Moss Landing

We got to Moss Landing where we decided to stay for a night or two. We ended up finding a slip at the Moss Landing Public Harbor for $1.00 per foot. Everyone in the office was very friendly and so accommodating.  The only sort of annoying aspect of the Harbor was the over abundance of Sea lions. There were Sea Lions everywhere swimming throughout the marina and piled up on the docks. They were quite loud with their barking and the smell was eye watering.

That evening Keith and Mary stayed on their boat and Rick and I decided to walk over to this restaurant, Phil’s Fish Market, that we saw earlier in the day on a walk to the beach (dog friendly- no leash) that looked very popular! Inside the restaurant was completely full of people as well as the outside patio. The line of people was all the way out the door and into the parking lot. The wait was long for us…about an hour standing in line. But once we ordered and sat down, our food was there within minutes.  The food was very good and the portions were huge.  Comfort food all the way!  Rick said the Clam Chowder was the best he’d ever had. 

Monday Keith, Mary, Rick, Harley and I all loaded up in our dinghy and scooted down Elkhorn Slough. We saw lots of Sea Lions, Otters, Pelicans, Snowy White Egrets and many other types of birds. All of the land surrounding the slough is a wildlife preserve so we were off limits.  We putted around the entire length of the slough, which was 10 miles roundtrip. We saw Kayakers and SUP boarders, which we thought might have been a better way to go. It would have been more peaceful and we probably could have gotten closer to the wild life.

Later in the afternoon after we returned from our dinghy ride, we gave the Elkhorn Yacht Club a call to see if there was room available on their guest dock for two sailboats. Sure enough there was. Being members of the Marina Bay Yacht club, which we are members of, came in handy. We get reciprocal privileges, which entitles us to two nights free dockage (at this YC anyway).

This Marina is really cool! The guest dock sits right along a sandy beach where there are seagulls, pelicans otters cute little seals (seals do not make loud barking noises like the Sea Lions but you will hear an occasional snort or two). It is quiet here and we are protected from surge and wind.

After Keith and Mary arrived in their sailboat and we got all settled in, we walked the long dock to the Yacht Club Clubhouse to check in with the Bartender (she has many jobs at the YC). We looked around while we were there and loved it. The lounge area was decorated with the usual flags hanging from the ceiling but it also had little twinkly lights hanging as well. The room looked quite comfortable with oversized chairs and sofas.  Outside, was a brick patio surrounded by a huge green lawn with reclining chairs, fire pits and big barbeques that overlooked the marina and the channel.

Next it was time to figure out what we wanted to do for dinner. There is not much too close by so we took a very long walk along highway 1 over to the Whole Enchilada.  I didn’t mind the walking but I did mind being so close to the fast cars and trucks zooming by. 

The dinner at Whole Enchilada was worth the walk! We all enjoyed our meals, the décor and the friendly staff. The owner, even came over to our table a few times to make sure all was ok. 

The following day we woke up slowly and were in no hurry to go or do anything.  But something very exciting happened early in the morning as Rick and I walked over to the showers. As we were walking along the dock in the morning mist, we about tripped on a mother otter that just recently gave birth to a newborn pup. She was holding the little one and cleaning, nursing and coddling it. I was almost afraid to walk around it just in case she was going to be that protective way mom’s get with their little ones. But she didn’t seem to mind.  On the walk back to our boat, I quickly jumped on board and grabbed my camera to take some pictures. I actually stayed for a while just watching the two.  I was about 2’ away from them and mom did not seem to have a problem. 

Around 11ish, Rick and I walked back along the highway with Harley to the Whole Enchilada Farmer’s Market. We also walked through a little town (a block long) that seems to be opened only on the weekends. We walked by the Haute Enchilada and peeked inside because it looked so adorable on the outside.  Well, the inside was pretty incredible too. I took lots of pictures, I liked it so much. We found out that the Haute Enchilada is owned by the daughter of the owner of the Whole Enchilada. But the Haute Enchilada uses organic ingredients and has a little Cuban flair mixed in with the Mexican cuisine. And it is dog friendly!

We plan to leave this sweet little haven and head to Monterey today. We will stay one night or two and then anchor out at Still Water Cove in Pebble Beach for a night before we do an overnight sail to Morro Bay.

Mary and Keith are planning to go as far as Monterey with us. We’re trying to talk them into going as far as Mexico. 

To be continued… And…pictures to follow when I get better Internet reception!