Moss Landing State Beach
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Moss Landing State Beach is located in Monterey County, California, and is known for its long stretch of sand dunes and beautiful ocean views.
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Summary
There are many good reasons to visit this beach, including the opportunity to bird-watch, surf, fish, and swim. The beach is also home to a variety of wildlife, including sea otters, harbor seals, and migratory birds.
One of the main points of interest at Moss Landing State Beach is the historic Moss Landing Harbor, which was once a bustling fishing port. Visitors can take a walk along the harbor and watch the fishing boats come and go. The beach is also home to the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, which is a research facility that studies marine life and ecosystems.
Interesting facts about Moss Landing State Beach include the fact that it is one of the few remaining nesting sites for the western snowy plover, a bird that is listed as a threatened species. The beach is also a popular spot for whale watching, as humpback whales and gray whales can often be seen swimming off the coast.
The best time of year to visit Moss Landing State Beach is in the summer, when the weather is warm and sunny. However, visitors should be aware that the beach can be crowded during this time, so it is recommended to arrive early in the day to secure a good spot. Additionally, the beach can be quite windy, so visitors should come prepared with warm clothing.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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free campsite
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Free Campsite. Sunset-Sunrise
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Sunset State Beach
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Moss Landing Wildlife Area
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