Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
1700 Elkhorn Road, Royal Oaks | (831) 728-2822, elkhornslough.org
The diversity of wildlife at Elkhorn Slough – the second-largest estuary in the state after San Francisco Bay – is astounding. Sure, there are the ever-adorable sea otters, dozens of which call the slough home, there’s the wealth of bird life, from majestic egrets and herons to the smaller birds, but there are also seals, and beneath the surface of the water, more species diversity than can be described in these pages. The best way to see the wildlife is on the water – whether it be by canoe, kayak or standup paddleboard – but be sure to time it right with the tides: Paddle in from Moss Landing Harbor as the tide is rising, and out when the tide’s receding. If you don’t have the proper equipment, kayaks or paddleboards can be rented in Moss Landing at Kayak Connection or Monterey Bay Kayaks.