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Zmudowski State Beach
UPDATE (Sept 17, 2020) - Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors. Zmudowski State Beach is open for active recreation, and parking is available to vehicles on a limited basis. Social distancing protocols of maintaining a 6-ft distance and wearing masks are required.
As a reminder, Californians are encouraged to avoid road trips and stay close to home, maintain physical distancing, wear a face covering when a physical distance of six feet from others who are not from the immediate household members cannot be maintained, and avoid congregating. Everyone has the responsibility to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
Park phone contact: (831) 649-2836
Here are some guidelines for people visiting Zmudowski State Beach:
What is open now?
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
At this park:
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Yes, please see below:
Statewide, California State Parks continues to work with locals on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved. Even though the department has increased access across the State Park System, the need for Californians to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the outdoors remains critical.
For information on statewide current closures and available services, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
As a reminder, Californians are encouraged to avoid road trips and stay close to home, maintain physical distancing, wear a face covering when a physical distance of six feet from others who are not from the immediate household members cannot be maintained, and avoid congregating. Everyone has the responsibility to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
Park phone contact: (831) 649-2836
Here are some guidelines for people visiting Zmudowski State Beach:
What is open now?
- The beach is open for active recreation, and parking is available to vehicles on a limited basis.
- There is no campground at Zmudowski State Beach.
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
At this park:
- Dogs are not allowed on Zmudowski State Beach.
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Yes, please see below:
- Stay Safer at 6 Feet: Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more. Gatherings, picnics and parties are not allowed. Visitors will be asked to leave if there are too many people at the park to allow for the required physical distance.
- Stay Clean: Be prepared. Bring soap/sanitizer and pack out all trash. Restrooms will be temporarily closed in order to keep up with cleaning schedules.
- Stay Covered: The state now requires you to wear a face covering in most indoor settings and public outdoor spaces when you cannot maintain physical distancing of six feet or more from people outside of your immediate household. For details, please visit CDPH’s guidance here. Visitors should also abide by their local county health orders.
Statewide, California State Parks continues to work with locals on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved. Even though the department has increased access across the State Park System, the need for Californians to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the outdoors remains critical.
For information on statewide current closures and available services, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
Phone Number
(831) 649-2836
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
No
Dogs not allowed beyond day-use parking lot.
Driving Directions to Zmudowski SB
The beach is located 20 miles northwest of Monterey off Highway 1. Take Stuve Road and turn to Giberson Road.Online reservations are not available for this park.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Picnic Areas
Fishing
Beach Area
Swimming
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
Geocaching
Picnic Areas
Fishing
Beach Area
Swimming
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Windsurfing/Surfing
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Wheelchair Accessible
DOLAN FIRE - WHAT'S OPEN UPDATE
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California State Parks has reopened Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and Andrew Molera State Park for active recreation. Some walking trails are open, and parking is available to vehicles on a limited basis. Social distancing protocols of maintaining a 6-ft distance and wearing masks are required.
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Also opened is the Soberanes Canyon Trail in Garrapata State Park –located on the east side of Highway 1. California State Parks continues to work to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved.
Due to the Dolan Fire burning across the southern region of Monterey County, California State Parks urges the public to avoid traveling to impacted areas/park units in Monterey County due to safety and health concerns for any visitors. Air quality remains poor throughout the state.
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Current Park Closures
The following State Parks, including all campgrounds, day use areas, and hiking trails, are already closed due to fire and/or traffic concerns on Highway 1 in the greater vicinity of the Dolan Fire:- Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
- John Little State Natural Reserve
- Limekiln State Park
- Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
- Point Sur State Historic Park
California State Parks is asking for the public’s cooperation at this time when our state is severely impacted by the multiple fires burning throughout the state, including fires in Monterey County and in neighboring Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. Your assistance is appreciated!
For additional information about the Dolan Fire, please see the below resources:
Dolan Fire
California Interagency Incident Management Team 2
Incident E-mail:2020.Dolan@firenet.gov
Incident Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7018
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About Zmudowski State Beach
The beach is a popular fishing area, featuring perch, kingfish, sole, flounder, halibut, bocaccio (tomcod), jacksmelt, lingcod, cabezon, salmon, steelhead and occasional rockfish.
The beach features the Pajaro River estuary, where a natural preserve has been set aside.
The sandy beach is also popular with bird watchers and equestrians. Horses are only allowed near the waterline. Swimming and water sports are hazardous because of strong rip-currents.
PARK HOURS – 8 a.m. to ½ hour after sunset.
FEES – there is no fee to visit this park.
OCEAN SAFETY – dangerous rip currents, frigid water, and deep offshore drop-offs make surfing and swimming hazardous.
DOGS are not permitted on the beach or dunes.
HORSES are permitted to access the beach only by the designated route and to ride only on the wet sand, below the high tide line to protect wildlife and vegetation. In the parking lot, owners are required to clean up after their horses, including removing horse manure. Manure and straw should be shoveled into the horse trailer. Manure and straw shall not be thrown into the dunes.
FIRES are not permitted.
DRONES are not allowed in the park. To protect wildlife and for the safety and welfare of visitors and staff, the park is closed to the use of Model Aircraft and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).
WESTERN SNOWY PLOVERS use Zmudowski State Beach, including the beach and foredune areas for nesting, rearing of young, and for winter habitat. This bird nests directly on the beach sand. Entering or disturbing a posted plover nesting area is a violation of state and federal law. Click this link to view a video of a hatching snowy plover nest.
Location-Directions
The beach is located 20 miles northeast of Monterey off Highway 1. Take Struve Road and turn to Giberson Road.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
The weather can be changeable. Layered clothing is advised.
Pets
Dogs are not allowed at this location.
Dogs on leash are allowed at Monterey State Beach (South of the Monterey Beach Resort hotel), Asilomar State Beach, Carmel River State Beach, and Garrapata State Park.