Moss Landing, California
The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Moss Landing, California offer a variety of scenic outdoor adventures. A top pick is the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reserve, a must-visit for its diverse wildlife and bird species. The reserve has a five-mile trail network that is moderately challenging, perfect for a day of hiking. Moss Landing State Beach is another popular spot, best known for its sandy shores, fishing, and bird-watching opportunities. If you're up for a unique adventure, you can also kayak along the Moss Landing Harbor, where you can spot sea otters and seals. These best outdoor activities and attractions in Moss Landing are sure to satisfy your craving for scenic beauty and outdoor fun.
Top Spots in and near Moss Landing
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Santa Cruz, California
Photograph Monarch Butterflies at Natural Bridges' Monarch Grove
4.3The park's Monarch Grove provides a temporary home for thousands of Monarchs. From late fall into winter they make this their home and if you time it perfectly you can see them in clusters in the trees. When you reached the Natural Bridges State Park, on the right of the Visitors Center you'll f...Read more -
Del Monte Forest, California
17-Mile Drive to Carmel Road Ride
5.07.75 mi / 312 ft gain17-Mile Drive to Carmel Road Ride is a point-to-point trail where you may see wildflowers located near Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.Read more -
Del Monte Forest, California
Explore Highway 1 from Carmel to Big Sur
4.6Being from the Central Coast, every time I visit the area I like to do the same trip - Simply because it is amazing. The trip starts along 17 mile drive located in Carmel. From the road, you see the Central Coast icon, the Lone Cypress. Being one of the most photographed trees in North America, i...Read more -
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Catch a Sunset at Carmel Beach
4.7It’s a dream of mine to live in Carmel-by-the-Sea. You might recognize Carmel because Clint Eastwood was the mayor from 1986 to 1988. An idiosyncrasy you may not know about Carmel is the fact that there are no street addresses on any house in Carmel. Everyone gets their mail at the post office...Read more -
Morgan Hill, CaliforniaUvas Canyon Waterfall Hike
4.01.5 miUvas Canyon offers up to 6-miles of hiking trails, which includes a 1.5 mile loop, which runs along Swanson Creek and passes many of the park's waterfalls. To take short loop, head North out of the parking lot to the Swanson Creek Trail. Once you find Swanson Creek Trail, you'll be on the Waterfa...Read more -
Los Gatos, California
Mountain Bike Soquel Demonstration Forest
11 mi / 2070 ft gainAs with many trail systems there are multiple routes and loops available at Sequel Demonstration forest of varying lengths and difficulty. The 3 main trails are all accessed via the same parking area on highland way. The most popular trail is the all skill levels "Flow" trail, followed by two sho...Read more -
Santa Cruz, California
Photograph the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum
5.0No matter the time you'll decide to visit the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum, you'll have thousands of interesting plants and birds to see and watch. The Arboretum is located on the west side of UCSC campus, between the main campus entrance and the west entrance. Parking is 5$ for adults and 2$ for chil...Read more -
Santa Cruz, California
Hike Natural Bridges to Lighthouse Field
3.54.8 mi / 121 ft gainThis is a paved trail that can be used for hiking, jogging, or walking. It offers over 2 miles of beautiful California coast. Walk through flowers, see the jagged cliffs, and of course the lighthouse at the end! This walk can be done from either direction. Start at Natural Bridges and head We...Read more -
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Hike along the Carmel River Beach Trail
1 mi / 100 ft gainKnown as "Ribera Beach" by locals, this stretch of land nestled between Carmel River State Beach and Monastery Beach is not to be missed! The trails are easy to get to and can be accessed by 4 locations. The first entrance is on Highway 1 at the Bay School (between Ribera Road and Monastery Beach...Read more -
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Surf Carmel River State Beach
5.0Carmel State beach is located in Monterey county. It's your typical beach break with both lefts and rights. One thing that is super unique about Carmel is that the water is some of the clearest in all of California. Depending on the sandbars, this can be a really fun wave! It's also a great p...Read more -
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Hike to the Top of Inspiration Point
5.01.3 mi / 850 ft gainThis magnificent trail was recently converted into part of the Monterey Regional Parks System. Walk through pastures of cows, through coast oaks, up a steep incline with vast views of Carmel Valley, Carmel and the Pacific Ocean up to the top where a picnic table awaits you at Inspiration Point. T...Read more -
Santa Cruz, California
Hike the Rincon Fire Trail
5.01 mi / 300 ft gainThe Rincon Fire Trail Starts at a small dirt parking lot next to CA-9 and traverses down the mountain to the San Lorenzo River Connecting with the Pipeline Trail. The trail can be a simple one of a mile out and back or up to 5 miles depending on your preference. The elevation will change by about...Read more -
Santa Cruz County, California
Camp at Henry Cowell Redwoods Campground
4.8/ 665 ft gainNestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is a great weekend option for Bay Area residents. With approximately 30 miles of hiking trails, the incredible Garden of Eden swimming hole, and proximity to Santa Cruz - this campground is not to be missed! On sunny days, view...Read more -
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Whalers Cove Loop
4.31.42 mi / 253 ft gainPoint Lobos is one of the hidden gems of the California coast. Located just off of Route 1 right after Monterey, Point Lobos is a state park on the coast. The cost to explore inside is ten dollars, but so worth it. As you explore, be sure to hike around Whalers Cove, which is incredible at sunse...Read more -
Carmel, California
Point Lobos Natural Preserve Loop
4.77.14 mi / 640 ft gainPoint Lobos contains headlands, coves and rolling meadows, and its offshore area forms one of the richest underwater habitats in the world, popular with divers. Wildlife includes seals, sea lions, sea otters, migrating gray whales (from December to May), and thousands of seabirds, who also make t...Read more -
Santa Cruz, California
Surf Four Mile Beach
4.0Four Mile is a reef/point break that is a couple of miles north of town. This spot usually picks up more swell than in town so it is a popular spot for many locals to surf. When the swell picks up, it offers long rights towards the beach. The current can be strong when there is a lot of swell in ...Read more
