Pajaro Dunes? What is that you ask? Where? Yeah – that’s what I said when my friend mentioned this remote vacation destination between Santa Cruz and Monterey, CA surrounded by strawberry fields on the east and sand dunes to the west. It is about 40 minutes from Monterrey, 30 minutes from Santa Cruz, and 10 minutes from downtown Watsonville. Since it is a little remote and a little bit unknown, the beaches were pretty empty!
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We respectfully acknowledge that Pajaro Dunes is located on the lands of the Amah Mutsun tribe.
Before you go
- Stop for groceries on your way in at Staff of Life and stock up on essentials. Or, pack all you need for your getaway in a cooler before you go.
- Leave the East Bay during naptime. The total trip takes about 1.5 hours.
- Doing a day trip? Make sure to arrive early to grab a parking spot.
- Staying the night? Use the free wagons located near the condo walkways to load up your gear from your car and carry to the condo in one trip!
What we packed
- Standard diaper bag essentials
- Beach essentials (towels, sand toys, beach mat, kite, and sunscreen)
- Stroller and/or baby carrier
- Cooler with snacks, lunch, and water
- Scooter or bikes
- Tennis gear
- Pack layers – the beach can be cold when the fog rolls in, but not when it rolls out!
Where to Stay
Pajaro Dunes Resort
The only overnight rental for miles, Pajaro Dunes Resort is located right on the beach and away from it all. We rented a two-bedroom unit in the Shorebirds Condos located on the northern end of the resort complex. The place was small and a little outdated, but just enough space for our family of 4 in one room and either grandparents or friends (holla at ya Jelly & fam!). Each condo has the same layout but different bed configurations, so select the one that best fits your family.
The condo is RIGHT on the beach behind some beautiful sand dunes. We had a nice little patio with a view of the dunes – you can’t see the ocean from the bottom floor because the dunes are quite tall! We could, however, see the sunset at night from our place and hear the ocean with the windows open. The view of the dunes from our window was beautiful still, with blowing beach grass and sea birds flying above.
Each condo unit connects to a central walkway to the beach, and there is a station to rinse the sand off of your feet on your way back into the complex (so helpful with littles). The beds were comfy, the place was clean, and the shower was hot! Each unit also has a fully stocked kitchen (where we cooked most of our meals) and laundry.
Check-in time is 3 pm. Your condo may be ready earlier with prior arrangements but you’ll need to check in at the main office to grab your key. Drive there first then drive to your condo block.
Things to Do while visiting Pajaro Dunes
Go to the Beach
The beach is why we were here, right? 😊 We went to the beach every morning after breakfast during our youngest’s nap and then went before dinner when the sun started to set. When we visited in April the beach was cold in the morning, empty, and beautiful. We found shells, crabs, jellyfish, and birds. As the sun began to set more people came out to enjoy the warmth. The beach was more crowded but still empty enough to have space between blankets.
My toddler enjoyed kite-watching and making sandcastles, my baby enjoyed eating sand. To each her own! The beach is directly accessible through a path from the shorebirds condos. On the boardwalk trail back from the beach you’ll find a little water spigot to rinse off your sandy toes.
The beach can be reached through a beach access road between the Pajaro Dunes condos. Follow the signs from the highway to Palm Beach State Park at the end of West Shell Drive in Watsonville, CA.
Walk Around the Lagoon
Between the entrance gate and the northernmost condos is a small lagoon surrounded by a paved path. We packed our daughter’s helmet and scooter and took a short stroll along the path around the lagoon, spying interesting birds along the way.
The walk only takes about 30 minutes but can last as long as your toddler wants as they pick up everything they see and stop to touch every plant. Take your time and experience the nature around you (as long as you’re not also chasing your scootering preschooler down the path…).
Play Tennis
Bring your tennis rackets and some sunscreen because it is time for some good old-fashioned fun teaching your kids how to play tennis at the resort tennis courts.
