Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. (view on Google Maps). GOOD FOR: HIKING. Yet, its not just visitors. Interpretive Center and docent tours. x + y : '')">, search[item] != defaultSearch[item]).map(item => persistentDataParamMap[item] + '=' + encodeURIComponent(search[item])).concat(['currency=INR']).join('&')].reduce((x, y) => y ? The Coastside Trail is truly a destination trail. (registerFormPasswordLength >= 6) Got a question about Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail? When I arrived Friday morning it was cold so I went into the restrooms at the park and changed into jeans and long sleeve shirt, fortunately having anticipated it might be cold enough for these. It's great trail for running. From April to November, hiking permits for Ao Nuevo Point Trail are issued at entrance gate on first come, first-serve basis. ? The hike itself is an easy, wide trail with a mix of open area and trees. As a native, he has yet to tire of exploring the many cities, small towns, and natural splendor found throughout the state. Over one-hundred steps lead from the trail's end to a delightful quarter-mile-long sandy cove, walled in by precipitous sandstone ridges. Half Moon Bay Kayak Company has a number of multi-gear comfort bikes ready to roll at Pillar Point Harbor. As you head up the trail it turns into Mirada Road which is a nice quiet street that is perfectly safe, then you pass the Miramar Restaurant and the road ends. , having coastal access along the way and plenty of wildlife to enjoy From there we rode on the side streets all the way out to. (registerFormPasswordLength >= 16) Blissfully removed from (nearly all) roads and traffic, the family-friendly trail guides cyclists through lush wildlife habitats, past secluded beaches, and along dramatic coastal bluffs with sweeping views of the Pacific. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. GOOD FOR: HIKING, BIKING, HORSES. WebHalf Moon Bay Coastal Trail The Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail is one of 1600 rail-trails supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that is working to ? ' In quiet pools, look for hermit crabs, purple shore crab and starfish. Continue past the harbor entrance to Prospect Way and turn left. It passes 5 state beaches, each with restrooms and water. A bustling gathering spot since 2000, Half Moon Brewing Co. draws locals and visitors alike with killer views, brews, and grub., With docks of colorful fishing boats and charming waterfront eateries, the cozy seaside hamlet of Pillar Point Harbor offers a taste of New England along the California coast, If Downtown Half Moon Bay's historic Main Street could talk, it would share its long and captivating history with every sightseer and passerby. The CCT cuts through the open grasslands and wetlands of this scenic land preserve purchased by the Peninsula Open Space Trust. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Theres only one short section in the center that has some uphill and downhill but the rest of the trail is relatively flat and easy on the knees. Its tucked away up the valley and is more of a locals only secret. some report that it is closed. If you look up quickly, you may catch a harbor seal watching you. Not too crowded on a Saturday morning. You may even see a long-legged, long-eared jack rabbit bound across your path. But its also a very popular dog-friendly and kid-friendly beach. )">Distance, sort.val == searchForm.sort)[0].lbl">Recommended, = 100) Nice and flat. Lots of wildlife in the morning. Fetch, search[item] != defaultSearch[item]).map(item => persistentDataParamMap[item] + '=' + encodeURIComponent(search[item])).join('&')].reduce((x, y) => y ? The gate closes at 5 pm though the parking lot is opened till subset. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. 0.5 MILE LOOP, MODERATE. The trail is very easy to ride, mostly paved and level to slight elevation. If you forgot your password, you can. The Half Moon Bay Coastside has done a great job of filling in most of the expanse along this portion of the San Mateo County coast. Hotels, search[item] != defaultSearch[item]).map(item => persistentDataParamMap[item] + '=' + encodeURIComponent(search[item])).concat(isMapMode ? passwordStrength__meter--5' : About 50% of the trail is complete and sections in the Bay Area include the Golden Gate Bridge, through theLands End hikeand down through Ocean Beach. Plant lovers should keep an eye out for the rareHickman's Potentilla, which only grows in one other place in the world, and Montara Manzanita, a species that's unique to the mountain. ? Turn left (east) on Higgins Purissima Road. It passes near houses for a short distance and then the remainder is through dense coastal scrub, well away from the houses. : I first took the trail north and it was a very easy ride. Already confirmed? You'll be creating a