Salinas River State Beach

Have you ever have three date in one day? I had two only and believe me that was very tough to handle, lol.;-).Never mind, it wasn’t complicated at all to have three date with beautiful beach in a day.;) Feeling good, I tell ya!!!
This was a bonus date for me after visitiing two beaches before hand, still full of energy so I decided to stop by this one which is next to Moss Landing and relized that I’ve never been here before (my first time woohoo.). One parking left was already reserved for me, oh I’m so lucky, lol.
Aw, people complained about the horse poops here. It’s true when I walked up the hill to get to the beach I saw already a big pile but be glad that you’re able to see it .;) Imagine how gross if you step over it. Anyway I don’t think it’s a big deal at all. One more thing you need to watch out that birds were flying and dropping poops. I saw it when I was about to take pics of them. Even though people said that’s a «good luck» if they poop on you but no thank you, please don’t rude my day, hehe.
It was very relaxing moment, I sat on warmed and smoothed sand dunes, got my barefeet a little sand massage, watched people activities, some little kids were playing in the water bravely (darn, it’s cold), some had sun taning, some were surfing, some couple hand in hand walked along the beach, some were having their family picnic. And far away I could see some whale jumped up making a big splash, sea otters came close to the shore playing and diving with his head up and down, so cute. Oh, watched the pelicans were hunting their fishes is very intersting… It was amazed me how they live and survive in a nature way. I love to look at the sailing boat and dream that one day I could own one and of course you guys are welcome to join me .Yay, keep dreaming baby .;-)
My date was just simple like that, no fancy candle light dinner, flowers & champagne. Just beach and me together and I feel so free !!! It was absolutely a pleasure.;)
Thanks to Salinas, the date with you has made my day more beautiful and memorable. XOXO
Who will be Salinas’s next date ?..;-)

Nice clean beach but you might come across horse poop. You can rent a horse to ride on the beach.
Keep in mind as nature takes place, you may come across a dead bird, sea otter, etc. just leave them be.
There is free parking and a porta potty.
Beautiful place to relax.

This is a beautiful beach especially if you like feeling like you are in a remote place. It’s possible to walk from Moss Landing to Seaside along this beach during which one would see few people. The major detriment is that it is covered in horse poop. There are a few local horse-​riding commercial outfits who are allowed to just let their animals crap all over a public beach. This is a public place where people regularly walk barefoot. People making money while their animals crap all over everyone’s beach is unacceptable and the park service should do a way better job being the stewards of our public lands

My kids are having a blast finding lots of sand dollars and shells! There are a few dead otters but that’s just nature. Plus i got a cool skull out if it! Parking is free and the trail to the beach isn’t that bad. There is also horse trail access. There ate no bathrooms around so if you have little ones that might be an issue.

I stumbled upon this beach while on the way to and from the city of Marina. There’s no parking fee to get into the beach itself, but when going up the hill into the main beach area, there was so much poop and other droppings; very disgusting and you have to watch where you step in the sand. I really wish folks would clean up after themselves or the state would do a better job of maintain this beach.
I plan on coming back to take photos of the scenic beach but I sure hope that poop is cleaned up big-​time!

This place is 5 stars, REALLY? Some folks must be easily pleased.
We have been to shitty beach and this one is at the top of the list. I’m not expecting the beach to be anything like Hawaii or the Caribbean, but I wasn’t expecting it to be a dump either. The water was rough as expected on the coast but that is not the reason for the low rating. The sand was nasty. The location is dead. No wonder it is empty!!! What a waste of time coming here.

Was a lovely place to stop ! The beach is well taken care of. It’s great place to take your kids and have a picnic ! Not a lot of ppl around which is a nice. I highly recommend this spot ! My only complaint was the horse droppings. It would be nice if they would pick up after them just like some owners would pick up dog poop. The beach sign says no dogs but I seen a few there. I will return with my family !

Great, amazing, and wonderful. I fell in love with this beach the minute I first stepped onto the sand. It’s the perfect place to enjoy time with a few close family members or friends. It’s not crowded, not too hot, and it’s super clean.

Gorgeous beach with plenty of room to walk on the beach, along with a nearby recreation trail and another trail going through the sand dunes, both parallel to the ocean. Horses are allowed on the beach; dogs are not. Very rarely crowded here — often you can have the whole beach to yourself.

This beach is awesome! First off it’s an amazingly beautiful beach situation in the Monterrey bay pretty much between Santa Cruz and Monterrey off HWY 1. The beach is easy to get to, has a nice parking area with plenty of spaces.
The beach and ocean are gorgeous. On a clear day you can see both Santa Cruz and Monterrey. The beach has a nature trail that runs parallel to the water that takes you thru the dunes area so you can observe the vegetation there. Or you can take the direct trail from the parking lot and go straight for the ocean.
This beach allows dogs (on leash) and horses. There are no horses available for rent on the beach directly, but there is a company that trailers in horses for beach rides. I think you have to get in touch with them and make an advanced reservation. I know nothing of them but have seen them parked there in parking lot taking out groups and families. Their horses look a little tired and run down, so it’s probably not that enjoyable for experienced equestrians. We trailered out a friends horses to the ocean and the beach was relatively open and empty so we go to do lots of trotting and cantering along the water as the sun was setting on the water. It was an amazing day!
Overall I give this beach a 5 stars. If it did not allow horses (which is a HUGE plus in my book) I’d prob give it a 4 star because I do think there are prettier beaches in the area, but not by much.