If you're looking for a peaceful coastal escape, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is such a hidden gem. The tide pools here are the biggest we've ever explored--so much to see and wander through (definitely best when the tides are low!). We even spotted a baby seal, which made the whole experience feel extra special. The beach itself is calm, quiet, and beautifully blue--perfect if you're trying to avoid crowded, touristy spots. I personally skipped swimming since there's a lot of visible coral/rocky areas, but honestly, this place is more about exploring than swimming anyway. Just a heads up: there's about a 10-minute walk from the parking lot, but it's totally worth it. Overall, such a cute, peaceful place to spend a day by the ocean. read more

What a special marine preserve. Parking: very tight. When the tidepools are open; you will find very clean water. Tip: to find the path, walk up the road a couple hundred feet, look on the right side of the road for a path. There are bathrooms and two water faucets and several large wooden lunch tables. No fire pits. read more

A beautiful place to come to for tidepooling or just for a hike through the trees. On a sunny day, the trees will provide you cool shade but the sunlight will filter in and bathe everything in the most gorgeous light. We brought the kids tidepooling here and they loved it. Check ahead for what time low tide will be so you can plan accordingly. The main entrance to the beach from the visitor center is closed but you can walk 10 minutes over to the Seal Cove staircase and go down to the beach and rocks from there. Bring rainboots or shoes with good grip as the rocks are slippery. You'll see plenty of anemones and hermit crabs and will spot a couple of small fish darting by. If you're lucky, you'll even see a starfish! After being on the rocks for a bit, you can relax on the beach before heading back. Parking is a bit limited - there is a private lot but it fills up quickly but it shouldn't be too difficult to find street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. read more

This spot is such a hidden gem! Great for those that like the coast, forrest, and wildlife. The tidepools here are plentiful, they're always filled with sea anemone, crabs, and mussels, and if you're lucky you might even sea a starfish. The beach is also a popular spot for harbor seals, especially during pupping season, so you're likely to see lots of seals either laid out on the beach and rocks, or swimming around in some of the deeper pockets. Because of the popularity with the seals, sometimes the beach area is closed, which was the case on my most recent visit. Even if you can't hit the tidepools, there is a great tree-lined trail up top that has expansive views of the coast. There's also another beach access point off the trail a little further down, though it is a bit of a climb down the stairs to access the sand. Parking lot is fairly small, but people are coming and going often since it's not really a beach you go to for swimming and hanging around all day. read more

See all

A beautiful spot with a relatively easy walk to the beach, making this a family friendly activity across generations. Note - there is a staircase to get to the beach, so being able to navigate this is essential. The parking lot is small compared to the popularity of this spot, so it gets full quickly. Thankfully, there are some side streets that you can park at. The trail is easy, going through a forest and down a staircase to the beach. A walk to the rocks leads you to the tide pools where you can observe the marine creatures during low tide, so time your visit accordingly. It gets windy and colder near the beach and the rocks are slippery so dress accordingly with water appropriate shoes. We went during a king low tide and saw some sea anemones, mussels, snails and crabs. The hope was to spot some starfish and maybe even an octopus - but that will have to wait for another time. Because you can be sure - we will be back! read more

See all

What a wonderful area to visit and take in all the tidepools, the woods, and the beach! Came here with my kids and grandkids and we all had fun looking for hermit crabs, running from the waves, building sand castles, and flying our kite. There were also a lot of climbable trees on the way to and from the beach that the kids loved. The harbor seal swimming around in the water gave us our bit of marine life larger than the hermit crabs! Great place to go with kids. Note: there's a sign that said "No sand toys allowed" and "No food allowed," but there were lots of people with sand toys, buckets, and food on the beach. How can you go to the beach without these things?! read more

See all

Well maintained nature preserve with bathrooms, trails and a nature center. Follow the trails to see some really cool tide pools, seals, and other wildlife! Great place to take little kids! Rangers were really nice and helpful too. Will definitely be back! read more

