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Major city · United States

Moss Landing

One night, or a half-day stop on Highway 1: go for a whale-watching or slough boat trip, skip it if you only want town sights.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Moss Landing is a one-street harbour village on Monterey Bay, roughly halfway between Monterey and Santa Cruz. There is almost nothing to see in the town itself; the reason to come is the water — whale-watching boats and quiet electric cruises on Elkhorn Slough, one of California's largest tidal wetlands. Most visitors pass through in two to four hours, or sleep one night to catch a morning boat.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Mar–Dec for humpbacks; Dec–mid-May for grey whales; Jul–Aug for blue whales
avoid Nothing closes seasonally, but winter mornings are cold and foggy on the water
Airports
MRY · SJC · SFO
Nights
1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Moss Landing911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Moss Landing, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$4–6
  • Budget bedHostel or motel bed nearby, a night, per personUS$45
  • Mid-range bedB&B or motel double room, a night, per roomUS$220
  • High-end bedB&B or motel double room, a night, per roomUS$400

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$300

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Whale-watching boatsElkhorn Slough wildlifeSea otters and harbour sealsSeafood on the waterfront
Airports
MRY Monterey Regional (Closest airport, about 30 min south by car) · SJC San Jose Mineta (About 1 h 15 min north by car; more flights) · SFO San Francisco International (About 2 h north by car)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

    16°C (61°F)

  2. Feb

    not flagged

    16°C (61°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  5. May

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    16°C (61°F)

Best: Mar–Dec. Month by month →

Warmest Aug (22°C (72°F)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F) low), wettest Jan (9 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Moss Landing: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

16°C (61°F)

5°C (41°F)

9 rd

Feb

16°C (61°F)

6°C (43°F)

9 rd

Mar

17°C (63°F)

7°C (45°F)

8 rd

Apr

18°C (64°F)

7°C (45°F)

5 rd

May

19°C (66°F)

9°C (48°F)

3 rd

Jun

20°C (68°F)

10°C (50°F)

1 rd

Jul

21°C (70°F)

11°C (52°F)

1 rd

Aug

22°C (72°F)

12°C (54°F)

1 rd

Sep

22°C (72°F)

11°C (52°F)

2 rd

Oct

22°C (72°F)

9°C (48°F)

3 rd

Nov

18°C (64°F)

6°C (43°F)

6 rd

Dec

16°C (61°F)

5°C (41°F)

9 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The village is walkable in 10 minutes end to end. A car is needed for Elkhorn Slough's visitor centre and reserve trails, which sit north of town off Elkhorn Road. Highway 1 runs straight through; there is no useful local bus for visitors.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Montereygo

Door to door: About 30 min

Drive south on Highway 1

Aquarium, Cannery Row and the old town; a full day on its own.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

go

Door to door: About 40 min

Drive south on Highway 1 past Monterey

Village centre and beach; pair with Carmel Point.

Santa Cruzgo

Door to door: About 40 min

Drive north on Highway 1

Boardwalk and pier; busy on summer weekends.

Salinascaution

Door to door: About 30 min

Drive inland on Highway 68 or 183

Steinbeck sites and a real town; only worth it if the history interests you.

Pacific Grove

go

Door to door: About 40 min

Drive south on Highway 1, then west

Monarch butterflies in late autumn and winter; coastal path.

Seaside

skip

Door to door: About 25 min

Drive south on Highway 1

Mostly a service town; useful only for cheaper motels and fuel.

King City

skip

Door to door: About 1 h

Drive south on Highway 101

A highway stop, not a destination.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Sandholdt Road / harbour

Walking distance to the whale-watching docks and the fish market; the only place to sleep in the village.

Moss Landing Road

The Highway 1 strip: cafés, a B&B and the road out to Elkhorn Slough.

Marina or Castroville

10–15 min south or inland; cheaper chain motels if the village is full.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$60–110 excl. bed
Mid
$110–200 excl. bed
High
$200+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
B&B or motel double room1 × 1 night × US$220US$220
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150US$300
Whale-watching trip2 × US$50 · checkUS$100
Elkhorn Slough electric cruise2 × US$40 · checkUS$80
Fuel, Monterey–Santa Cruz return1 × US$15US$15
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$75
Trip total≈ US$410 per person per day, bed includedUS$820

2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$4–6
Bowl of chowder or a fish plate$18–32
Whale-watching tripcheck$30–60
Elkhorn Slough cruisecheck$32–43
Kayak rental on the sloughcheck$40–70
Motel room, Marina or Castroville$120–220

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

The village is small and calm; the real risks are cold, rough water on boat trips and fast traffic on Highway 1. Lock the car and leave nothing visible at the harbour lots.
  • Boat trips run in exposed bay water: take seasickness medication before boarding, and dress for air about 5–6 °C (9–11 °F) cooler than shore.
  • Stay at least 100 feet (about 30 m) from all wildlife on the slough, by boat or paddleboard.
  • Some slough areas are closed to protect wildlife: follow posted signs.
  • Weekend queues at the fish market and restaurants can run 30–60 min.
  • Parking at the harbour fills on summer weekends; arrive early for a morning boat.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Monterey County non-emergency
831-755-3700
Poison control
1-800-222-1222

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moss LandingMoss Landing

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Monterey County non-emergency831-755-3700

Embassy

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Highway 1, Moss Landing → Monterey: about 30 min by car
  • Highway 1, Moss Landing → Santa Cruz: about 40 min by car
  • Whale-watching trip: $30–60, 2–3.5 h (check)

Say or show

  • Where is the boat dock? — Where is the boat dock?
  • How long is the trip? — How long is the trip?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Is there parking? — Is there parking?

Tipping is expected in the US: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Moss Landing. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Mar–Dec for humpbacks; Dec–mid-May for grey whales; Jul–Aug for blue whales · avoid Nothing closes seasonally, but winter mornings are cold and foggy on the water · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 7 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources