Road Trip Down to
Moss Landing
Take a
road trip down to the hidden gem, little town of Moss Landing which is about 1-1.5
hours south from San Jose or 1.5-2 hours from San Francisco. Moss Landing has amazing places for lunch, sea
life, fresh produce stands (any artichoke lovers??), a one-of-a-kind handmade
glass shop, succulent nurseries, whale watching, and kayaking.
Take HWY
1 for a longer coastal route that has amazing ocean views or Highway 101 where
you’ll end up passing by Castroville, the town that dubbed Marilyn Monroe the
Artichoke Queen. You’ll know you made it
to Moss Landing when you see the two big power plant towers.
Grab
lunch from The Haute Enchilada Café which has some of the best, premium Mexican
food and margaritas in NorCal. If you
like mole this is the place for you.
Everything from their appetizers to meals to desserts are freakin'
delicious. They have a fun and funky
ambiance with some of the best succulent gardens around. It’s a must to sit in their garden. If you’re not feeling Mexican food, another
popular spot is Phil's Fish Market & Eatery with fish straight from the fishing
boats.
After
lunch, drive or walk to Island Beach which is a spacious beach where you’ll
most likely see sea otters, seals, and if you’re lucky, whales breaching.
Take a
stop at one of the farmers markets along the side of the road. The fruits and veggies come straight from the
fields and are incredibly fresh. During artichoke
season (March-May), make sure to pick up a few.
While there are quite a few fresh produce stops, Barn Fresh Produce, is
a popular destination. Fun Fact: 100% of the U.S. artichokes come from
California.
Afterwards, take a short drive to check out Annieglass for onsite, house-blown masterpieces and the incredible succulent nursery, Succulent Gardens.
The itinerary above is perfect for a laid-back day, but if you’re looking for something more adventurous, definitely give whale watching or kayaking a try in the area.
Whale Watching: This is an unforgettable experience with the potential to see humpbacks, killer whales, and dolphins in their environment. We even saw a shark on our excursion. They typically run around 9am-1pm and 1:30pm-4:30pm. Make sure to book in advance.
Kayaking: Rent kayaks from Monterey Bay Kayaks and explore Elkhorn Slough, and if you’re extra adventurous, out in the ocean. Besides a great workout, you’ll see otters, seals, birds, and if you’re lucky, whales!
