Surfers float offshore, waiting for the next wave, horses trot along the bank of Little River, and other folks simply sit and watch. Climbers also use this beach extensively, scrambling all over the boulders and setting up practice routes on the main bluff, called Karen Rock. Karen got its name from grafitti, a love message that once marred its face. Those words are long faded now. Fortunately for the rock, climbers prefer to leave only gymnastic chalk, and civic-minded climbers with wire brushes have removed other unwanted paint jobs over the years.
Moonstone is the gateway to local rock climbing.
Its closeness, coupled with accessible and varied routes, makes it the place to go if you are looking for climbing partners or simply want to hang out. Some days so many ropes are hung from the bluff that it looks like climbers are trying to tie it down. Like many residents of the North Coast, this beach is one of the first places I ever climbed. I would make my pilgrimage. I tried my best and studied more skillful climbers.