See all

Great place for a walk and experience nature at its finest. Lots of people walking around. You can see some seals lying around on some rocks on the shore. Take a nice walk along the coast on the Fitzgerald Marine Coastal Trail. I definitely recommend coming here from some nature. read more

See all

I have had a visit to Fitzgerald Marine Reserve during King Tides on my bucket list for a couple of years now. Today I was finally able to make it happen. Low tide was predicted to be -1.57 around 3:20p AND the rain stopped! The walk from the parking lot to the stairs is gorgeous. The stairs were much nicer than any staircase to a beach I have ever used. And the tide pooling was phenomenal. Unfortunately no octopuses were spotted, which was the dream, but lots of other cool things. read more

See all

Like the Disney cruise of beaches. Everything is roped off driving all the people to one small entry stair case on the south side of the park. All the good tide pools are roped off. This is the second time we have tried to access this area. 500 people on the beach. People everywhere. Parking slammed. read more

This beautiful reserve quickly became one of my favorite places. We're lucky to live just a few minutes away. Why is it a favorite: Can't beat that view of the ocean Can't beat that view of seals on the beach or rocks Can't beat walking around tide pools and pointing out beautiful shells Our visits haven been during winter and, with the exception of one visit, we never had big crowds to deal with but I'm sure we will see more of that in upcoming seasons. Parking lot can hold 40ish cars and I'm sure will fill up quickly. read more

This is the best place. Free parking. Clean restrooms. San Mateo rangers coming and going. There was a group of day camp kids and a group of ranger guides. I think i love the San Mateo rangers. They know their stuff. Simple 15 min trail for you to walk on the bluff. Saw little harbor pups sleeping.out in the water along the shore. If you check the tides, you can come low tide to walk to the tidepools. Fascinating stuff to see. You must respect by not touching, moving, taking anything. This is protected Marine Reserve. I was so afraid of stepping on the anemones. Sea crabs. read more

See all

We've been wanting to visit this area, so we finally went when the tide was low at 8:24 AM, measuring around -0.1 ft. We arrived around 8:00 AM. It's a nice, peaceful area, and the kids had fun looking for anemones. I thought there would be more sea creatures to see during low tide, but we didn't encounter many. At least we enjoyed the ocean and got to watch some seals in the water. read more

See all

Wonderful place to check out tide pools and seals. Wear good slip proof shoes of course, and have fun discovering all the critters hidden in the pools. We saw plenty of anemones, fish, crabs, hermit crabs, snails, chitons, and even a nudibranch! read more

See all

When I lived in Moss Beach and you could take dogs down to the marine reserve, it was a complete wonderful thing. The Marine reserve itself is a fascinating place to observe ocean creatures like baby octopus and snails, etc.. It's a truly marvelous place. read more

Vitamin Sea Thirty-two acre preserve that extends from Montara Light Station (north) to Pillar Point (south) that was officially designated as a state reserve back in 1969. It's home to hundreds of marine species--twenty-five of which were discovered right here!--as well as dozens of shorebird species and other aquatic wildlife, like seals. The Good: *Free! *Restrooms at the parking lot *Very easy bluff trails that go thru a Monterey Cyprus forest that are perfect for both young and old; however, be aware that there are some stairs to get down to the beach area. *Maybe *THE* greatest tidepooling area we've ever come across, and we've been to a lot all up and down the CA coast, as well as Hawai'i. The area to explore during low tides is simply massive! You've just gotta come out and see it. The Meh: *Parking lot is a bit smallish and holds maybe 20 cars or so. There is some street parking in the neighborhood, tho. *No pets The Ugly: *As with any park that offers big rewards with minimal effort, it will draw in the crowds on weekends. But, c'este la vie... Conclusion: Amazing, spectacular, and it's nature! What are you waiting for?! read more

See all

Free parking! A short walk through beautiful trees, with ocean overlooks, to a nice beach where you can see seals just off the shore or on the beach. We stayed a week in HMB around Christmas and this was one of our favorite spots. read more

