 30 years. They were named #1 Best Beach Restaurant by BBC Travel, featured on Food Network and have been written up several times in Sunset magazine and many other magazines and newspapers. Telephone: 831-633-2152 Web: Phil’s Fish Market.
Whole Enchilada Restaurant $11 – 30
The Whole Enchilada is an upbeat restaurant with a harbor view specializing in fresh seafood from the Monterey Bay. Their relaxed harbor atmosphere with vibrant Mexican food will make you thirst for a cucumber margarita…or two. Telephone: 831-633-3038 Web: Whole Enchilada Restaurant.
Moss Landing Cafe $11 – 30
Located near the quaint little fishing harbor of Moss Landing, you cant help but notice the red and white restaurant with murals depicting the local areas beauty. The Moss Landing is credited with the best Fish Sandwiches in Monterey county. Fresh fish, fruit and vegetables are prepared daily and from local sources when possible. Enjoy their great Northern California Deep-Fried Artichokes, fresh Seafood and delicious Clam Chowder. Telephone: 831-633-3355 Web: Moss Landing Cafe.
The Haute Enchilada $11 – 30
The Haute Enchilada Cafe, Gallery & Social Club boasts an eclectic menu of sustainable seafood and local organic produce, wine and beer tasting, full bar plus an art gallery with local artists’ original work and live entertainment. From palate to palette the Haute Enchilada Cafe, Gallery & Social Club has something for everyone! Open daily from 11:00 a.m. for brunch, lunch and dinner. Telephone: 831-718-9122 Web: The Haute Enchilada.
Giorgio’s at 201 Main $11 – 30
Upscale, California fresh cuisine. Take a seat in their show kitchen or in fire-lit Tuscan Piazza. Featuring an award winning wine list and a highly renowned mixology menu, they offer 104 seats in the dining room, 38 bar seats, and 56 seats in the fire-lit piazza. Telephone: 831-800-7573 Web: Giorgio’s at 201 Main.
Best Moss Landing Bars
Moss Landing Inn
Eclectic. That best describes this nautical-themed Moss Landing bar that keeps loyal locals and curious travelers flowing in for hearty food, live music on the weekends, karaoke on Tuesdays, drought beers and the occasional amateur pole dance. Telephone: 831-633-9853 Web: Moss Landing Inn.
The Haute Enchilada
The Haute Enchilada Cafe, Gallery & Social Club boasts an eclectic menu of sustainable seafood and local organic produce, wine and beer tasting, full bar plus an art gallery with local artists’ original work and live entertainment. From palate to palette the Haute Enchilada Cafe, Gallery & Social Club has something for everyone! Open daily from 11:00 a.m. for brunch, lunch and dinner. Telephone: 831-718-9122 Web: The Haute Enchilada.
Whole Enchilada Restaurant
The Whole Enchilada is an upbeat restaurant with a harbor view specializing in fresh seafood from the Monterey Bay. Their relaxed harbor atmosphere with vibrant Mexican food will make you thirst for a cucumber margarita…or two. Telephone: 831-633-3038 Web: Whole Enchilada Restaurant.
Lemon Grass
Local seafood prepared Thai-style is on the long menu at an easygoing restaurant with a full bar. Telephone: 831-633-0700 Web: Lemon Grass.
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That quieter, less developed feel is definitely what draws people in, especially if you’re looking for something more peaceful. It works really well as a quick stop to enjoy the beach, grab a great seafood meal, and take in the scenery. At the same time, you can absolutely turn it into a longer stay if you enjoy nature, since there’s a mix of walking trails, wildlife, and nearby coastal spots to explore. It really depends on whether you’re passing through or looking to slow down for a couple of days.