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Half Moon Bay State Beaches

Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail, Half Moon Bay, California

Description

Half Moon Bay is located on the western shores of the San Francisco Peninsula, it has 6km of protected beaches in a state park, namely Roosevelt, Dunes, Venice and Francis Beaches (from north to south). It is well known for its rare western snowy plover colony and as a popular venue for fishing and bathing/sunbathing. There are some popular surf spots as well such as 'Mavericks', just offshore of Pillar Point.

Access & Transport

Half Moon Bay is 45km south of San Francisco along the CA-1. There are plenty of parking spaces near the beaches (some charge $10/day). Bus 17 goes there from Linda Mar but no direct connection with San Francisco. The visitor center is located at Francis Beach.

Instructions & Recommendations

Expect cold water and potentially big waves

Meta review

Excellent reviews overall as one would expect for a string of beautiful and protected beaches. Visitors find it a great place for walks, play, picnics and note that the waves can be big and 'treacherous' + the weather can be cool and windy. The only recurring negative comments relate to the usual risk of car break-ins in the SF Bay area and the restrooms needing cleaning more often.

Environmental & Social

No carbon footprint linked to this activity. Some economic benefits to the local community

Conclusion

Excellent venue for walks and some beach time for those who prefer it natural rather than resort-style. A nice stop on a coastal drive for travellers on a regional itinerary.

Key positive

Gorgeous coastline

Not very busy

Key negative

Water is cold and sea can be rough

Suitability

Best for good swimmers so families with younger children should be cautious. Wheelchair users will need assistance to reach the beaches (some are easier to get to than others)

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

Updated in July 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Seasonality relates to the weather and sea temperature. Accessible year-round

av. transport time:0h 45m

est. visit time:2h

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningOk

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightNo

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

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