See all

Wonderful outing and leisure hiking area. Walk along the bluffs and down into Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Explore the tide pools and marvel at the power of the Pacific Ocean. Lotsa families with happy children exploring along the beach. Oh, and there are HERMIT CRABS, which I adore. read more

See all

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is discretely tucked inside a 3 mile stretch of San Mateo County coastline. It is just north of Pillar Point Harbor. Come to explore the colorful tidal life of various marine life including sea urchins, anemone, sponges, hermit crabs, sea stars and more. Shorebirds, harbor seals and the occasional sea otter can be spotted, and with the ever evolving tide pools, the Reserve delivers a unique opportunity to explore sea life! It's also the perfect spot to catch sunset and sunrise! Enjoy! read more

See all

We had such a blast here! Make sure to check to see when it's low tide so that you can see all the amazing creatures! We saw tons of sea anenomes, sea urchins, hermit crabs, etc. It was so beautiful and amazing to see them in their natural habitat. I heard some people saw some small starfish but we didn't spot any. There's also signs to not disturb the seals, but we didn't see any. I had worn water shoes, but the water was freeeeeezing as usual in the bay area. Smarter parents/kids wore rainboots which is what I'll do next time! No buckets or anything allowed on the beach since you are not allowed to gather anything. Parking was free. The woods along the beach are so beautiful as well. Make sure to walk through the "enchanted forest" for very instagram worthy photos! read more

Absolutely loved this place! The beach/Tide pool area was closed due to harbor seal pupping season, but honestly, I didn't mind at all. Watching all the baby seals from the trail above was such a treat, they were so cute, and it was great to see the area being protected for them. The whole reserve feels like stepping into another world. Once you walk into the tree-covered trail, everything changes: the air gets cooler, it gets quiet, and you feel totally transported. It's surreal and beautiful, and I wish we had time to walk the whole trail, but unfortunately this was an impromptu trip and we had other places planned but definitely something I'll come back for. The bathrooms were clean and had a spot to wash your hands, which I was thankful for. There's also a small exhibit area with interesting info about the local wildlife and a whale skeleton on display, which really gives you a sense of scale. I've lived in California my whole life, and this place still managed to surprise me. Can't wait to return. It's one of those spots that makes you remember how special this state really is. read more

So beautiful and peaceful! Definitely will be coming back, the sunset was stunning !! read more

See all

Came upon Fitzgerald Marine Reserve while researching places to take relatives around the Bay Area. This is definitely a nice recommendation for folks to see nature at its best especially if you can see it on a clear day. Half Moon Bay is usually cold cloudy and windy but we came here during Memorial Day afternoon and weather was nice! There was plenty of free parking and no entrance fee. There is a public bathroom if needed. It's a hidden gem. Very picture worthy by the ocean and cypress trees. You could sit here with a friend and chat while viewing the ocean. You will see many flowers around as well as a lookout of many sea lions. There is a bridge to go through but it's currently closed off due to a fallen tree but we crossed it somehow. There is about a mile trail for some exercise. This leads to a small waterfall to the beach with the water running off going into the ocean. It's pretty cool to see. It looks like the beach could have a high tide too rush in. Check it out! [22R,2023] read more

See all

Nice area with short trail to walk. It's super peaceful and beautiful. Didn't really see anything cool in the water but enjoyed the tree lined trail. It's an easy stroll with a nice clear path and loops around. I'd check this out again if in the area. read more

See all

Cool animals and quiet area! A good iternary is eating the the Moss Beach Distillery then driving or walking a bit to the Reserve. The tide pools are to the right of the beach and there's a lot to see! Come in the morning to see the low tide tide pools. read more

See all

I love to go tide pooling here :) This is the perfect place to go during low tide to check out some marine life. I always check the tide schedule online before coming out but even at high tide this area is so beautiful to look around. When you go during low tide you get to see starfish, hermit crabs, anemones, and so much more. I highly recommend read more

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve - Parks Near Me - Moss Beach, California

