Hidden gem tucked away unexpectedly! Parking situation is small but then again, no one knows about it so a win-win for all. Came here horseback riding and only saw a few guys out fishing. Unsure why ppl keep saying it's a dog beach when the parks department says otherwise. "DOGS are not permitted on the beach or dunes." Maybe take another look - https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=572. read more

Free beach! It's a California State Parks Beach but there is no entry fee. Very small parking area. Very rough road to get in. But very few people there, mostly people fishing. It's a wide open, sandy beach. You can see south to Monterey and north to Santa Cruz. read more

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Every time I come down to this beach I am overwhelmed by the beauty. This beach offers a large expansive beach. And not a lot of people. Small parking lot and one port a potty. Highly recommend four wheel drive coming here. The road is through the farmland and bumpy. And we'll bumpy. Fortunately my man drives a four wheel drive truck. Worth it to come here. Off highway one, if you think you're lost but you're heading towards the beach keep going! The road here takes you through strawberry fields: I suggest layers as you never know what the weather will be. Just do it. Thank me later. read more

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Dog beach! Pretty much have the beach or far as eye can see to yourself. Others have been respectful whether there to fish or hang with their families . Wish the state would fill the deep trenches in the last mile of pavement. read more

Don't go here past 6:30pm You will get kicked out by the cops lol Hidden beach. You don't really ever see anyone here so you'll get the tranquility you need. It's clean, smells good, and the sand is soft. read more

Zmudowski State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Moss Landing, California

Not the easiest state beach to get to, even with road signs pointing you in the correct directions off Highway 1. It's a bit of a somewhat bumpy drive so please drive slowly and carefully when coming across potholes and uneven stretches. There's free parking at the beach and when I visited, I was practically the only person there, so I felt isolated from everything else, not sure if that's good or bad. Going over the sand dunes was a tricky but once at the top before going downhill is a view of the long stretch of beach. I went down a really long stretch of sand dunes and came across a lot of washed up seaweed and kelp. Basically, this is miles of sand dunes lining miles of beach and when going in the direction towards the power plant and Monterey, it seemed endless. read more

This is one of the more hidden beaches along ye olde highway one-kinda sorta not really by moss landing. As far as beaches go it's got all the hits. Lots of sand, open vistas, and all the ocean you could want. Decent for watching boats, and excellent for birdwatching. It goes several miles in both directions, and is surrounded by marshes and dunes. No real surfing action here-the breaks just aren't made for it and while it's fairly safe to swim in bear in mind that if you get into trouble-riptides, sharks, hypothermia or leg cramps there is no one to help (or most days, even see) you. Like every beach in the area a light jacket/blanket/hoodie/something warm is needed for all but the very hottest days. Be prepared for wind, otherwise great for those that want a break from the crowds. Assuming you haven't been here lately (or at all) the signs are very much a blink and you'll miss it deal. GPS is pretty good at directions which is nice because the road in is um, unimproved. It washed out last winter and doesn't look to be replaced/repaved any time soon. If you have a suv, pickup, or anything four wheel drive no worries but you're in a car-you will bottom out here and there, and if it's been raining enough to create mud, forget it. It's also a one lane road with few by pass opportunities. There is one of the nicer-as far as these things go-porta potties just in case you've been dumb enough to drink beer and a small parking area at the end. All in all it's ideal perfect for a small private adventure. read more

Today going to Sunset and Moss landing beaches noticed a Polish sounding name "Zmudowski"and decided to do a detour and check it out. I had never heard of seen or nothing about Zmudowski State Beach and now I know: 1) it was name after a teacher of the area who donated land back in the 50s (maybe the teachers back then made a decent salary to live in this super expensive area, no wonder that they cannot find teachers, pay them well!), 2) It is one of the few nudist beaches out there, although it was so cold I decided not to #freetheniple and just enjoy the dunes; 3) you can fish tons of species there, including salmon; 4) Every year this beach recedes 2 feet due to dramatical coastal erosion, so enjoy it while it last; 5) Totally free; 6) you will see no one or someone fishing from really far; 7) you can horse ride (bring your own horse, nothing for rent, nada; 8) it is the quintessential Californian beach: cold, foggy, wild...loved it! read more

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Zmoodoo...Zeemudo...Zamado...Zimudo... Z-mu-dow-ski. Try challenging your friends and family to spell this beach. Just try. If they do spell it right, then dress them up as a 10-year-old child and send them to the Scripps Spelling Bee, because they're winning that sucker (if they ask Zmudowski's language of origin first). But seriously, awesome name aside, Z-mud as I'll call it (I'm tired of typing already, and I'm not even halfway through my review) is pretty unique. You have to totally drive through these somewhat secluded roads with farmland and random reeds surrounding just to get to the parking lot, then you gotta trek up a huge sand dune to the beach. Also, I would never, ever leave anything valuable in your car if you come here--break-ins, I've heard, do occur in beaches in the area. The sand is super soft and pretty white, though. There were random people on horses around, so I would kind of look out for...Very special sand. That said, Z-mud doesn't have a crazy excess of people at all. In fact, besides the horse people, I saw a few people lying around basking in the sun and some fishermen, but that's about it. I liked that it wasn't overpopulated and calm. So if you want quiet, nice sand, cool sand dunes to walk up, and a name that you can't type into Google Maps, then visit Z-mud State Beach!! read more

