16 Best Half Moon Bay Beaches [+ Parking & How to Get There]

Are you looking for the best Half Moon Bay beaches? Then you’ve come to the right place.

This coastal town boasts several miles of beautiful sandy beaches, with breathtaking cliff views unique to this part of California.

With so many beaches in Half Moon Bay, it can be difficult to choose which one is perfect for what you’re looking for.

This guide covers the best Half Moon Bay beaches that you can visit, whether you’re looking for a dog beach to take your pup to, a family-friendly beach to take the kids to, or in need of a quiet place to relax.

You will find essential information such as parking, amenities on-site, accessibility, and whether you can bring your dog or not. So let’s dive in!

Best Beaches in Half Moon Bay

Poplar Beach

• Best For: Dog owners looking for a beach they can take their dog to
• Amenities: toilets, paved bike path
• Parking: $10/day pay to park lot, Google Map
• Pets Allowed: Yes (on a leash)
• Accessibility: hike-in, steep trail down from the parking lot

Poplar Beach, located north of Redondo Beach, is one of the few dog beaches in Half Moon Bay. 

There are stairs leading down to the beach which makes it easy to access, although there is a $10 parking fee.

This Half Moon Bay public beach is a good place to set up camp with your friends or family for a picnic and maybe even watch the sunset.

This beach can get crowded on weekends, so arrive before 10 am to secure a spot.

A paved trail is located just above the bluff overlooking the beach, which is popular with hikers, walkers, and bikers that love enjoying this easy trail that runs along the coast.

Local Tip: Check out the red double-decker bus at Cameron’s Pub & Restaurant, a quirky dog-friendly English pub about a 5-minute drive away.

Redondo Beach Half Moon Bay/Wavecrest Beach

• Best For: Those looking for a quiet beach with free parking, those looking for a fun, dog-friendly beach, those who want to explore tidepools
• Amenities: hiking trails, no other facilities
• Parking: free parking, Google Map
• Pets Allowed: Yes
• Accessibility: hike-in, there is no designated descent from the parking lot to the beach, and the path may be a little steep, so make sure to wear sturdy shoes

Located south of downtown Half Moon Bay, Redondo Beach is one of the best beaches in Half Moon Bay.

Access to this beach can be a bit challenging as it requires a steep descent from the parking area above a bluff, which explains why it’s less crowded than other beaches in the area. 

If you brave this steep yet short descent, you will be rewarded with a long white sand beach surrounded by bluffs that makes the entire area feel secluded. 

There is also a beautiful paved trail along the coast that you can take all the way up north to Half Moon Bay State Beach.

Plan your visit during low tide, and you can explore the Half Moon Bay tide pools that are just a short walk south of the beach.

Local Tip: One of the best redwoods in the bay area is close to this beach so you might want to check that out as well.

Half Moon Bay State Beach (Francis Beach)

• Best For: Families with kids and campers looking for a beach they can camp on overnight
• Amenities: restrooms, shade available, picnic tables, hiking trails
• Parking: $10 pay-to-park lot, Google Map
• Pets Allowed: Yes (on leash) on the campground, picnic areas, and parking lots but not on the beach
• Accessibility: drive-up

Francis Beach is the most popular beach among the Half Moon Bay State Beaches, and is also the most crowded. 

It has a visitor center, a campground, and easy access to the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail for hikers and bikers interested in using the beach as their base camp. 

This family-friendly beach in Half Moon Bay also has a nice grassy park on short bluffs equipped with picnic tables and barbecue grills for visitors wanting to picnic overlooking the ocean. 

The beach is wide, which is great for beachcombing, and you might even find a few people who brave its cold waters to swim or even surf.

Local Tip: Free street parking is available in the Alsace Lorraine neighborhood. Make sure not to park overnight out of respect for the residents.

Half Moon Bay State Beach (Venice, Dunes, Roosevelt)

• Amenities: restrooms, hiking trails
• Parking: $10 pay-to-park lot

These other Half Moon Bay beaches are less popular, but that doesn’t mean they are less beautiful. 

These are great options if Francis Beach happens to be too crowded for your liking. 

Venice, Dunes, and Roosevelt beaches all have wide white sandy shores that back up to small bluffs with picnic areas, public restrooms, and plenty of parking that are all connected by the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail.

Venice Beach 

This beach is sandwiched between Pilarcitos Creek to the south and Frenchman’s Creek to the north. 

You might find a shallow freshwater lagoon on this beach where kids can wade in if they don’t mind sharing the waters with a few birds.

