Moonstone Beach — Attraction in McKinleyville

Moonstone Beach – A Whimsical Coastal Dream for Engagement Photos

Moonstone Beach is truly a gem on the Northern California coast, offering a stunning variety of backdrops for an engagement session. From the dramatic rocky cliffs to the smooth, reflective tide pools and the dreamy driftwood scattered along the shore, this spot has a little bit of everything.

What makes Moonstone Beach feel so magical is the way the light filters through the mist in the early morning or golden hour, giving photos a soft, ethereal glow. The mix of textures—waves crashing against the rocks, sandy pathways lined with wildflowers, and even the nearby lush forest—adds a whimsical and almost storybook-like quality to the images.

If you’re looking for an engagement session location that offers both adventure and romance, Moonstone Beach is the...

Highlights: Dog-friendly, free parking, but hard to find a parking spot on the weekends!

My family, with our dog, was on a road trip, and we just wanted to find a dog friendly beach to stop at quickly for a pit-stop on our way. Parking was free, which was nice, but it was VERY hard to find a spot! We went on a Saturday in July around 1pm. There are not very many parking spots and the parking lot has a lot of potholes and is a rough ride.

There were LOTS of dogs on the beach--good if your dog likes other dogs, not so good if your dog does not. We only stayed 30 minutes, walking up and down the beach. We did not stay long, but lots of other people looked like they were camped out for the day and seemed...

Moonstone Beach is wonderful. We try to visit here at least twice a year. Our doggies love the 2 mile boardwalk. There's a lot of spots to sniff around and squirrels to chase. There is parking along the park. The view is fantastic. The walk is refreshing, calming and peaceful. You can stroll or power walk whatever is your liking. I do several walks a day. It's wonderful. There are several lookouts along the way. Great place to take pictures and/or videos. Doggies are not allowed on the beach only on the boardwalk. Restrooms are available on the south end of the park. There are quaint inns to stay overnight with parking. Our favorite is Cambria Shores Inn.. They all have rooms views...