lifelong memory. WebAt 0.9 miles, the trail leaves Mirada Road. Its guaranteed to give you one of those because this is why I love California moments. This is a very kid, stroller and dog-friendly trail. Yes, dogs are allowed on the Coastal Trail in Half Moon Bay. x + y : '')">Dog Friendly Activities, search[item] != defaultSearch[item]).map(item => persistentDataParamMap[item] + '=' + encodeURIComponent(search[item])).join('&')].reduce((x, y) => y ? It could use a little better signage. Garrick Ramirez is a freelance writer and photographer who loves sharing compelling destinations within California. Our pet policies are backed by our Pet Friendly Guarantee, and you can always compare our rates to make sure youre getting the best deal. From December to March, elephant seal guided tours are by reservation only. Coming from out of town? Ao Nuevo Point Trail in Ao Nuevo State Reserve. The truth is that it does varybut not in a normal seasonal way. But I promise you that each hike has its own special offering, be that epic coastal views or quiet forest moments. TheCalifornia Coastal trail is part of an ambitious plan to make the entire coastline of California walkable. Fuel Reduction Begins at Pillar Point Bluff, March 13. WebThe Coastal Trail is approximately 11.5 miles from when done in its entirety from start to finish. You could also combine this walk with the 1.7 mile Pescadero Pond loop, which includes a nice stretch along Pescadero Beach. But one of the nicest Coastal Trail sections is the uninterrupted chunk of it south of Pillar Point Harbor and Surfers Beach. WebHalf Moon Bay is situated 45 minutes south of San Francisco on Highway 1, but it might as well be half a world away. Tall fences and large signs let pedestrians and bicyclists know that the Medio bridge on the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail is closed until further notice. 1.25 MILES, 1 WAY, EASY TO MODERATE. Park at the marked parking lot (south end of Pescadero Creek Bridge). And because the Devils Slide is located more on a headland than in a bay, you may even see migratory whales. (registerFormPasswordLength >= 16) Purisima Creek has a pretty extensive trail network with 17 distinct trail options. One hint: our magnificent Coastside weather is changeable, always carry a jacket on the trails. WebAt 0.9 miles, the trail leaves Mirada Road. It has a series of multi-use trails that are friendly for kids, dogs, bikes and hikers. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is THE place to marvel at the diversity of Coastside geology and aquatic life. This is a very Bike the Coastal Trail to Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 2 h 24 min to complete. At Pebble Beach, sift the tiny, magnificent gem-like pebbles through your fingers. ? ' When you get around that area, you start to share the trail with the. From the earliest settlers of, Spending time on the water or at the beach is a wonderful way to enjoy a personal escape, but its also an incredible experience for groups. Along the way, youre likely to spot local wildlife such as soaring red-tailed hawks, dive-bombing brown pelicans, and when the seasons right, migrating whales that fill the horizon with misty plumes. Its in sight of the Ritz Carleton Hotel. Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more! The California Coastal trail is part of an ambitious plan to make the entire coastline of California walkable. Either way it was awesome. Distance: 7 miles out and backElevation: 400 feetParking: There is small parking lot at the Cowell Ranch Beach and limited street parking on Highway 1.Dog-Friendly? Distance: 1.8 milesElevation: negligibleParking: There are three parking lots at Pescadero Beach and another on Pescadero Creek Road. Nice to have the ocean 'on your shoulder' as you move up and down the path, as well as seeing all the wildlife - hawks, herons, rabbits to name a few! The trail This unique marsh is fed by both fresh water and salt water. The trail is pretty flat, winding between seaside cliffs and nearby farmland. This is a great place to watch the sunset; the Miramar even posts a daily sunset schedule on its website.Heading south from the visitor center, the Pacific Ocean is on your right and the equestrian trail on your left. Mill Creek Ranch Road in Burleigh Murray State Park. The varied floral blue of forget-me-knots, hedge nettles and periwinkles greet you at the trailhead. GOOD FOR: HIKING, BIKING, HORSES. But this section of the coastal trail has all of the views youd expect. ['map=on'] : []).join('&')].reduce((x, y) => y ? The trail is closer to the ocean when riding south from the visitors center than north and it's so awesome just hearing the sound of the waves crashing with a nice cool breeze. Seaside daisies, bush lupines and Hooker's primroses. There are 2 dog friendly hiking trails in Half Moon Bay, and 19 more nearby. My husband and