Roosevelt Beach 

This is the most difficult to access amongst the HMB state beaches, which means you’ll find the least amount of people there. 

The beach used to have its own small parking lot, but the lot’s no longer safe for vehicle access and is now only used as beach access. 

Views from Roosevelt beach looking north offer a clear view of Pillar Point Harbor. 

Dunes Beach 

This beach is aptly named after the dunes that separate the sand and the bluffs from the parking lot, where you’ll find the sandy trails that will take you to the beach. 

Easy access from Highway 1 makes this a great pit stop for hikers wanting to step off the trail for a bit and walk along the sandy beach. 

Gray Whale Cove State Beach

• Best For: Visitors interested in whale watching, clothing-optional beachgoers looking for a secluded beach to sunbathe
• Amenities: Toilets
• Parking: free parking, Google Map
• Pets Allowed: No
• Accessibility: hike-in – steep trail and stairway leading to the beach

Gray Whale Cove State Beach, is a sheltered cove characterized by steep cliffs that drop abruptly into the Pacific Ocean. 

Come spring, it’s a great location to take out your binoculars and go whale watching, as gray whales frequent this part of the bay during their migration.

There is free parking available across the street, but you do have to cross Highway 1 and go down a flight of wooden stairs to get to the beach.

This beach near San Francisco stays pretty quiet, but it does get busy on weekends so plan accordingly. 

Steer clear of the north shore of the beach, right side from the stairs, if you don’t want to see some clothing-optional sunbathers.

Local Tip: Make your way north of the cove, and you’ll find Bunker Point, where an old graffitied WWII bunker perches atop the hill and juts out toward the ocean.

Cowell Ranch Beach

• Best For: those looking for a quiet beach, away from the crowds, with free parking
• Amenities: toilets, hiking trails
• Parking: free parking, Google Map
• Pets Allowed: No
• Accessibility: hike-in, steep stairs

Cowell Ranch Beach is a Half Moon Bay hidden gem surrounded by high bluffs and is accessed by making your way down a long stairway about half a mile from the parking lot. 

This beach is not well-marked and is relatively easy to miss giving it a quiet and secluded vibe most days as it receives fewer visitors than other HMB beaches. 

The Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trail begins just behind the beach access and follows the bluffs heading south. 

This section of beach with its high bluff walls is often referred to as the mini Cliffs of Dover in reference to the white-walled cliffs along the English Chanel.

Local Tip: The sand here is very coarse and grainy so it can get pretty rough on your feet but on the plus side, it won’t stick to your clothes.

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

• Best For: Families with kids, naturalists, and groups looking to learn more about marine life in the area, those who want to explore tide pools
• Amenities: restrooms, hiking trails
• Parking: free parking, Google Map
• Pets Allowed: No
• Accessibility: hike-in – stairs leading to the ocean have very steep steps

Among the beaches listed in this guide, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is the only beach that focuses entirely on protecting the beautiful and fragile ecosystem while educating visitors about its tide pools and wildlife. 

A self-guided brochure was developed by the Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve to serve as your guide for spotting its resident sea urchins, limpets, crabs, and the occasional red octopus. 

You might spot some harbor seals, sea lions, and even whales near the reserve if you’re lucky.

Local Tip: Make sure to check the tide charts for when it’s low tide, to explore one of the best tide pools in Half Moon Bay.

Surfers Beach

• Best For: Surfers looking for a beach with easy access and nice surf breaks 
• Amenities: restrooms, paved bike path
• Parking: free parking, Google Map
• Pets Allowed: Yes (on a leash)
• Accessibility: drive-up

Surfers Beach may not be the best beach in Half Moon Bay for big wave surfing, but it’s still a popular local surf break. 

This spot is a favorite amongst beginner and intermediate surfers practicing to join the big boys at Mavericks, which is the premier big wave surfing spot on the west coast. 

Its easy accessibility from the parking lot/main road, makes this an attractive beach for families looking for a great location to spread a picnic blanket and relax on the sand. 

The California Coastal Trail is located right behind the beach if you’d like to start from this spot and hike to the other beaches on the list.

Local Tip: Stop by Sam’s Chowder House next to the Pillar Point Harbor boat launch and warm yourself up with a bowl of clam chowder on a foggy day. 

