01
Best overall pick
Moss Landing State Beach
Harbor Side Of Moss Landing • Windy, Wildlife-Rich State Beach • Best Mix Of Scenery And Access
Wide sands by the harbor jetty with easy parking, steady surf, and reliable marine life watching.
This is the go-to beach when you roll into Moss Landing and want a classic local experience without much planning. From the jetty you can watch fishing boats, sea otters, and harbor seals working the same channel, with surfers often riding the break just offshore. Expect strong currents and plenty of wind; this spot is more about walking, watching, and photographing than swimming.
02
Best for long walks
Salinas River State Beach
South Of Moss Landing Along Highway 1 • Undeveloped Dune-Backed Beach • Best For Long, Quiet Walks
Miles of straight shoreline and dunes give this beach a wide-open, away-from-town feel just minutes from Moss Landing.
Accessed via a short drive south, this stretch feels surprisingly remote given how close it is to Highway 1. The sand seems to run on forever, making it a favorite for people who like to walk into the wind until the crowds drop away. Bring layers and plan for minimal amenities; you come here for space, surf noise, and big sky, not services.
03
Quietest escape
Zmudowski State Beach
North Of Moss Landing Near Pajaro Farmlands • Remote, Windswept Shoreline • Best For Solitude And Birding
A tucked-away beach at the end of farm roads, with lagoon birdlife and often very few other visitors.
Reaching Zmudowski means driving past artichoke and strawberry fields to a dead-end road, which naturally keeps the crowds light. A brackish lagoon behind the dunes attracts herons, egrets, and seasonal migratory birds, making it rewarding for patient observers. The surf is powerful and the mood can be stark on gray days, but if you like big, empty horizons, this is the spot.
04
Best for big views
Marina State Beach
Marina, 15 Minutes South • High-Dune State Beach • Best For Hang Gliding And Sunsets
Tall dunes and a broad overlook give sweeping views up and down Monterey Bay before you even set foot on the sand.
Just down the coast from Moss Landing, Marina State Beach feels a bit more developed but still raw around the edges. Locals come here to watch hang gliders launch from the bluffs and to catch long, drawn-out sunsets over the bay. The walk down to the water is steep, so factor that climb back up into your plans, especially if you’re carrying gear.
05
Best for families
Sunset State Beach
Between Watsonville And Moss Landing • Sheltered State Beach With Campground • Best For Family Beach Days
A gently sloping beach backed by a large campground and picnic areas, popular with multi-generational groups.
Set north of Moss Landing in the dunes above farm country, Sunset State Beach has the feel of a weekend base camp. Families spread out with shade tents and coolers while kids dig in the sand or roam the wide foreshore. It still sees the same strong surf as the rest of the bay, but the infrastructure and easy access make it more user-friendly than the wilder stretches nearby.