Elkhorn Road (Monterey County)

Elkhorn Road is an eight-mile rural highway fronting Elkhorn Slough in Monterey County. This highway was developed during the early 1870s as a frontage Southern Pacific Railroad when the line was extended south of Pajaro to Salinas. The Elkhorn Road corridor would act as the primary highway between Pajaro and Castroville until a bridge over Elkhorn Slough replaced the Moss Landing ferry in 1884.

During 1946 the Elkhorn Road bridge at Elkhorn Slough was removed and replaced with the modern crossing via a tidal gate. The modern corridor has since remained largely unaltered and is now mostly used for visitation to the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Part 1; the history of Elkhorn Road

Elkhorn Road is named for and fronts Elkhorn Slough. This seven-mile-long slough is named for the one abundant Tule Elk which once resided along the estuaries of Monterey Bay. Elkhorn Road itself was developed during the early 1870s when the Southern Pacific Railroad coastal route was being extended south from Pajaro to Salinas via Castroville. Elkhorn siding was plotted on what is now known as Hummingbird Island.

Elkhorn Road can be seen on the 1882 Bancroft's map of California. The corridor is shown as a frontage of the Southern Pacific Railroad and the primary connecting highway from Pajaro southward towards Castroville. An alternatively highway is shown to the west passing through Moss Landing (shown as Moss Log) and crossing over Elkhorn Slough via ferry.

Elkhorn Road was the more popular highway across Elkhorn Slough until 1884. During Spring of said year the Moss Landing ferry crossing of Elkhorn Slough was replaced by a tolled bridge. This undated photo from the early 20th century is of the Moss Landing bridge is from the Vierra family collection (courtesy Elkhorn Slough Foundation).

The northern terminus of Elkhorn Road is displayed utilizing what is now Hudson Landing Road north of Elkhorn Slough on the 1912 United States Geological Survey map of Capitola. Elkhorn Road is shown to cross over the Southern Pacific Railroad then over Elkhorn Slough via now derelict wooden bridge (marked via blue pin).

The majority of Elkhorn Road is displayed in detail on the 1915 United States Geological Survey map of San Juan Bautista. Elkhorn siding is displayed as being active on Hummingbird Island. The siding along with many others would be abandoned as the Southern Pacific converted from steam locomotives to diesel. The siding name was carried over to a Census Designated Place which still exists in modern times.

Elkhorn Road can be seen in detail on the 1935 Division of Highways map of Monterey County.

The 1954 United States Geological Survey map of Moss Landing is the first to display Elkhorn Road following the modern tidal gate span (marked via blue pin) over Elkhorn Slough. This tidal gate was part of 1946-era modifications to Elkhorn Slough which were part of the larger construction of Moss Landing Harbor. This construction also saw the Salinas River modified to empty into Monterey Bay further south near Neponset.

In 1979 Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve was designated. The reserve is comprised of 1,701 acres which is managed by National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, California Department of Fish & Wildlife and Elkhorn Slough Foundation. The purpose of the reserve is to mitigate potential future losses of the Monterey Bay tidal estuary areas.

Part 2; a drive on Elkorn Road

Southbound Elkhorn Road begins at Salinas Road (former California State Route 1) south of Pajaro. Southbound County Route G12 is carried from Salinas Road onto Elkhorn Road.

Southbound Elkhorn Road makes a right-hand turn approaching Hall Road. County Route G12 transitions from Elkhorn Road onto Hall Road.

Elkhorn Road continues south over the tidal gate structure at Elkhorn Slough.

The ruined pilings of the wooden Elkhorn Slough Bridge can be observed facing east from modern Elkhorn Road.

Elkhorn Road continues south flanking the Elkhorn Slough Reserve held lands and enters the Elkhorn Census Designated Place.

Elkhorn Road crosses over a ford of Elkhorn Slough approaching Hidden Canyon Road. Traffic is warned not to cross the roadway when it is covered due to the saltwater content.