Zmudowski State Beach, State beach in Monterey County, US.

Zmudowski State Beach is a state beach on Monterey Bay at Moss Landing, Monterey County, northern California, operated by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Its 155-acre parcel, acquired in 1950, includes 9,124 feet of oceanfront, with the Pajaro River estuary and its tidal wetland at the northern end. The sandy beach is backed by dunes and marsh; erosion wears it back about 2 feet a year.

The beach is named after Watsonville schoolteacher Mary Zmudowski, who donated the land to the State of California. In 1950 the state acquired a 155-acre parcel from her, including 9,124 feet of oceanfront. The Park Commission renamed the site from "Pajaro River" to Zmudowski in 1952 to recognize the family's contribution.

The beach's name honours Watsonville schoolteacher Mary Zmudowski, who gave the land to California; the Park Commission renamed the site from "Pajaro River" to Zmudowski in 1952 to recognise the family's contribution. The Pajaro River estuary beside the beach is a tidal wetland where salt marsh has shrunk by 66% since levees were built between 1870 and 1956.

Access is via Giberson Road, a two-mile narrow road through agricultural fields off Highway 1, about 20 miles northwest of Monterey. Swimming and surfing are hazardous because of strong rip-currents. Horses are only allowed near the waterline.

The beach is named after Watsonville schoolteacher Mary Zmudowski, who donated the land to California in the 1950s. The Park Commission renamed it from "Pajaro River" to Zmudowski in 1952 to recognize the family's contribution. The pronunciation is "zhmud-UV-ski."