Featured Events

May
24
2013

California Roots Music & Arts Festival

May. 24-May. 26
The 4th annual California Roots Music and Arts Festival is a three-day event packed…more
May
25
2013

2nd Annual Great Monterey Clam Chowder & Calamari Festival

May. 25-May. 27
This Memorial Day Weekend, May 25th, 26th and 27th, the Custom House Plaza at Old…more
Jun
2
2013

Cannery Row Block Party

Jun. 2
This annual event is a crowd-pleaser includes continuous live music, live animals,…more
Jun
7
2013

Monterey Wine Festival

Jun. 7-Jun. 8
With hundreds of wines offered for tasting, wine lovers will lfind an embarrassment…more
Jun
8
2013

Carmel Valley Art & Wine Celebration

Jun. 8
The Art & Wine Celebration will showcase over 60 artists, local wines and…more
Jun
15
2013

Monterey Beer Festival

Jun. 15
Come join us for the greatest assortment of beer ever assembled on the Central…more
All

Activities

Enjoy the Wonders of the Wharf VIP Card

Old Fisherman's Wharf Association
The “Enjoy the Wonders of the Wharf VIP Card and Special Offers Campaign…
May 14, 2013
- Jul 1, 2013

Surf and Turf Package

Tradewinds Carmel
Enjoy two relaxing nights in a Deluxe King or Queen/Queen room. Spend the Day…
Aug 31, 2012
- Aug 31, 2013

Monterey Movie Tours Special OFFER

Monterey Movie Tours
Special Offer: $10 OFF per passenger rate. Use Promo Code MCCVB when booking. No…
All

 

 

Kayaking on Monterey Bay

Kayaking on Monterey Bay

Elkhorn Slough Reserve

Home to hundreds of species of birds and marine life, the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reserve is the remainder of an ancient river valley. The main channel winds seven miles inland, feeding 2,500 acres of rich marsh and tidal flats. Pelicans, herons and egrets, as well as countless fish, sharks, crabs, sea lions and otters call the slough home. A visitors center offers interpretive displays. Miles of well-maintained trails make this a favorite for hikers.

Elkhorn Slough Reserve Exhibits and Tours

Learn more about Elkhorn Slough Reserve! The visitors center has many interactive exhibits that teach visitors about this delicate and rare ecosystem. Interpretive guides lead nature walks every Saturday and Sunday at 10am and 1pm.

Birding

Elkhorn Slough Natural Estuarine Research Reserve is a clear favorite with birders. With over 346 species of resident and migratory birds at Elkhorn Slough, it's no surprise why. Elkhorn Slough Reserve has rookeries for heron and egrets that become especially active in May. Other species often spotted in Elkhorn Slough are peregrine falcons, brown pelicans and least terns. The Elkhorn Slough Foundation has a thorough list of birds found at Elkhorn Slough.

A blind has been constructed especially for birders around the halfway point on the Five Fingers Loop Trail. This blind is large enough for several people, so bring your birding friends! If you've forgotten your binoculars, the visitors center has several pairs for loan.

Elkhorn Slough Reserve offers an early birding walk at 8:30am on the first Saturday of every month.

Kayaking

Elkhorn Slough's gentle waters and fascinating flora and fauna make it an ideal spot for kayaking. The main water channel is 7 miles long, and many smaller side channels provide opportunities for exploration. Be aware of the tides, however; that small side channel you're paddling on might disappear quickly at low tide! Respect the local wildlife; stay 200 feet from water mammals at all times.

Hiking

Elkhorn Slough Natural Estuarine Reserve is a surprisingly beautiful hiking spot, with easy, largely flat trails that are perfect for an easy walk. With five miles of trails through marshes, woodlands, and alongside tidal creeks, Elkhorn Slough Reserve is a great spot for hiking. When hiking at Elkhorn Slough, please remain on the trails, both for the wildlife's protection and for your own; the brush in the area contains liberal amounts of poison oak.

Hours and Fees

The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve trails, restrooms and Visitors Center are available for use on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and the first and third Friday of every month. The day use fee for Elkhorn Slough is $2.50.

Map and Directions

Take Highway 1 to Moss Landing. Turn east on Dolan Road. After 3.5 miles, turn left on Elkhorn Road. The Reserve gate will be on your left in 1.9 miles.


View Larger Map

Book Your Trip

 

Lay of the Land

click to enlarge map

Lay of the Land

Close Window
LayoftheLand

VIEW MONTEREY COUNTY MAP

County Map

VIEW DETAILED MAPS

Click on the links for high-resolution maps of Monterey County communities, suitable for printing: Monterey, Carmel and Carmel Valley, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside, Marina, Sand City and Moss Landing.

WANT TO GET HERE FAST?

Fly direct from these five airports:
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
McCarran International Airport (LAS)
Phoenix Skyharbor International Airport (PHX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Diego International Airport (SAN)

Monterey Highlights
There's no better way to enjoy the beautiful scenery in Monterey, Big Sur, Carmel or anywhere else ... more
With miles upon miles of bike lanes, waterfront trails and off-road tracks, you can go exactly where ... more
A kayaking trip can give stories that last for years to come. Whether it's seeing wildlife up close ... more
From the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Links to one of the oldest golf courses, Monterey County ... more
California is one of the only places in the world where visitors can see whales year-round, and ... more
Marina State Beach has steady winds that make it a popular place for surfing, kite flying and hang ... more
Scenic Monterey County is one of the richest ecological regions along California's central coast, as ... more
Pinnacles National Monument is a popular spot for outdoor activities ranging from hiking to ... more
Numerous equestrian trails meander through diverse landscapes, from rugged mountain terrain to sandy ... more
One of the best ways to explore the scenic beauty that Monterey County has to offer is by hiking its ... more
Free Travel Guide
Get your digital guide now!
Find out everything there is to see and do in Monterey County with the 2013/2014... more

Get Our eNewsletter

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay up-to-date on upcoming events, special offers, and more.