24 Hours in Moss Landing

Freshly caught seafood, a plethora of ocean activities and unique accommodations are just a few reasons to love Moss Landing. It’s truly no wonder why this seaside gem holds the largest population of sea otters on the Monterey Bay!

Make the most of your next trip to this quaint fishing village with the suggested itinerary below.

Day 1

10:30am

Start your action packed adventure at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reserve. This unique site is home to one of the largest tidal salt marshes in California making it a prime habitat for hundreds of species of plants, animals and birds. Stop by the Visitor Center before venturing off onto one of their well-paved hiking trails that meander through beautiful oak woodlands, calm tidal creeks, and freshwater marshes.

12:30pm

Now that you’ve worked up an appetite it’s time for lunch! The Haute Enchilada is a destination in itself complete with a unique art gallery, fantastic hospitality and awesome food! Their eclectic Mexican fare is to die for and be sure to try their sand dabs, a local specialty.

2pm

Since you’ve just explored the Elkhorn Slough on land, it’s now time to get a closer look on the water. Rent a kayak or book a guided tour with Monterey Bay Kayaks or Kayak Connection. The gentle waters on the slough make it the perfect spot for first-time kayakers looking to get a closer peek at the marine habitat. The main water channel is seven miles long and full of local residents including dozens of sea otters, sea lions and a plethora of migratory birds. Please remember to respect the local wildlife and stay 200 feet from water mammals at all times.

6pm

Head back into Moss Landing’s village and stop at The Whole Enchilada Marketplace. Here you will find all sorts of local produce, including artichokes, for a great price!

From here make your way to dinner at The Whole Enchilada, one of Moss Landing's most popular restaurants. The menu is loaded with landlubber Mexican favorites and a diverse range of seafood with a Mexican twist. Did we mention they have quite the extensive tequila menu?

7pm

Tuck in for the night at Moss Landing’s one-and-only bed and breakfast conveniently located in the center of town. The cozy Captain’s Inn bodes 10 guestrooms complete with antique furniture and nautical décor. Choose a room in the Boat House building for stunning views of the wetlands out front where you might spot a curious sea otter or egret.

Day 2

8:30am

Rise and shine! Don’t miss the most of important (and delicious) meal of the day served up daily at the Captain’s Inn. Head to the lobby’s kitchen area for a home cooked meal to begin your day.

9:30am

Last, but certainly not least, on your Moss Landing adventure is a whale watching trip to remember! Book a trip with Sanctuary Cruises for an eco-friendly tour leaving from the Moss Landing Harbor before venturing out into the open sea. Be prepared to see all sorts of marine life including dolphins, harbor seals, sea lions, humpback whales and maybe even orcas!

Staycation at the Captain’s Inn in Moss Landing with an Exceptional Dinner to Match

Whether you live in Monterey County or not, the Captain’s Inn in Moss Landing is the place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and simply unwind.

Looking to do just that I headed for the peaceful hideaway just a short 15 minute drive from Monterey on Highway One. The cozy blue B&B is conveniently nestled in the charming fishing village of Moss Landing- known for the Elkhorn Slough, Salinas River State Beach and lots of sea otters.

I immediately started to unplug as soon as I arrived at the 10-room bed and breakfast. The friendly innkeeper quickly checked me in and gave me the run-down on the property and its amenities. The kitchen and dining room are open to hotel guests 24/7 and is fully stocked with coffee, tea and fruit.

After a quick tour of the property I was shown to my upstairs room in the boat house, just behind the main building.

The “High Seas” room was exactly what I was looking for, waterfront views, a luxurious bathtub, roaring fireplace and a cozy bed. The nautical theme and décor fit perfectly with Moss Landing’s abundant water adventures.

Looking for a little adventure myself, I ventured off to explore Moss Landing’s unique offerings. Just down the main road are several antique shops, gift shops and a unique art gallery at the Haute Enchilada.

