"There's so much here all in one little place, you've got salt marshes and the ocean and historical buildings… and it's really just a beautiful place, it's got wide open spaces and so much to enjoy."

Melanie and Yohn Gideon think too many people pass right by moss landing on their journey along highway one. It's located midway between Santa Cruz and Monterey…but many travelers hurrying to those better known vacation spots rarely see more than a big power plant as they drive past the town. Together, the Gideon's are trying to persuade folks to spend some time in moss landing. Yohn, a former u-s navy captain, runs Elkhorn slough safari. It's a two-hour, abundant nature experience in one of California's largest coastal wetlands.

"This area - moss landing and Elkhorn slough -- is part of the pacific flyway. It's a major stopover on the migratory route for more than 300 species of birds, flying as far north as the arctic and as far south as South America.

Now, if you're into bird watching, this is heaven on earth. If you haven't tried it yet, it's a great place for your interest to 'take flight'

Captain Charles Moss started the town in the 1850's as a port for food and supplies coming into California's gold fields. Today, you'll find a fine…and funky… collection of antique stores. Also in town, a new bed and breakfast, the Captain's Inn. It was once the headquarters for the pacific coast steamship company. Yohn and Melanie restored the main house…and added eight rooms in back, what they call a 'boathouse.

Some topnotch accommodations, restaurants and activities enhance moss Landing's charm. It's like the best of Monterey's cannery row without all the tourists.

ELKHORN SLOUGH SAFARI
MOSS LANDING, CA.
(831) 633-5555
www.elkhornslough.com

CAPTAIN'S INN AT MOSS LANDING
(831) 633-5550
www.captainsinn.com