Free parking at this quiet, unpopulated beach!!!!! We pitched our awesome beach shade/shelter/tenty thing and enjoyed the sun and the beautiful ocean....5 stars for uncrowded. beach sand feels very easy and soft, and wonderful calf exercise without any foot pain walking straight from parked car to the area of chill-out for pitching shade. Loved it here...just unassuming. I read, he napped, I spotted kids building sand castles, and others doing yoga or canoodling. There are no dogs allowed here. Spotted two very large beached and dead sea lions. Literally across the inlet channel from Moss Landing.... short 5 minute drive. read more

This is such a pleasant beach because it is away from the usual crowds and you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the waves crashing and breathe in the salt filled air with few distractions. Wear your jacket just in case because this is not southern California. The water is icy cold, varies between 45 to 55 degrees, depending on time of year. Definitely not swimming conducive. But for beach lovers, a great p look ave to just take it all in. read more

Hidden gem of a beach along the Monterey Bay. Mostly populated with locals enjoying an evening on the beach, or fisherman trying to bring home a fresh catch. It's sad that this beach will be closing in July with the California Budget cuts...... read more

Zmudowski State Beach - No fires. :-( - Beaches Near Me - Moss Landing, California

This is a generic beach. Miles of sand dunes lining miles of beach. The only really unusual thing about it is just how isolated it can feel. Also, there is a pretty large wetland area which might be interesting to hike around. I did not go there to confirm. I went on a Saturday during January with average weather, so it was less than surprising it was a little empty. Still, I probably saw ten or fifteen people during the several hours I was there. I imagine in the summer it would be more crowded, but I would expect it to be nothing compared to Monterey and Santa Cruz. Most of the people I did see were fishing. I assume this means there is decent fishing there, but as I was not fishing I cannot confirm this. Parking was free which was a plus. When driving there google maps gave me directions which involve driving down Jensen road. Do not do this, it dead ends in private property. The correct way is to take Struve road to Giberson road. Then take that road until it dead ends. This will take you into some real farm country, and it really won't look like anything at all is there. Just keep driving, eventually you will hit it. read more

Four stars for the quiet serene nature of the beach. Take the south entrance to avoid crowds. There is a bit of flooding a rough roads before entrance; be careful if you approach on a car. The beach had a few shells to sift through, lots of driftwood. Be watchful of the tide; at high tide the waves lap the bottom of the dunes in places. No tidepools here, just sand and dunes. Very pretty mountains toward the south. read more

Zmudowski State Beach - Morning rays - Beaches Near Me - Moss Landing, California

This was a nice clean beach. We enjoyed the drive to get to it, but there are quite a few big potholes - be careful!!!

My family has been coming here for decades and it is a beautiful beach away from the crowds you see at other beaches. It definitely feels more like a natural beach. Nothing out of the ordinary here except you and the ocean. Popular fishing spot for perch. Loads of sand crabs and clams. I have very fond memories of this place. No dogs allowed though which is a bummer. read more

It was secluded. Was a flat beach but different. Very private with a parking lot that's free. Hardly anyone was at the beach

My favorite beach hands down!! Zmudowski aka " the hidden beach," is mostly a locals beach. BIG waves, Strong Undertow so use caution while In the water. Great skim, body, and boogie boarding but Surfing can be dangerous(serious undertow). I've lived one strawberry field from Zmudowski since I was 5 years old so I'm a little biased. My family has been making memories at this beach for the last twenty years and God willing my son will be enjoying the wild life and beauty of "The hidden Beach," for another 20 years. read more

I go here to do some surf fishing and get away from the city. Pros: - Because access isn't as easy as other beaches in the area, it's not a crowded beach. Awesome isolated beach that's mostly empty (at least when I've gone), there's times when it seems like you have the place all to yourself. - There doesn't appear to be a locked gate so you can go as early as you want, and there isn't any kind of fee to park. - The sand is soft and not full of rocks/shells/debris/litter. Cons: - It's a long drive from Silicon Valley and can be hard to find the first time as you have to travel down some long windy backroads weaving through farmland. - There's a lone port-a-john in the dirt/sand parking lot, but not much else for amenities so plan accordingly. - Only one entrance to the beach from the parking lot - you have to walk over a small ridge of sand then might have to do some more walking to find a spot, so don't pack heavy. A nice little gem of a beach if you don't mind the drive. read more

Nobody can access this beach. The road is flooded just inside the dune at the shore. I'm not sure how deep it is or if you could wade across easily. We are disappointed because we came last winter and it was flooded then. Being flooded still I wonder if it will ever be accessible. read more

Not a bad beach at all, very secluded and not easy to find. Good if you want some private time with anyone. The only thing is ALWAYS CHECK UP ON YOUR CAR! When I went, there was so many broken car glass from people that broke into many of them, so be safe and only go their in the Day time, or you'll regret it. read more

I agree with the others. Looks like a great beach that would rarely be crowded. Unfortunately tho, no dogs are allowed, even of they are on leash; hence the 3 star rating. read more

How can Zmudowski be anything less than 5 stars?! This place is wild man! You can see dolphins whales and seals straight off the beach! The beach is extraordinarily beautiful and the parking is easy and free! If you want a quiet day on a beautiful beach then this is your place! Plus no dogs is a bonus in my opinion! read more