Introduction:
What? : The Elkhorn
Slough at Moss landing is one of the top water wildlife viewing destinations in
California. When kayaking the waterways, you will see up-close the endangered Sea
Otters, Seals, large groups of California Sea Lion and many birds.
Where? : Located on the
California cost, 25 miles south of Santa Cruz, at the small town of Moss
landing.
The kayak
rental location is at the link:
Google Map Link
When: The Elkhorn
Slough is full of wildlife all year round but both Seal, Sea Lions and Otter babies
can be seen in the Spring season. Summer is preferred because of the warmer weather,
although early morning can be foggy.
Due note: We rented
Kayak few times at kayakconnection.com and always found it as a fun experience.
Usually after kayaking for few hours at Elkhorn Slough we went to the Moss
landing harbor and find a restaurant to eat something.
My thoughts: We really like this place, after renting the kayak it is like you are getting into “another place” for wonderful 3-4 hours. You can also visit Moss Landing state park with its sandy beaches on the ocean side and the calm bay view on the inner slough.
The visit:
Elkhorn Slough,
ocean connected waterway, spread over six miles of navigable waterway inland
from the Monterey Bay ocean front.
As a unique
habitat the Elkhorn slough is the largest tidal salt marsh in California.
The Slough’s
habitat is a year-round home for marine mammals’, fish and it is an attraction
spot for migratory birds.
This is one of
the prime places to see the endangered California Southern Sea Otter, more than
125 individuals of sea otters are populating Elkhorn Slough’s waters.
The Elkhorn
Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is 1700 acres and located at the
east end of the Slough, inland from Moss Landing.
The visitor
center is a great stop when planning your visit.
I never visit
this location and or hiked the trails available over there so I can’t provide information
about the visit, I always went with a kayak, maybe next time ...
There are 3 chapters
in the below visit description:
- Kayaking Elkhorn
Slough
- Moss Landing
State Beach
- Moss Landing
Harbor restaurants section
Kayaking:
We rented kayak
at: https://kayakconnection.com/
In all visits both
the renting process and safety explanation went fast and efficient.
They have
on-line reservation as well as phone number.
Important note:
make sure to rent at Elkhorn Slough and not at their Santa Cruz location.
I will recommend
closed-decked kayaks, especially if you want to take pictures, they are dryer,
and it is less cold when the wind is blowing. They also have an option to rent
a double kayak.
Renting a kayak
gives you the option to choose your own pace and distance, they also have an
option for a guided tour (I never attend one, the guide will no-doubt add a lot
of interesting information about the marine animals and the surrounding nature).
The Elkhorn
Slough is protected calm water, so it is relatively safe even for Kayaker’s beginners
and kids.
Both the tide
and the wind will influence your paddling on that day, Summer mornings can be
foggy and strong afternoon winds or tide can make paddling more difficult.
You will get
explanation how the tide and the wind will affect your kayak trip.
2-3 hours are plenty
of time to explore the Slough main waterway and see the animals.
Moss Landing State Beach:
The entrance
into Moss Landing State Beach is from hwy 1 just north of the bridge and the
rental kayaking location.
A short road
will take you to the end of the jetty, from there you can view the inner calm bay,
the entrance channel to the south and the long stretch of sandy beach on the
ocean side.
From here you
can see the birds and usually also the Seals resting on the sandy protected beach,
you may also spot here Sea Otter although that usually you can see them farther
away into the sludge.
Moss Landing Harbor:
Moss Landing most
visible elements are the 500-foot twin stacks rising from the nearby power plant,
they are no longer in use and the power plant is using newer and cleaner natural
gas for electricity generation.
On the opposite
side of the power plant, you will find Moss Landing fishing harbor, art galleries,
several hotels, and few restaurant options.
During nice weekend noon it is always packed with people.
there are many agricultural fields around Moss landing and i alway try to find interesting things to take picture of.
Boating with the kids is a chance that comes around just once in a lifetime. Wakeboarding, sailing, or just lounging on pontoon boats are not your thing, but you have come to the right spot. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you should not pass up on. Come to Sunnyside Marina to rent the finest Tahoe wake boarding equipment available. Tahoe pontoon boat rentals.
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