Zmudowski State Beach

Located in the city of Monterey, Zmudowski State Beach is a one and a half mile long, wide, and remote beach that is backed by tall dunes and wetlands. Zmudowski State Beach is a part of a state park with the same name and is at the northern end of the small town of Moss Landing. Zmudowski State Beach is situated on the south side of the mouth of the Pajaro River making it an incredible spot for surfcasting and birdwatching. 

Zmudowski State Beach offers a couple of amenities including restrooms, dunes, and a lagoon.

There are many fun activities at Zmudowski State Beach including fishing, birdwatching, horseback riding, surfcasting, hiking, beachcombing, and beach walking. Please note that swimming here can be dangerous because of high waves and strong rip currents. If you are looking for additional activities, you can walk a few minutes north near the mouth of the Pajaro River which is a well-known kayaking and canoeing spot.

Getting to Zmudowski State Beach is easy – the beach’s free parking lot is situated at 200 Giberson Road. After parking, you will need to walk 10 minutes north to the beach.

If you are looking for attractions near Zmudowski State Beach, you can drive 25 minutes to Monterey Bay Aquarium that is home to many incredible sea creatures including jellyfish, great white sharks, captive killer whales, rockfishes, African penguins, and the Pacific Sea nettles.  The historic and first surfing museum in the world Santa Cruz Surfing Museum features photographs, videos, and surfboards related to 100 years of surfing history in Santa Cruz, exhibitions, and Mark Abbot Memorial Lighthouse – an awesome vista point to watch the surfing culture and click Instagram-worthy pictures. Another great attraction near Zmudowski State Beach is Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a lively and famous seaside promenade featuring street performers, bodybuilders, amusement parks, restaurants, tourist shops, a great skateboard park, and kayak and boat riding facilities.

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants within a 15-minute drive of Zmudowski State Beach. The seafood restaurant Rocky Point Restaurant offers surf ‘n’ turf, oysters, fish tacos, and margaritas. If you like Italian cuisine, Il Vecchio has a nice bar and features gelato, pizza, pasta, brodetto, polenta, and risotto. Another good restaurant near Zmudowski State Beach is Mission Ranch Restaurant that serves American comfort food in a farmhouse with pastoral views that was restored by Clint Eastwood.

If you are looking for a hotel near Zmudowski State Beach, you can drive 35 minutes to upscale 4-Star oceanfront hotel Hyatt Carmel Highlands, Overlooking Big Sur Coast & Highlands Inn, A Hyatt Residence Club that features a pool, lounge, restaurant, fitness center, and hiking and diving tours. The 4-Star Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa has many amenities including a lounge, spa, sauna, restaurant, and fitness center. La Playa Carmel is a historic stone-fronted hotel that offers 75 beautiful rooms and suites with an ocean view – and has a nice pool and bar. If you are looking for an affordable hotel near Zmudowski State Beach, the 2-Star pet-friendly hotel Carmel Resort Inn has two restaurants and a café.