Elkhorn is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Monterey County, California, United States.

[6][7] Elkhorn was originally a stop on the Southern Pacific Railroad 4 miles (6 km) north of Castroville, at an elevation of 10 feet (3.0 m).

[5] Local understandings of the extent of Elkhorn may vary from the Census definition.

The community receives mail within the ZIP Code areas of 95012 (Castroville) and 93907 (Prunedale / Salinas).

Elkhorn Slough, the largest tidal salt marsh in the area outside of San Francisco Bay, borders the northwest side of the community.

The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve promotes education about and preservation of the salt marsh environs.

Castroville Boulevard leads southwest to Highway 156 and east to the Prunedale area and U.S. Route 101.

Most residents live in detached single family homes with land, individual and shared water wells and leach fields.

Most Elkhorn residents work in the surrounding areas of Castroville, Prunedale, and Moss Landing, and in the nearby larger towns of Watsonville, Salinas, and Monterey.

Elkhorn shares zip codes with nearby Castroville and Prunedale.

The nearest business and retail center is located about three miles (5 km) away in Castroville.

However, many Elkhorn residents travel about 20 minutes to the nearby cities for greater retail and service needs such as department stores, movie theaters, and health services which are not located in Castroville.

As an unincorporated area, Elkhorn is administered by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.