California’s Half Moon Bay is a beautiful coastal town located just south of San Francisco.
The town is best known for its stunning beaches, which are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing.
Half Moon Bay also offers a variety of other activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. There are several golf courses in the area, as well as hiking and biking trails.
The town is also home to a number of art galleries and shops.
If you’re visiting Half Moon Bay, be sure to check out the following beaches:
Best Half Moon Bay Beaches
These are some of the best beaches to visit at Half Moon Bay.
1. Gray Whale Cove State Beach
This is a quieter beach and it does not cost anything to enjoy the day at this beach. The beach is tucked away and many people do not know it was there. There is a great view of the ocean. The sand is soft and is great for lounging or taking a stroll. This beach does have nude sunbathing at times so keep that in mind.
2. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
This beach has a low tide and it may be a little rocky to some but there is the chance to see some great marine life. This marine life includes octopus, sea stars, sponges, and other sea life.
3. Surfer’s Beach
This is the place to go for surfing. The waves are big and it is also a nice place to sit and watch those with an interest in surfing. When visiting Half Moon beach this is also a great location for taking a kayak out for some fun.
4. Half Moon Bay State Park
This is located at the Dunes and in Venice. It is great for taking a walk along the sand. These beaches are so close to each other that they are often considered to be one. There is plenty of parking and the beaches are not as crowded. Low tide is the best time to go for a walk on the sand. These beaches also offer the chance for swimming and sunbathe.
5. Half Moon Bay State beach at Francis
This is the only beach that will allow for RV parking. There are some campsites which will allow access to the beach. There are some great cliffs to allow a view of some of the best sunsets on the west coast. Also in this area, there are shops and restaurants if a person wants to take a break from the sand.
6. Poplar Beach
This is a great beach to go to for dog lovers. This is one of the few beaches in Half Moon Bay that allows dogs. The dog does need to stay on a leash. This beach is good for families and is great for a fun outing for the entire family including the pet.
7. Redondo Wavecrest Beach
The beach is located south of Poplar and is another beach that allows dogs. The main difference is that this beach is much quieter than the others. There is a 4-mile walking loop that will go around the beach. A person can see nice views and they can also see red tail hawks. While the hawks need to be left alone they are still cool to see.
8. Cowell Ranch Beach
This beach is quiet and there is no charge to enjoy the day. While this may not be as popular that is fine with most people as they will avoid the crowd. After parking, it will be half a mile to access the beach but may feel that is worth it.
The view on the way to the beach is something to admire. The beach is home to harbor seals and they like to hang out and chill on the beach. If a person wants to get up and get moving there is the Cowell Purisima Coastal Trail which is a nice walk.
This will allow a person to get their exercise in and they can enjoy some great views as they are on this walk.
These are the best beaches to visit on Half Bay Moon. These beaches may be a little different but they all have clean sand and clear blue water. Any of these beaches will allow a person to enjoy their day and they will not wait until they can go back.
Dunes Beach: This beach is located just south of Half Moon Bay and is known for its large dunes. The beach is also a great place to go fishing or boating.
Pillar Point Harbor Beach: Located in Pillar Point Harbor, this beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and windsurfing.
Mavericks Beach: This beach is located just north of Half Moon Bay and is known for its huge waves. The beach is also a popular spot for fishing, picnicking, and hiking.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Half Moon Bay, there are a number of hotels and vacation rentals available.
Other stuff to do in Half Moon Bay:
Visit the Ritz-Carlton Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton is located on a bluff overlooking the ocean in Half Moon Bay. The hotel features a spa, fitness center, and golf course.
Check out the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival: This annual festival takes place in October and features a variety of art, food, and entertainment.
Take a scenic drive down Highway 1: Highway 1 runs along the coast and offers stunning views of the ocean.
Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach or enjoy some of the other activities Half Moon Bay has to offer, this visitor guide will help you plan your trip.
Half Moon Bay: A Visitor’s Guide
I had always wanted to visit Half Moon Bay. Situated just south of San Francisco, the coastal town is known for its stunning beaches and other attractions. I finally had the chance to visit in early September, and it was even more beautiful than I had imagined.
The town is home to a variety of art galleries, shops, and restaurants. There’s also a golf course, a few hiking trails, and a few places to go fishing. But the real star of Half Moon Bay is its stunning coastline. The beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing.
My trip to Half Moon Bay started out with a visit to Dunes Beach. This beach is located just south of Half Moon Bay and is known for its large dunes. The beach was also a great place to go fishing or boating.
Next, I headed to Pillar Point Harbor Beach. This beach is located in Pillar Point Harbor and is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and windsurfing. I watched some windsurfers take on the waves and it was really impressive.
After spending some time at the beach, I drove up Highway 1 to check out Mavericks Beach. This beach is located just north of Half Moon Bay and is known for its huge waves. It’s also a popular spot for fishing, picnicking, and hiking. I didn’t see any huge waves while I was there, but it was still an impressive sight.
After spending a day exploring the beaches of Half Moon Bay, I checked into my hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The Ritz-Carlton is located on a bluff overlooking the ocean in Half Moon Bay. The hotel features a spa, fitness center, and golf course. It was the perfect place to stay after a long day of exploring.
The next day, I started out by visiting the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival. This annual festival takes place in October and features a variety of art, food, and entertainment. There was so much to see and do at the festival that I didn’t have time to see everything. Highlights included a pumpkin carving contest, a beer garden, and live music performances.
After the festival, I continued my tour of Half Moon Bay with a drive down Highway 1. This scenic road runs along the coast and offers stunning views of the ocean. It was the perfect way to end my trip to Half Moon Bay.
Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach or enjoy some of the other activities Half Moon Bay has to offer, this visitor guide will help you plan your trip. I had an incredible time exploring all that Half Moon Bay has to offer and I can’t wait to go back again.
Hi, I’m Ryan Nelson! I live in the Hamptons, out on Long Island, near Ponquogue Beach. The beach is a place where I can find peace and serenity. It’s a place where I can sit and clear my head. The waves crashing on the shore somehow helps me to relax, while also reminding me that I am far from the stressors of daily life.
