Location: Moss Landing
Top Things to do in Moss Landing
Top 10 Things to do in Moss Landing, United States
Moss Landing (formerly, Moss) is a census designated place (CDP) in Monterey County, California, United States. Moss Landing is located 15 miles (24 km) north-northeast of Monterey, at an elevation of 10 feet (3 m). It is located on the shore of Monterey Bay, at the mouth of Elkhorn Slough, and at the head of the Monterey Canyon.
Restaurants in Moss Landing
1. Blue Ocean Whale Watch
Overall Ratings
5 based on 601 reviews
Blue Ocean Whale Watch is owner operated and has the most unique boat on the bay. Our boat, High Spirits, is a 60ft yacht with plenty of space for you inside and out. We have an observation deck up top which provides a 360 degree view of the bay - a perfect vantage point for taking photos. Our tours depart from Moss Landing Harbor, the heart of the Monterey Bay. Moss Landing is the closest port to the beginning of the Monterey Submarine Canyon - a nutrient rich area that attracts a variety of wildlife. Blue Ocean Whale Watch was created in 2011 and is owned and operated by Captain Jim Davis and Captain/Naturalist Kate Cummings. Both Jim and Kate have a deep respect for the ocean and its inhabitants. They also completely love their job which makes a big difference for the customer's experience. We are excellent wildlife spotters, locating anything and everything that might be hanging out in the Monterey Bay that day - from endangered leatherback sea turtles to blue whales. We also guarantee whale sightings; if you don't see a whale, come back for free until you do. Different whales are in the bay year-round, so there is always something amazing to see. We look forward to welcoming you on board!
Reviewed By chelsea_behymer
Amazing day on the water with a fantastic captain and crew! Great boat with great viewing from anywhere onboard.
2. Marina State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By Noreenanmarina - Marina, California
What a wonderful beach. I loved seeing the Peninsula from a totally different angle. The views at this beach are spectacular. I love walking through the "canyon" and coming out to the beautiful beach. If you want solitude, this is the place for you.
3. Pezzini Farms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, California
We went to Pezzini Farms, Watsonville, Since its artichoke season, we purchased a bag of artichokes. We also got other things such as peanuts, brussel sprouts, superb teriyaki jerky, a small pecan pie, and McEvoy Olive Oil. Service is friendly and good.
4. Sanctuary Cruises
Overall Ratings
5 based on 683 reviews
Explore Monterey Bay year-round with a marine biologist aboard Santuary, a beautiful boat that is only booked to 80% of her capacity for a more personalized passenger experience. We run longer trips with fewer passengers. We really care about the environment and run 100% local biodiesel. Knowledgeable, warm owner/operators engage and enchant. Responsible captains who don't crowd the animals but ease into the area, which often results in fantastic sightings. We have a great device for avoiding seasickness. Located in Moss Landing at the heart of the Monterey Bay & beginning of the submarine canyon for awesome sightings. We are the boat the locals prefer and the National Marine Sanctuary recommends.
Reviewed By Grampy_Bob - Concord, CA
We took the Sanctuary whale-watching tour on Monterey Bay out of Moss Landing while visiting the area. It was a great cruise, we saw maybe 10 whales, including a big humpback that breached spectacularly near our boat. Exciting! Among others aboard the boat were a woman from France and a woman who grew up in Concord, our hometown. The captain and crew were great.
5. The Castroville Japanese School
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, California
We visited the Castroville Japanese Schoolhouse. It is a historic building and in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
There are a variety of informational signs to read about the school house.
The school house was built in 1936. It was a Japanese school for the farmer families in the area. It also served as a Buddhist temple and community meeting hall. When World War II broke out, it was closed as Japanese-American families in the area were interned.
6. Elkhorn Slough Safari
Overall Ratings
5 based on 240 reviews
Reviewed By mcjaniga - Orinda, California
Highly recommend this trip around Elkhorn Slough -- the skipper and the naturalist (Austin) were both very knowledgeable of the local wildlife. We saw lots of sea lions, harbor seals, otters with their babies, many birds... And, the coffee and oatmeal cookies were a delightful and unexpected treat!
7. Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
A wildlife reserve that offers visitors walking trails and kayak tours through salt marshes and tidal flats.
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, California
I took the train from San Jose to Santa Barbara. As part of the train trip, one gets to see the Elkhorn Slough area. I saw lots of birds. One can also watch for sea animals in the area such as sea lions.
8. Sea Goddess Whale Watching
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 229 reviews
Whale Watching in Monterey Bay with the newest, most comfortable whale watching vessel "Sea Goddess" located in Moss Landing at the mouth of the deep ocean canyon where whales love to feed in their natural environment! Close to both Monterey and Santa Cruz, we can easily go either direction to view whales, dolphins, orcas, and much, much more. Visit Sea Goddess Whale Watching today! Less travel time...MORE whale watching time!
Reviewed By Julie W - Poole, United Kingdom
Sea Goddess, wow, amazing we saw so many humpback whales, they were lunge feeding and coming up out of the water, a couple at a time, amazing sight, We also saw small birds, a bit like penguins, called Common Murre which can dive to over 600 feet to feed, humpbacks can only dive to 500 feet. Also saw some porpoise but not many. Jake the naturalist gave a very good commentary and Bill was a great captain. Highly recommend the trip, just take a waterproof with you and your sea legs.
9. Whisper Charters
Overall Ratings
5 based on 120 reviews
Silent as a whisper, the electric powered Selkie II glides across the water. Join us aboard our elegant, eco friendly electric cruiser! Explore with us the natural wonders of the Elkhorn Slough as we observe rare Southern Sea Otters, Harbor Seals and hundreds of species of birds.
Reviewed By Tierney T - Monterey, California
What an amazingly wonderful way to see the slough. Joonya was more than gracious and the perfect host--organizing our charter with charm and efficiency and captain Brian is an absolute treasure. With his decades of experience, Brian was able to share bushels of details and fascinating stories about everything slough-related . . . from the return of the sea otters and all the positive trophic cascades that have ensued from that to restore the health of the slough, to the migration patterns of pelicans, to the differences between cormorant species and tern species, to the restoration of oak forests, to the history of the railroad and California ag business in the Salinas valley, to the ins and outs of desal operations and much much much more . . . there wasn't a topic Brian wasn't informed on. With the wine and cheese it was truly the perfect way to share quality time with our family members. This trip is a highlight for anyone visiting California. I recommend it 110%!
10. Moss Landing State Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 133 reviews
Reviewed By Mark R - Seaside, California
I took a walk on Moss Landing Beach a few weeks ago. The reason I went is because while deep sea fishing we came out of the Moss Landing Harbor and spotted several whales very close to shore feeding. They would go around in circles to trap the fish and then come up out of the water and swollow them. I have seen them very close to the beach in Moss Landing several times. The weather was wonderful and crowds very small. I did see about 10 surfers, mainly older men and woman but fun to watch. The sea Lions were out in abundance that day. There must have been 100+ right on the Jetty. We had a great time and will be going back again. Also the produce stand down the street is outstanding. We go there about once a month and love it. Moss Landing is a Jewell. Enjoy.
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