On the way to the beach I crossed the bridge near the Moss Landing Harbor where several sea otters had culminated which is pretty common in the safe and sound waters of the harbor and the nearby Elkhorn Slough. For a closer view into the slough check out the Elkhorn Slough Safari or a guided kayak tour.

Just across the way is Salinas River State Beach which is one of my favorites. The expansive white sandy beach is a beautiful place to watch the crashing waves, enjoy a stunning sunset or set up shop for a relaxing picnic. For those looking for a real adventure scope out the epic stretch of coastline on horseback!

After a quick stroll on the beach I headed back to my room with a view and watched the sun set from the cozy comforts of my hot tub overlooking the waterfront, talk about relaxing!
New to the Captain’s Inn are their Tuesday and Saturday dinners featuring various foodie themes and local wineries. Tonight I was in luck since it was Spanish night featuring tapas and a seafood paella. Knowing that dinner was just down the stairs was an added bonus, no designated driver needed!
For dinner, the breakfast room was transformed into an intimate dining space complete with candlelight and a selection of local wines to start off the night while meeting new faces around the dinner table.

Italian born chef Alessio Casagrande started the night off with a plethora of Spanish tapas including prawns with garlic, Spanish styled cured ham and a Spanish potato tart.

The tapas alone could have served as an entire meal but the seafood paella was the main attraction. A generous amount of scallops, mussels, prawns and clams were piled on a luscious bed of saffron rice and fresh fire roasted tomatoes. The authentic flavors were spot on with the paella I have been hunting for ever since my time spent in Madrid a few years ago.

At this point I was stuffed but just had to indulge in a piece of the chef’s Spanish apple pie. Luckily, I was just a few steps away from my luxurious bed for an incredible night’s sleep.

Before checking out and going back to reality I enjoyed the B&B’s complimentary breakfast of pumpkin pancakes, fresh fruit and sausage- not a bad way to wrap up an incredible staycation in my own backyard!

Kayaking Adventure on Elkhorn Slough in Moss Landing

Did you know there is a wildlife haven visible off of Highway One in Moss Landing? You may have noticed the exit signs when passing through this tiny town but there is a special sanctuary with a hefty population of seals, sea lions, birds, sea otters and even sand dollars! The SF Chronicle has even named it as “the best place for wildlife viewing along the length of California Highway 1." Having heard such accolades about this diverse wetland I decided to check it out for myself.

The Elkhorn Slough is accessible only by kayak and small boats. Usually I would opt for the less strenuous option but I heard the slough was a perfect place for a novice kayaker so I thought I would give it a try. The slough is a protected wetland and it lacks the waves that you find out on the ocean, which can make kayaking difficult for beginner kayakers like me. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of kayaking but you still want to enjoy everything that the slough check out the action by pontoon boat with Elkhorn Slough Safari.

Since this was my first time out on a kayak I figured it would be best to schedule a tour and get some tips from a professional instructor. My friends and I scheduled a 3-hour Saturday tour at 9:30am with Kayak Connection. We arrived a few minutes early to get fitted us for life vests and “skirts.” At first I didn’t see the purpose of these rubber looking suspenders (aka skirts) until we got out on the water. These things are vital to keeping your lap dry!

After a brief tutorial on how to handle the paddles we were ready for take off! My crew and I met up with our guide for the day, Flo. His laid back personality and expert knowledge let me know I was in good hands. We each boarded our two-person canoes and off we went; luckily I called front seat and left the steering to my partner in crime behind me. Getting the hang of paddling was awkward at first but it became much easier after leaving the nearby dock.

Our first stop was something I like to call “Harbor Seal Island,” can you guess why? This little segment of land was covered in adorable harbor seals. As we approached closer they seemed to multiply in numbers. Once we got our fill of photos we continued on to my most anticipated part of the tour.

If there is one animal that Monterey County is most known for it’s the sea otter and Moss Landing is crawling with them! We approached a “raft” of these cuddly creatures near the shores of Moss Landing State Beach. There were about 15-20 of them all huddled together to keep from drifting off while resting; too cute!

