Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge

Amazing beautiful place to visit The beach was phenomenal.

Hard to find since you need to drive on an access road and it feels like you are trespassing between two farms. But it's a fun hike with your choice of river, ocean, and salt ponds to see rabbits and lots of birds.

5* for nature & serenity, 3* for isolation & lack of amenities. A little visited spot just off Hwy 1 with beautiful wetlands and isolated endless beach running north to the mouth of the Salinas River. No toilets, water or trash cans. Parking reached via dirt road (1 km) that can be impassable after heavy rain (offering the option of adding a muddy extra km to your hike). Sign says open sunrise to sunset.

Fowl hunting area on right. Left trail goes to beach. Trail is flat, dirt/rock, then turns to sand before hitting beach. Dunes are beautiful, but small. Pond is nice but few birds, definitely need binoculars. Beach extend s forever. Nice place to take stroll but not too much wildlife to look at, up close anyways. Beautiful and serene place to lose in your thoughts.

Jan 2021 Nice walk.. saw some coots and hawks... it’s was muddy almost half a mile before the entrance Apr 2021 the way to the parking was dry.. expect r3d winged black birds couldn’t see much birds.. but the variety of flora was awesome.. closer to the beach... the spring flowers are awesome,l,