It might just be you chasing around a bunch of balls, or trying to keep your kids from running into another couple’s match (if they are reading this – I’m sorry about that…), but all in all it will be a fun way to spend a few hours doing an activity within walking distance of your condo.
Or, if you arrive too early to check in, sit on the steps with your picnic lunch and watch as others play the game. I enjoyed explaining the rules, or what I could remember of them, to my toddler as we rolled salami around our cheese sticks.
Enjoy the Condo - Play Games & Relax
One thing we enjoyed about staying at Pajaro Dunes was the family-friendly amenities made available at each condo. We found kids’ games, puzzles, movies, and that most breakable items were kept on shelving units too high for little hands.
My family enjoyed playing games together as the sun set outside our condo. We made sure to relax, spend time together, and just enjoy being around each other without the normal rush of life knocking at the door.
Things to do near Pajaro Dunes Resort
Just 10 minutes south on HWY 1 you’ll find Moss Landing – a town with delicious seafood, wildlife, kayaking, hiking, and so much more to explore with kids.
We used Pajaro Dunes as a hopping-off point to visit Moss Landing as a day trip. Plan to spend a few hours here either before nap or spend the day if you can exploring the beaches, hiking trails, and trying to spot an otter!
Check out our blog post here for more information.
See our blog post about our top 7 things to do in Watsonville here. Plan to spend a day of your Pajaro Dunes vacation exploring the city just 10 minutes away from the beach.
You can’t miss the sculpture gardens, delicious strawberry U-Pick farms, and super fun brewery scene. Oh, and the closest grocery store is in Watsonville, so plan a stop at Staff of Life while you’re there!
Where to Eat
Cook at the Condo
There are no restaurants in Pajaro Dunes but there are a few options in the cities nearby. We opted to purchase groceries at the Seeds of Change grocery store in Watsonville and cook most of our meals at the condo. Staff of Life was an amazing find – fully stocked with organic produce and products, it felt as if we were shopping in the Bay Area!
Cooking in a condo was super easy–the condo has a fully functional kitchen, a bbq on the patio, and dining space both in and outdoors. On most days we ate breakfast at the condo and ate one meal out, either lunch or dinner. This allowed us to plan meals over multiple days, go shopping only once, and have plenty of snacks on-hand.
Wanna Eat Out? Check Out Watsonville
If you’re tired of cooking or are already out and about, I would recommend some of the food options in Watsonville, such as the Freedom Meat Locker and Fruition Brewery.
You can learn more about both of those spots in our Watsonville blog post here.
Looking for something sweet?
My sweet tooth has passed down to my daughters. We can't travel without a stop for a sweet treat.
The market at Pajaro Dunes does have some last-minute options for snacks, sweet treats, and booze if you’re in a pinch.
If you’re looking for something good, I would suggest La Michoacana Paleteria y Nivera in Watsonville. You can read more about it on our blog post here, but if anything, make sure to order the fresa and Mexican chocolate paletas – so so so so so good. Our daughter’s favorite was actually lime!
Wishlist for next time:
- Camp at Sunset Beach
- Finding more BIPOC restaurants to support
As I sit watching the sun set behind the clouds, while the grass blows on the sand dunes outside my window, I snuggle my baby’s neck and soak it all in – this moment is what vacations are all about.
Pajaro Dunes feels like an exclusive resort without actually costing that much. It’s also fairly uncrowded. The beaches are wide and the view out of our window of the beach grass and sky made us feel miles away from city living. Although we saw few families of color at the actual condo (we saw few people at all…but even fewer BIPOC families), the handful of folks we did see were friendly and kind.
Whether you visit Pajaro Dunes and never leave the resort or use it as a launching off point to explore the Monterey Bay, you will not be disappointed. We have stayed at Pajaro Dunes Resort three times now, all with multiple families in a two-bedroom condo and all at different times of the year. No matter what season, Pajaro Dunes is an amazing place to visit – it is always beach weather in California. Where have you traveled to recently that is nice to visit at any time of the year? Share in the comments below!
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
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