Mavericks Beach

• Best For: pro surfers, visitors who enjoy watching surfers on the beach
• Amenities: toilets, hiking trails
• Parking: free parking at Pillar Point Marsh parking lot, Google Map
• Pets Allowed: Yes (on a leash)
• Accessibility: hike-in – keep a safe distance from steep cliffs on the bluff

When the conditions are right and large winter swells roll in, surfers from around the globe head to Mavericks Beach to take on one of the most legendary big waves in the world. 

There is even a big wave surfing competition held every year if the waves are big enough. 

Unique landforms underwater create big breaks that can reach as high as 80 feet, especially after storms in the North Pacific. 

Needless to say, this break is for pro surfers, but you can still enjoy the beach by hiking through some of its easy-graded trails. 

The Pillar Point Bluff Trail offers more panoramic views of the wet-suited warriors trying to conquer some of the biggest waves of their lives.

If you visit during low tide, you can see some amazing tide pools at Pillar Point. 

Local Tip: Visit the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company nearby at Pillar Point Harbor and enjoy a pint of Mavericks Amber Ale.

Miramar Beach

• Best For: those looking for a fun dog-friendly beach
• Amenities: restrooms, showers, bike path, hiking trails
• Parking: free street parking
• Pets Allowed: Yes
• Accessibility: hike-in – steep path descending to the beach

Miramar Beach is a dog-friendly Half Moon Bay beach that allows dogs off-leash, unlike other areas where dog owners overlook the ‘on leash rule. 

This small pocket of sand can get crowded during the weekend and on warmer days, but if you visit during quieter days, it’s easy to lose track of time while relaxing on its golden sands. 

The most straightforward access is down a steep path behind the footbridge, leading you under the graffitied bridge and through to the sandy beach.

Local Tip: Can’t get enough of the ocean views? Dine in at the oceanfront patio of the Miramar Beach Restaurant, which is just a four-minute walk north of the beach.

Three Rocks Beach

• Best For: A quiet beach with great views
• Amenities: Close proximity to The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Half Moon Bay Golf Links, restaurants, parking, picnic area, hiking trails, tide pools
• Parking: hotel valet or free parking at Redondo Beach
• Pets Allowed: No
• Accessibility: Hike-in

Three Rocks Beach is one of best beaches in Half Moon Bay that is only a couple miles away from Redondo Beach. 

This public beach is right by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and the closest parking is through the hotel’s valet.

If you don’t mind a little hike, you can park at Redondo Beach for free and walk to this beach.

The views from the trail are breathtaking which makes it a photographer’s dream. With its remote location, you can be assured that this beach will be quiet and peaceful.

Best Beaches near Half Moon Bay, CA

Martin’s Beach

• Best For: Those looking for a quiet beach away from the crowds 
• Amenities: none
• Parking: $10 on-site parking fee, cash only
• Pets Allowed: No
• Accessibility: drive-up or walk-in

Martin’s Beach is famously known for the huge sharkfin-shaped rock located at the north end of the beach. 

However, it has also gained much publicity after the public sued the billionaire who started denying access to this ¾-mile-long beach. 

In the end, the public won, and access to its wide white sand beaches was granted for public access again. 

This beach located in the Bay Area is not the easiest to get to and has a $10 parking fee, so it stays relatively uncrowded.

If you visit during low tide, you can check out the sea caves if you go north, as well as some of the best tide pools in the area.

This is the spot if you are looking for the best beaches in Half Moon Bay to catch the sunset. 

Local Tip: Hike towards the northernmost edge of the beach and look back. You will see the arch at the bottom of the sharkfin-shaped rock that’s otherwise hidden from view at the beach entrance.

Pomponio State Beach

• Best For: those looking for a quiet beach away from the crowds
• Amenities: restrooms, picnic tables (available at the parking lot)
• Parking: $8 pay-to-park lot, Google Map
• Pets Allowed: No
• Accessibility: hike-in

Hidden behind high sandstone bluffs are the narrow and flat sandy beaches of Pomponio State Beach. 

This kid-friendly beach near Half Moon Bay has a lagoon which makes for an excellent spot for kids to spend hours on the sand while safely wading in its shallow waters.

There is easy access to the beach from the parking as there’s no hike or steep stairs leading in compared to others on this list.

Because of the relative seclusion of some of its areas and the privacy provided by the bluffs, you may find some clothing-optional beachgoers sunbathing here. 

Local Tip: Check the tide charts and try to come here during low tides to explore some cave formations and tide pools on the bluffs that are otherwise difficult to access.

