Check business hours. San Mateo County's coastline is comprised of more than 300 square miles of beautiful California landscapes, with easy access to sandy beaches, redwood forests, and open spaces. The coastline encompasses the cities of Half Moon Bay, Miramar, Montara, Moss Beach, El Granada, San Gregorio, La Honda and Pescadero. The Visit Half Moon Bay website is a joint effort of the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Office, the Half Moon Bay Hotel Business Improvement District, and the Association of Half Moon Bay Center.
Events and activities Campfire Program for Rangers Coastal Wildflower Day Facilities Available Drinking Water Available Picnic Tables and BBQ Grills Toilets with cistern in the septic system (Francis) Vaulted toilets Showers (Francis) Outdoor showers Accessibility to designated parking spaces Complies with the ADA requirements of the coastal trail Visitor Center and store Accessible to the coastal trail Wheelchair access to Francis Beach Wheelchair available at the entrance station de Francis Beach Park website Park brochure Park brochure (Spanish) Campground map Camp reservations Ocean safety restrictions No dogs on the beach, must be leashed in the park No collecting on the beach No beach fires No fireworks on the beach No fireworks Special contacts permissions for weddings and parties filming and photography permits for profit Become a park teacher Native plant restoration is constantly under way at Half Moon Bay State Beach and everywhere else state parks on the San Mateo coast. The native plant nursery has volunteers who collect seeds and cultivate the plants to place them in the appropriate habitat. Some of the results can be seen on the native plant trail, just north of the Francis Beach fire pit. The open areas of the sandy beach and dunes attract numerous shorebirds that feed on abundant invertebrates.
The most notable bird seen is the small western snowplover that lives on beaches all year round and nests on Francis Beach between March and September. He can be seen running across the sand and the water's edge, or sitting well camouflaged with footprints in the sand. The western snow plover is protected as a threatened species by the Federal Endangered Species Act. Their traditional nesting areas in the Francis Beach dunes are protected with a cable (“symbolic fence”) .Wire “enclosures” in boxes are erected to protect nests from predators, but they allow parents and chicks to come and go.
State Parks sponsors the Snowy Plover Watch volunteer program to help study and protect plovers along the coast of San Mateo County. Dogs are not allowed on the beaches and must be on a leash anywhere in the park. A horse trail runs parallel to the coastal path from Dunes Beach to Francis Beach. Horses are restricted to the designated trail and are not allowed on state beaches.
Francis Beach has an all-terrain beach wheelchair, which was made possible in part thanks to a grant from the local section of the Lions Club. Unlike street wheelchairs, this specially designed chair has large balloon tires that allow it to be used on the beach without sinking into the sand. With this chair, wheelchair users can access the beach at several locations along Half Moon Bay State Beach. The chair is available for public use at no cost and can be picked up at the Francis State Beach entrance station on Kelly Avenue.
Native American inhabitants used the beaches for digging clams and fishing. The streams provided fresh water and also contributed to the habitat where food could be collected. At least two prehistoric sites have been found near Frenchman's Creek. With your generous donations, the Coastal State Parks Association can fund dozens of projects each year to help our local state parks.
Many include supporting educational programs, maintaining interpretive signage, beautifying entrance stations, improving access to parks, and funding many other daily operations. Enter your email below and we'll keep you updated on the latest projects and events. The Coastal State Parks Association is an official non-profit partner of the San Mateo Parks and Recreation sector of the State of California. Visit www, parks, ca, gov for more information about California state parks.
Our federal identification number (EIN) is 94-3130418. Several miles of wide sandy beaches welcome visitors to Half Moon Bay, which offers first-class opportunities for sunbathing, fishing, picnicking, relaxing, swimming, and camping (on the state beach). The California Coastal Trail is a much appreciated feature of Half Moon Bay, and can be accessed from several locations along the coast. Mirada Surf West is located in El Granada, just south of Pillar Point Harbor (just north of Half Moon Bay). Native plant restoration is constantly underway at Half Moon Bay State Beach and all other state parks along the San Mateo coast.
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival, Pacific Coast Dream Machines, 4th of July fashion show in Sol fashion, Make it Main Street, Nights of Lights, live music. Tucked along the California coast, Half Moon Bay welcomes visitors from all over the state and the world. You can fill out the Poplar Beach annual parking permit application here: Version: Options: Visit the beaches of Half Moon Bay, owner. Typical weather patterns in Half Moon Bay include fog in summer; clear, crisp days in fall and spring; and wet, windy winters.
The Half Moon Bay State Beach visitor center is located in Francis Beach and is open on Saturdays and Sundays (weather and volunteer availability allowing). The coast of San Mateo County, around Half Moon Bay, is one of the largest beach areas in the San Francisco Bay Area. Once the form is completed, print it out and submit it via USPS to 507-B Purissima Street, Half Moon Bay CA 94019. Search all accommodations 1855 Zaballa House Aristocrat Hotel Beach House Hotel Cypress Inn On Miramar Beach Half Moon Bay Inn Half Moon Bay Lodge Harbor View Inn at MavericksMill Rose Inn Nantucket Whale Inn Ocean View Inn Ocean Hotel & Spa Quality Inn Seal Cove Inn The Miramar Inn and Suites The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. It's home to the Half Moon Bay State Beach Visitor Center, which is open on weekends and offers visitors an opportunity to learn more about the park's ecology and history.
The coastline of Half Moon Bay is home to a wealth of hiking spots, from lush redwood forests to rolling coastal slopes. Half Moon Bay's main street is the Bay Area's best kept secret, where you'll find unique and interesting shops, epic restaurants, art galleries, tasting rooms, and more more.
