Salinas River State Beach "Potrero Lot" Road | Informal Campsite
United States
WARNING: THIS PLACE IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED!
WARNING: THIS PLACE HAS BEEN FLAGGED FOR DELETION!
Details
- Verified:
- almost 5 years ago
- GPS:
- 36.79045, -121.79016
- Altitude:
- 4.9 masl
- Website:
- None
- Contributor:
-
thatadventurer.co.uk
Amenities
- Electricity:
- No
- Wifi:
- No
- Kitchen:
- No
- Restaurant:
- No
- Showers:
- No
- Water:
- No
- Toilets:
- Pit Toilets
- Big Rig Friendly:
- Yes
- Tent Friendly:
- No
- Pet Friendly:
- No
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Description
MODERATOR NOTE: No overnight camping allowed, please respect the wishes of the locals.
The Potrero Lot road is a great, quiet place to spend a couple nights and is a frequent overnight spot for LNT (Leave No Trace) campers throughout the seasons.
The road leads into the state park parking lot, Potrero Lot, but is closed from Sunset to 8am. Parking on the wide shoulders of the road (50 meters East of the lot) is perfect as the ground is flat, there is shade from some large trees, and the road is quiet at night and in the morning.
There are two (clean at the time) Porto potty outhouses, and some garbage cans located in the parking lot, but no other amenities aside from what is available in nearby Moss Landing.
The beach is dangerous for surfing but is a beautiful area to stroll. The growth is in a stage of rehabilitation so it is important to stay on trails so as to not disturb the land. Many waterfowl, like heron and egret are seen on the river bank, and bunnies galore can be seen in the scrub brush. And if you were wondering, that is a power plant just to the north in view.
Photos
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Latest Check-Ins
Was really surprised at the number of cars driving to the dead end lot well into the night but other than that solid experience with this location. Showed up early afternoon and hung out on the beach and nearby trail. Left mid afternoon the next day, no issues.
The edges of the road/sidewalks and trails were pretty much lined with foxtails so if you have a dog keep that in mind.
Report Check-Inbeautiful beach. long drop toilet it decently clean. had a person arrive at 4am with loud music but other than that it was great.
Report Check-InWe stayed in the night before as well. we got knocked on by the police and we're told to move. they said it is not safe as people do drugs there at night. don't necessarily believe him but either way I had to move at 4am
Report Check-Inexactly as described. beautiful place to start our morning with a beach walk. the pup found something dead to roll in but dogs will be dogs.
Report Check-InI stayed here on a Sunday night and it’s as described. Nothing fancy, it’s simply dirt spots alongside a ride leading to the parking lot for the beach. I didn’t walk the beach, as it’s been so windy lately that it’s not quite enjoyable to be out there.
Although it says the beach closes at sundown, I heard several cars coming and going throughout the night. If you’re looking to be a tourist, there’s whale watching tours that meet just down the road.
Report Check-Inas described parking on the side from the road. quieter than expected. many locals hang around, but didn't borderd me. nice for one night.
Report Check-InParked in the side of the road approaching the state beach lot. It was quiet and not too many lights. Seems to be a popular spot
Report Check-InWe spend 1 night with our van. Very quiet. Nice walk on the beach in the morning :-)
Report Check-InStayed for a Fri night with another dozen vans, campers and RVs. Cars driving by for most of the night, but didn't bother us. Ok to just crash somewhere for the night.
Good birding in the wetland!
We arrived at the sunset and had no problem when we stayed here one night. It was just smelling compost or garbage😅 We went to the beach in the morning and saw dolphins and an otter ! Hope you will be lucky too !
Report Check-InWe spent a Friday night here, with 2 RVs and another minivan. Quiet place, no-one bothered us. Pit toilet were clean.
Report Check-InWe stayed for 1 week-day night - arrived around 8pm, left by 8am. It was quiet and there were 2-3 other vans/vehicles (no RVs). It was quiet and we weren't bothered.
Report Check-InParked on the side of the road just before the bridge over the river to the parking lot. A family in a nicer schoolie is parked here too. So far so good! A few potentially shady characters hanging out in the state park parking lot on the other side of the bridge, but they’re quiet. My Verizon phone has 1 bar of LTE service but sometimes switches to 3G
Report Check-InWhat a miserable place. Power plant to the north, a shabby neighborhood to the east, salad bowl to the south, trashy beach parking lot to the west, zero beach views. Didn’t feel safe, I was tired, but kept driving..
Report Check-InStayed here for a couple nights in the past in my Element. This past time we were in our VW van were asked to leave by two Sheriff. They were very nice, and (in a way) said they were telling us to leave because people complained about two trashy RVs that have apparently been there for a couple days. So if you stay here make sure you're discrete and don't leave a mess.
Report Check-InQuiet place, lots of space along the road, and the sound of the waves crashing a ways away makes this one of my favorite spots we’ve found on here so far.
The cops circled the lot a bit before we went to sleep, but no idea if they talked to anyone.
Stayed here for one night, lots of other campers around but very quite and everyone was very mindful of each other’s space. Cops came by to check the beach parking lot once or twice but didn’t bother anyone parked before the bridge. Would recommend!
Report Check-InMany places to stay along the road, we felt safe and it was quite during the night, the police passed by several times but didn’t bother us or the other 2camper, don’t stay at night at the parking lot after the bridge!!Salinas State Park and the beach is pretty nice
Report Check-InAs described, a quiet place for the night along the road which leads to the parking lot on the beach (parking has a sign "8am to sunset"). A couple of other RVs and cars stayed overnight too, felt safe. A good option to stay because most campgrounds cost >$40 and not a lot of possibilities for dry camping along the coast.
Report Check-InFound the location quick and easy, and sure enough also found a couple other LNT campers parked along the road as well. The parking Lot for the State Beach is closed from 8am to Sunset but no signage is visible anywhere on the (wide) road that indicates parking on the road is not alright. Quiet and calm. Lots of wildlife (rabbits, herons, egrets) in the area and the close-by shoreline is in rehabilitation (so be mindful of trails, etc). Two (at the time) clean Porto-potties are located in the parking lot, as well as garbage cans (lets be sure to use them!)
Report Check-InEnded up here for one night. Was in the company of about five other bigger RV's, everyone kept to themselves. There is parking in the lot over the river as well, and two porta-potties. All the rigs stayed on this side of the bridge and two left really early. Nice place, close to the beach and quiet at night. Felt pretty safe.
Report Check-Ingreat little pull out on both sides of the road on the far side of the river from the beach.
slept here two nights without disturbance. pretty quiet area too as the park closes at sunset.
Report Check-In