Moss Landing State Beach on Monterey Bay lies north of Monterey and south of Watsonville along Highway 1. Its broad shoreline and dunes provide sheltered picnic areas despite the bay’s strong afternoon winds. The beach supports offshore fishing, surfing, windsurfing, and horseback riding, though strong rip currents make swimming and wading hazardous. The area is also important for wildlife watching. Seasonal birdlife is abundant, and nearby Moss Landing Wildlife Area contains tidally managed ponds that serve as a roost for brown pelicans and other shorebirds. Sea ducks, loons, grebes, gulls, and California sea otters are regularly seen here, making it both a recreation site and a notable coastal habitat.