After snapping several photos of the playful furries we continued on and headed towards Highway One. On the way we came across a pier overflowing with sea lions. The slough is a perfect place for these mammals since it keeps them protected from predators in the open ocean; now if only they could keep their barking down!

As we traveled east the slough opened up and allowed for more random encounters with the animals that call this wilderness home. Flo described each bird, mammal and crustacean we came across. His passion for the slough was contagious; I found myself learning all sorts of random factoids, which I hope will come in handy for next week’s trivia night!

After scoping out various birds and plants, Flo mentioned he had one last surprise up his sleeve. Before crossing Highway One we made a quick stop along the shoreline. Flo pulled out a flat and round shell from the water. I wasn’t that impressed until I realized these shells were actually sand dollars! I had never seen a living sand dollar and honestly didn’t even know they were living creatures to begin with; they were everywhere!

Unfortunately our time had come to an end and it was time to head back to Kayak Connection headquarters. All of that kayaking built up quite the appetite and my crew and I decided to end the day munching on a bountiful seafood feast at the famed Phil’s Fish Market. Yum!

Elkhorn Slough Safari: Sea Otters and Seals and Pelicans, Oh My!

If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Cannery Row and Fisherman’s Wharf head to Moss Landing’s Elkhorn Slough, just 15 minutes north of Monterey. This tiny corner of Monterey County holds a secret playground for all sorts of amazing critters including harbor seals, sea lions, pelicans and lots of sea otters!

One of the most unique ways to explore the protected wetland is with Elkhorn Slough Safari on a pontoon boat. I never pass up an opportunity to ride alongside Captain Gideon as each time you are bound to see and learn something new about this abundantly diverse wetland and its inhabitants.

My friends and I met up with the Captain and his knowledgeable assistant Emily at Moss Landing’s Harbor District just before 10:30am to sign a few waiver forms. After buckling in our life vests we climbed aboard the comfortable vessel and were off!

Moss Landing’s harbor is a tour in itself. The docks are lined up with everything from weathered fishing boats with clever names tattooed on the backside to pricey Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute ships with top of line research equipment on-board.

While making our way out to the slough Emily appointed a few of us to be the official “counters” of some of the species we would come across to report to the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. I am not going to lie; I was crossing my fingers for sea otters, but wound up with harbor seals.

In the open slough harbor seals were playing and splashing around beneath us while migratory birds were watching their posts and taking a rest on some of the nearby rocks. Whenever we came across something interesting the Captain stopped and explained what we were looking at while plugging in some one-liner jokes along the way.

Just passed “bird rock” you could see various furry heads poking up through the surface of the water. I took a pair of binoculars for a closer look. It was amazing to see that the bobbing bodies were actually a large group of sea otters. These groups are called “rafts” and they stay together for socialization purposes. Watching them interact with one another made me wish I had Doctor Dolittle’s powers.



Just up yonder was a dock that had been taken over by sea lions. There were hundreds of these loud and obtrusive animals everywhere, they were certainly entertaining to watch but beware of their intoxicating natural aroma.


As we proceeded underneath the Highway One Bridge wildlife activity continued to pick up. Pelicans were diving for fish beneath the surface of the water, harbor seals were basking in the sun on the shoreline while baby sea otters were being cuddled by their mothers. There was a picturesque National Geographic scene almost everywhere you turned!



On the way back the Captain continued on his with quick wit and interesting fun facts. I had no idea that the slough was potentially named after the tens of thousands of tulle elk that once called this sanctuary home!

The two hour tour flew by and was over before I knew it! By the end of the day we spotted over 40 sea otters, 350 sea lions and 164 harbor seals, thankfully I had help from my crew with the seal count.

This is definitely an ideal way to see the sights and wildlife with young ones, elderly folks or anyone wanting to get a closer glimpse of nature’s show out on the Elkhorn Slough. Photographers particularly flock to this mode of transport since you can bring a much larger camera on-board than a kayak. Safari Tours even offers specialty photography workshop where a professional is on board giving helpful hints along the way.
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