Destination: Moonstone Beach
By Kirsti Scott
A fun stop along California’s Central Coast is Moonstone Beach in Cambria, California, a great place to hunt for colorful rocks. Just park anywhere along the bluff above the beach, take the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk to the stairs, and head down to the beach.
The first thing you’ll notice is that the sand on this beach isn’t the typical buff-colored sand found on other California beaches. Instead, the sand is made up of the same rocks you’ll spot on the wrack line, just worn down by the waves into tiny, smooth, colorful sand grains.
The stones on the beach are not actual moonstones, which are a type of opalescent feldspar, but are instead chalcedony, quartz, jade, jasper, agates, and more. The name likely came from the shape and texture of the rocks, worn by the tumbling waves into smooth, round treasures. The rocks are so polished that you can walk on them without shoes or sit down on the beach and sort through the colors, shapes, and patterns to select your favorites. When they are wet you can see the rainbow of colors in the rocks. There are even a few pieces of frosty sea glass to find among the rocks, plus driftwood of all sizes tossed by the waves.
Hit Moonstone Beach at low tide so you can visit the full length of the beach. Explore the tide pools, which are home to crabs, anemones, urchins, and other small sea critters. There’s plenty of wildlife to spot offshore, including seals, sea lions, sea otters, whales, dolphins, and shore birds. And, you can walk the wooden boardwalk for about a mile, checking out the sweeping views and the waves crashing on the rocks and beach below. Swimming is challenging and the water is cold, so keep a watch on the tides and currents to stay safe.
If you want to continue rockhounding in the area, you can head to the outflows at Santa Rosa Creek and Pico Creek or drive north to Jade Cove for a beach with wave-tumbled jade.
Across the street from the bluff are a few places to grab a bite to eat or to stay overnight. Or, head into the charming town of Cambria, which is full of fun shops, galleries, restaurants, and wine-tasting rooms. The area is a fun place for an overnight stay or just a quick stop along the California coast.
Learn more about beach rocks:
Learn more about beach rocks including agates, Cape May diamonds, Yooperlites, fulgurite, puddingstone, and more.& Articles ›
Learn more about the best beaches and destinations for sea and beach glass, seashells, fossils, rocks, and more beach finds around the world.Articles ›
This article appeared in Beachcombing Magazine Volume 42 May/June 2024.