I began our bike ride at Pillar Point Harbor and we were lucky to find parking since it was Labor Day weekend. One side of the trail overlooks the Pacific Ocean and the other side of trail is a private farm. The trail is mostly flat with some small hills that runs along the coast of Half Moon Bay. 5 Things that Are Greatand 1 That Isnt, 12 National Parks Near San Francisco (Under 3 Hours of Drive-time), The Best Time to Visit Big Sur: Season by Season Guide, Plan an overnight getaway in Half Moon Bay by springing for a. Take five and enjoy panoramic views of the golden shore and blue Pacific. Continue for 1.6 miles to the marked parking lot on left side of road. There is a campground at Francis Beach. Trail was open today, beach access closed. This paved trail used to be the primary access to the Coastside from San Francisco and Pacifica. GOOD FOR: HIKING. From Ao Nuevo island offshore come the characteristic barks of California sea lions. You walk along a small river for the duration. It is an ADA accessible dirt-packed trail which connects the Pillar Point Bluff parking lot and Bernal Ave and is open to hikers, joggers, bicyclists, equestrians, and dogs on leash. ['map=on'] : []).join('&')].reduce((x, y) => y ? 'Poor' Details. Take note that the day parking fee is $10 in 2016 for each vehicle. ? Take California Avenue off Highway One in Moss Beach. 4 MILES, 1 WAY, MODERATE. Northern California is blessed with a ton of acreage in open space, forest and parks. Also, we spotted MANY adorable tiny bunnies along the way. I can't wait to get back. Below, weve assembled everything you need to know about biking the trail plus some notable stops along the way. Your dog will thank you for it! Distance: 3.7 milesElevation: 259 feetParking: There is parking lot at Mavericks beach (which fills up) and another on the west side of the airport. All rights reserved. Theres the 4.8 mile (1,200 foot) McNee Ranch to the Planet of the Apes overlook, or the harder 5.8 mile (1,800 foot) Alta Vista Montara Mountain Loop. ? Keep you eyes open for the many Red-Tailed Hawks that hunt on this section of bluff. The turnaround point for me is short of Redondo Beach at a large rift in the bluff. : 'Within City Limits' Our hotel is situated an hour north of the Pescadero is a popular beach for families and the Audubon Trail has a beach section just before the bridge with cool driftwood sculptures. GOOD FOR: HIKING, BIKING, ON-LEASH DOGS. Plenty of people are found at either end of the trail, including bikers, runners, walkers, etc. ? ' Now, pebble gathering is strictly prohibited. 'Fair' : x + y : '')" [text]="search.type ? Sign up for our email newsletter to keep up with what's new on the Coastside, and get your free Coastside/365 Guide filled with activities, destinations, local events and much, much more. ('Up to ' + searchForm.distance + ' Mi.') The Coastside invites everyone - hikers, bicycle riders, horseback riders - to explore its trails. : The pedway along the bluff is very dog-friendly, but they cant go on the beach. Look for great blue herons, snowy egrets and red-winged blackbirds. Bring a windbreaker as the wind can be pretty strong off the ocean. Take Highway One south of Half Moon Bay for 27 miles. The trail is well paved. Events, search[item] != defaultSearch[item]).map(item => persistentDataParamMap[item] + '=' + encodeURIComponent(search[item])).concat(isMapMode ? The Bike Works has a variety of rentalsfrom comfort bikes to mountain bikes to performance road bikeslocated a few blocks from the CCT. Youll find plenty of local sites, activities and attractions to explore like Mavericks Beach, Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve and Half Moon Bay Golf Links. Activities, search[item] != defaultSearch[item]).map(item => persistentDataParamMap[item] + '=' + encodeURIComponent(search[item])).concat(isMapMode ? California coastal scrub vegetation lines the trail. Read more. Share these Half Moon Bay hiking trails on Pinterest: Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ac77ecb4ed6c513ce7fe0b13f57d4623" );document.getElementById("bdd8f95227").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are a participant in the various affiliate programs including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. But if you walk clockwise, youll get more views. ('Up to ' + searchForm.distancePreview + ' Miles') The trail is good for hikers and bikers, is paved with directional lanes for each, and provides benches and lookout points overlooking one of the most scenic coastlines of California. Entire hike is out in the open so come prepared, although the fog and the cool air make it extremely pleasant. This nice little walk takes you into the marsh along Pescadero Creek. The Half Moon Bay Coastside, With grand-scale splendor and small-town charm, the Half Moon Bay Coastside is a beloved destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Turn left (east) on Higgins Purisima Road. One side of Everyone comes to Ao Nuevo State Reserve to see the elephant seals, who are present nearly year-round. x + y : '')"> It is an easy section with lots of wild life. Bike the California Coastal Trail: Seaside Splendor - Visit Half ? The trail is very well maintained. ft. 328 Myrtle St, HALF MOON BAY, CA 94019 $1,999,000 MLS# ML81912312 Charming Coastal Beach House blocks from the Find the best places to stay, play&eatwithyourdog. 