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DIRECTIONS

Tours Leave from Moss Landing, 30 minutes north of Monterey

Moss Landing gives us the best access to all of Monterey Bay and to the famous Monterey Submarine Canyon that begins just outside the harbor. Look for sea otters right at the dock, plan a meal at one of the great restaurants, take a walk on the beach, and explore Elkhorn Slough, all in the quiet village of Moss Landing.

Our Monterey location is available for private charters by special arrangement.

Scroll down for directions and live Google map.

Arrive 30 minutes EARLY! We board 15–20 minutes before tour start time for orientation and life jackets. Before that you’ll need 15 minutes to pay for parking, use the restroom, and put on your warm clothing.

Road and satellite maps of Monterey Bay, showing locations of Moss Landing and Monterey, and the deep Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon near Moss Landing.

map

Meeting  location:

The Moss Landing North Harbor Boat Launch Ramp

Near Sea Harvest Restaurant (Moss Landing location) and Monterey Bay Kayaks (not Jetty Road or Moss Landing Harbor Office)

GPS address: 2486 Highway One, Moss Landing, CA (Caution: this GPS address sometimes leads people astray. Please familiarize yourself with the directions too.)

Moss Landing is a 30-minute drive north of Monterey at the heart of Monterey Bay, halfway to Santa Cruz.

LANDMARKS for Moss Landing: The two tall smokestacks of the electrical power plant are visible from Monterey and Santa Cruz (except in fog!). Turn off Highway 1 into the huge parking lot with signs for Monterey Bay Kayaks, palm trees, and the green roof of Sea Harvest Restaurant. Do NOT turn on Moss Landing Road, Portrero Road, or Dolan Road.

PARKING: Please pay for parking. Bring $10 cash as backup for the  credit card kiosk. You may park in any space.

MEET US at the sign, “Moss Landing Boat Launch Facility,” next to three floating docks and two paved ramps into the water.

WALKING,  TRANSIT, TAXI, RIDESHARE: Unfortunately Moss Landing is only accessible by car and it is not safe to walk along Hwy 1. Bus service to Moss Landing exists but is infrequent (Monterey-Salinas Transit). Taxi service has mixed results. Lyft or Uber are good options if you will not have a car.

EASY MISTAKES in Moss Landing:

  • Jetty Road is the next turnoff north. Go back to the highway, turn RIGHT, and go slowly so you can turn RIGHT immediately at the Monterey Bay Kayaks signs.
  • Moss Landing Harbor Office/Main Harbor and all other whale watching boats are the next turnoff south. Go back to the highway, turn LEFT, and watch carefully for the next LEFT TURN LANE as soon as you come out of the trees.

Remember, ARRIVE 30 MINUTES EARLY

Detailed Driving Directions to Moss Landing Location

Note: Do NOT turn off Hwy 1 onto Moss Landing Road, Portrero Road, or Dolan Road.

To MOSS LANDING from the SOUTH (Monterey, Carmel)

  • Take CA-1 North (Cabrillo Hwy) from Monterey/Carmel
  • Go about 19 miles
  • Note the tall smokestacks marking Moss Landing visible for three miles
  • Do NOT turn left at signs for Moss Landing Harbor
  • Pass the Moss Landing Boat Harbor on your left, and the industrial power factory on your right
  • In 0.1 miles take the first LEFT TURN LANE just after the road crosses water
  • Turn LEFT into the parking lot of Sea Harvest Restaurant and Monterey Bay Kayaks
  • Our meeting dock is between the kayak shop and the restaurant

To MOSS LANDING from the NORTH via Highway 1 (Santa Cruz, San Francisco):

  • Take CA-1 South (Cabrillo Hwy) from Santa Cruz
  • Go about 25 miles
  • Pass a gas station on the right
  • The road makes a long S-curve right and then left
  • Prepare to turn right when the smokestacks are directly ahead
  • Turn RIGHT into the large parking lot at Sea Harvest Restaurant and Monterey Bay Kayaks
  • If you go too far, turn right at the Whole Enchilada Restaurant and safely make a U-turn

To MOSS LANDING from the NORTH via US 101 (San Francisco, SFO, San Jose, SJC):

  • Take US-101 south from San Jose
  • Go about 65 miles, passing Morgan Hill and Gilroy
  • Do not take the exit for CA-156 East (San Juan Bautista)
  • Continue about 5 miles
  • Take exit 336 onto CA-156 WEST toward Monterey
  • Turn right onto CA-183 North/Merrit Street in Castroville
  • Go one mile through downtown Castroville (Artichoke Capital of the World)
  • Merge right onto CA-1 North
  • Note the tall smokestacks marking Moss Landing visible for three miles
  • Continue to Moss Landing but do NOT turn left at signs for Moss Landing Harbor
  • Pass the Moss Landing Boat Harbor on your left, and the industrial power factory on your right
  • In 0.1 miles take the first LEFT TURN LANE just after the road crosses water
  • Turn LEFT into the parking lot of Sea Harvest Restaurant and Monterey Bay Kayaks
  • Our meeting dock is directly opposite the parking lot entrance