Pescadero State Beach

• Best For: Those who want to go tidepooling and birdwatching
• Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, and hiking trails
• Parking: $8 fee
• Pets Allowed: No
• Accessibility: Drive-up

Are you looking for a beach close to Half Moon Bay, with long sandy shores and less crowded? 

Pescadero State Beach is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Half Moon Bay, and it’s worth the trip.

One of the best things to do at this beach is to take a stroll on its mile-long shoreline while checking out it’s tide pools

You can also hike in the Pescadero Marsh, which is visited by over 230 species of birds. 

Leave your mark on this beach by building a driftwood sculpture and end your day by watching a glorious golden sunset.

Local tip: Make sure to stop by Duarte’s Tavern, which is a 2-minute drive from the beach, for the famous Olallieberry pie. Or visit R&R Fresh Farms for U-Pick strawberries when in season.

Good to know when visiting Half Moon Bay Beaches

• Bring Cash

Several Half Moon Bay Beaches have free parking, but if you visit a beach with a pay-to-park lot that requires a day-use fee, it would be best to bring a bit of cash with you. 

The parking costs around $10, and the self-service kiosks do not offer change, so bring small bills.

• Buy a California Poppy Pass

If you plan on visiting at least 12 state parks in California, then it’s a good idea to pick up an annual pass.

This pass will give you access to over 111 California state parks, from the state park beaches in Lake Tahoe, to the redwood forests all over the golden state.

• Always bring layers

Weather in Half Moon Bay remains relatively pleasant and cool all year round. 

The beach can get windy and foggy, especially in the summer, so bring a jacket with you in case it gets cold.

• Swim with caution 

Rip currents and strong tides paired with extremely cold waters are not a good combination. 

This is why swimming in Half Moon Bay is not recommended. If you decide to go for a swim, keep your guard up and make sure you don’t swim alone.

• If you go tidepooling, leave the sea creatures alone

It can be hard to keep your hands off the beautiful and colorful sea creatures you’d find in the tide pools, but make sure you do. 

Picking them up may cause undue stress, which can hurt or kill them. 

Also, most of the tide pools in the Bay Area are protected by law, so you are not allowed to take any souvenirs except for photos.

• Avoid rush hour traffic

Traffic heading to and from Half Moon Bay can get bad if you travel through San Francisco or San Jose. 

Rush hour traffic on weekdays (5:00-7:00 PM) can add hours to the drive, and weekend traffic in the mornings can be particularly bad.

Highway 92 is a one-lane road and gets backed up pretty bad during rush hour.

You can either plan to arrive before 10 am and leave before 4:00 PM or go later and stay til after sunset to beat the traffic.

Getting to Half Moon Bay, CA

Half Moon Bay is located 15 miles south of San Francisco and 40 miles from San Jose.

This beautiful coastal town is worth visiting as there are plenty of things to do, and one of the best stops along the Pacific Coast Highway if you’re going on a road trip.

If you’re driving from San Francisco, go south on Highway 1 for the scenic route to Half Moon Bay as you drive along the coast.

If you’re coming from San Jose, take 280 North then turn onto Highway 92 if it’s outside the rush hour. 

Otherwise, keep driving north then cross over to Pacifica and drive down south to the beaches on Half Moon Bay.

Best time to visit the beaches in Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay weather stays relatively pleasant throughout the year, so it rarely gets too hot or too cold in the area. 

The late spring and summer months can be very foggy, especially in the mornings, meaning that it can be a little chilly. 

The early fall has the sunniest weather and is often the warmest time of year to visit.

FAQs

What is the most popular beach in Half Moon Bay?

The most popular beach in Half Moon Bay is Francis Beach. It has plenty of shorelines to explore with paved oceanfront trails. Campgrounds and picnic facilities are also available for beachgoers.

Can you swim at Half Moon Bay beaches?

Swimming at Half Moon Bay beaches can be dangerous as there are no lifeguard stations. Strong currents, rip tides, and cold water makes swimming a bad idea unless you are a surfer or are a very experienced open ocean swimmer.

Is the water warm in Half Moon Bay?

No. The highest ocean temperature is 75°F in September, with the average air temperature at 67°F.

The beaches along the Northern California coast are not exactly the warmest beaches to swim in so you will need a wetsuit if you want to get in the water for an extended amount of time.

Wrap-Up: Best Beaches in Half Moon Bay

The best Half Moon Bay Beaches offer long stretches of sand that are perfect for relaxing and taking in the beautiful scenery. 

Go alone, with your friends, or with your family (maybe even your dog too!) and explore what this California coastal town has to offer.