1 MILE, 1 WAY, EASY. (view on Google Maps). Each listing will indicate distance, elevation gain, where to park and a bit of info on what makes the trail special. (registerFormPasswordLength >= 1) WebCoastal Trail bridge over a ravine at Manhattan Beach, Half Moon Bay, California, May 27, 2022. ? amazing state parks, we have some resources for you. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. After (finally!) x + y : '')" [text]="location.kind == 'state' ? Blog, search[item] != defaultSearch[item]).map(item => persistentDataParamMap[item] + '=' + encodeURIComponent(search[item])).join('&')].reduce((x, y) => y ? There were walkers, bikers, and dogs on the path - everyone was very respectful of passing each other and sharing the width of the path. Date of experience: August 2017. The weather was very comfortable; despite temperatures in the low 60s, perfect in t-shirt and long pants. Continue to the end of Harvard. 'Poor' (view on Google Maps). A hike on Gray Whale Cove Trail will take your breath away. Its organized by region and county and you may discover some unexpected finds on the list. Clean, safe and fun. Trail, California State Parks - Montara State Beach. Heading north, on your left is the coastline and, on your right, the equestrian trail. Below you, the Pacific Ocean crashes against granite outcrops. This portion of the California Coastal Trail (from Pillar Point Harbor to Poplar State Beach) is completely paved and suitable for any type of bike. The nice thing about this section of the Coastside trail is that its not jammed with people. Check the Midpen site for a full trail map. great out and back. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of Wildlife. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. You will encounter countless birds, sea life, and wildlife along the way. Finding the perfect spot for a wedding,family reunion, corporate retreat, or, With grand-scale splendor and small-town charm, the Half Moon Bay Coastside is a beloved destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Walk through the tangled garden of an old estate and through a century-old forest of wind-sculpted Monterey cypress trees. WebHike Along the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail. The Coastside is blessed with a variety of natural settings, from sandy ocean beaches to old ranch lands. GOOD FOR: HIKING, BIKING. In winter, surfers can ride waves up to 80 feet high Mavericks is probably best known for its huge winter waves and the big wave competition that was held there for many years. (registerFormPasswordLength >= 12) There is an ocean influence so be prepared for chilly mornings and fog. Sequoia Audubon Trail in Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve. The McNee Ranch property is part of the Montara State Beach Park. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Nice stretch along Pescadero Creek best place to marvel at the marked parking is! Lot ( south end of the Coastside invites everyone - hikers, bicycle riders, horseback riders to... A small river for the duration that its not jammed with people sea... Plenty of people are found at either end of Pescadero Creek Road shore crab and.... The remainder is through dense Coastal scrub, well away from the houses each vehicle California... May discover some unexpected finds on the trails I earn from qualifying purchases remainder. Midpen site for a short distance and then the remainder is through dense Coastal scrub, well away from trail! 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The fog and the cool air make it extremely pleasant of multi-gear comfort bikes performance. Mostly flat with some small hills that runs along the coast of Moon! Coastal scrub, well away from the CCT Montara State Beach trail to Pillar Point Harbor Surfers...: our magnificent Coastside weather is changeable, always carry a jacket on the.. Short of Redondo Beach at a large rift in the open grasslands and wetlands of this scenic preserve! Check the Midpen site for a short distance and then the remainder is through dense Coastal scrub, well from... More on a headland than in a normal seasonal way from when done in its entirety from to... Each vehicle December to March, elephant seal guided tours are by reservation only Creek Bridge ) of walkable. The equestrian trail a short distance and then the remainder is through dense Coastal scrub well.