Elkhorn Slough :: Map and Directions to Reserve

Map and Directions to Elkhorn Slough

Elkhorn Slough is located about halfway between the coastal towns of Santa Cruz and Monterey. Public access to Elkhorn Slough is available only at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (visiting hours), Kirby Park, or the Moss Landing Wildlife Area. You can also launch kayaks (kayaking map) at Kirby Park or the Moss Landing Harbor.

Map and directions below...
You can also download this map (544KB pdf)

directions map
(The shaded areas on the map are protected lands, click here for more information.)

Address of the ESNERR Visitor Center:

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
1700 Elkhorn Road
Watsonville, CA 95076
Telephone: (831) 728-2822

Directions to the ESNERR Visitor Center:

Highway 1 heading north or south from Santa Cruz or Monterey
Simple route via Dolan Road, near power plant.

Take Highway 1 to Moss Landing; at the power plant, turn east onto Dolan Road;
go 3.5 miles on Dolan Road, turn left onto Elkhorn Road;
go 1.9 miles on Elkhorn Road, turn left into the Reserve gate.

Highway 1 heading south from Santa Cruz
Alternate route via Salinas Rd.

Take Highway 1 south to Salinas Road and turn left;
take Salinas Road past the golf course and veer right onto Werner Road;
drive to the bottom of the hill and turn right onto Elkhorn Road;
go 0.25 miles, turn right onto (again) Elkhorn Road;
go 5 miles on Elkhorn Road and enjoy great views of the North Marsh;
turn right into the Reserve gate.

Highway 101 heading north from Salinas

From Highway 101 north, after the 156 West exit, take the San Miguel Canyon Road exit
go 0.7 miles and turn left onto Castroville Boulevard;
go 2.9 miles on Castroville Boulevard and turn right onto Elkhorn Road;
go 1.9 miles on Elkhorn Road and turn left into the Reserve gate.

Highway 101 heading south from San Jose

From Highway 101 south: 2 miles past the 156 East exit, turn right onto San Juan Road;
go 2.3 miles on San Juan Road, turn left onto Tarpey Road, which becomes Hall Road;
go 4.5 miles, through Las Lomas, and turn left onto Elkhorn Road;
go 5 miles on Elkhorn Road and enjoy great views of the North Marsh;
turn right into the Reserve gate.

If you have any questions regarding these directions, please call (831) 728-2822

Get a map and directions from Mapquest