Zmudowski State Beach

Current Park Restrictions

This park unit is partially open. Please take the time to read the information contained on this webpage to find out what is open and closed, and what COVID-19 guidelines are in place. - (May 27, 2021)

What is open now?

The beach is open for day use.
Day use parking lot is available to vehicles on a limited basis.
Restrooms.

What is currently closed?

Dogs are not allowed on Zmudowski State Beach.
There is no campground at Zmudowski State Beach.

COVID-19 Guidelines - (June 21, 2021)

Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:

Know Before You Go – Prior to leaving home, check the status of the park unit you want to visit to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Have a back-up plan in case your destination is crowded. Stay home if you are sick
Plan Ahead – Some restrooms will be temporarily closed to keep up with cleaning schedules. Bring soap/hand sanitizer.
Play It Safe – Find out what precautions you should take when exploring the outdoors, especially if this is your first time visiting the State Park System. Learn more at parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
Be COVID-19 Safe – State Parks continues to follow guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health:
- Fully Vaccinated Persons: Face coverings are not required in public outdoor settings. For indoor public settings, such as museums and visitor centers, all vaccinated individuals are to self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry.
- Unvaccinated Persons: Face coverings are required in indoor public settings such as museums and visitor centers.
Leave No Trace – Leave areas better than how you found them by staying on designated trails and packing out all trash. Do not disturb wildlife or plants.

Phone Number

(831) 649-2836

Park Hours

Call the park

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.

View on Map

Online reservations are not available for this park.

Park Brochure

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

OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Wheelchair Accessible

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.