Love this place! I come frequently. It's great for families with kids who crave some movement and fresh air. Even when the tides aren't low enough to explore the pools, the mini forest and accessible beach is more than enough. The reserve is large enough for kids to explore and wander yet "small" enough for the grown ups to keep an eye on them without having to hover over them. Most people you run into on the trails are kind and willing to converse. There are a couple of forest schools there as well so expect to run into kids often during the weekday. You will on RARE occasions run into snobby folk but don't mind them, all they do is stare at you as though you're trespassing and complain amongst themselves. The seal resting areas are roped off very well in respect to their space which I appreciate. You can always see the seals from the distance & hear them as well! They also provide a restroom facility with flushing toilets, handwashing stations, and a water station + picnic tables. read more

If you haven't been here before, do swing by for a visit. Free parking and there are several entry points. One entry point near the parking lot leads to a rocky beach for a quick photo with the ocean and surrounding cliff. There is also a bridge between the vegetation that you'll see on your left shortly before reaching the parking lot, which is another entry point. Walking across this bridge leads to an area full of trees and makes for a nice backdrop for photos. There's an overlook at higher elevations for you to view the rocky beach below. Kids, for some reason, flock here in groups often with teachers as part of a school program. Towards one end of the reserve (cross streets are Marine and Beach), there's a staircase that leads to a different beach; one that's sandy and pristine which not many people know about. read more

See all

What a beautiful area to enjoy Mother Nature! For me, it's nice to sit and enjoy the views. So relaxing!! There's a small parking lot and street parking as well. There's also a restroom with outside area faucets to wash your hands. Convenient after walking/hiking to wash your hands before getting into the car without stepping into the bathroom! ;) Be careful and watch your step while walking. Some areas can be slippery with loose gravel/rocks with a slight hill to the trail. I ran into a couple of Park Rangers patrolling the area. Great knowledgeable people and super friendly. It's nice to learn more about nature and the area. Both were very funny, too. It's nice to joke around with them. I took many photos while walking around. Pictures on here doesn't do it justice. Being here in person is best. People from all walks of life enjoying the beauty. I'd come back again when in the area. read more

See all

This place is a gem in north Cali! It's historic, very scenic, beautiful and amazing! Take a stroll and take lots of pictures. Bring a nice jacket coz it's cold & windy at times. I love this place so much I'd love to come back. I will see you again soon! :) read more

Not a bad little spot to check out local tide pools. Lots of hermit crabs and sea amenities. We didn't spot any star fish. When it's low tide, it's really popular. Lots of people. Wear shoes with good traction. Sometimes you can see seals there. They have a no foraging policy- thank goodness. read more

See all

Proving once again that I am not in line to be the next Jacques Cousteau, I only realized on my third trip to this idyllic spot that I actually had to come at low tide to peruse the marine life in the pools. Not only that but low tide happens at a very specific hour that changes from day to day. Nature is just too spontaneous for me, but I managed to get here at low tide and traipse over the moss-covered reefs. It wasn't as precarious as I thought it would be, but marine sightings were sporadic - primarily lots of sea anemone (photo: https://bit.ly/3CrsZD2) and clams (photo: https://bit.ly/3CwaiOC). Unfortunately I didn't come upon any starfish, hermit crabs, octopus, or sashimi. OK, sashimi would be inappropriate at least until wasabi becomes an underwater plant like all the algae and seaweed all around. Truth be told, what overshadows the tide pools for me is the eerily beautiful forest of cypress and eucalyptus trees on the upper bluffs overlooking the reefs. There's an almost cinematic quality on how they stand next to each other. I'm surprised Hitchcock didn't use it as a setting in "Vertigo" (photo: https://bit.ly/3FsewIU). The setting has that ghostly photogenic quality that would've matched Jimmy Stewart's obsessive nature really well. Another beach awaits on the other side of the bluff down a long flight of stairs, this one more conducive for navel staring than starfish stalking. For the FitBit-obsessed, the reserve makes a perfect starting point for a longer coastal hike past the Moss Beach Distillery and onto Pillar Point and all the scenic walks that lead to Ross's Cove and Mavericks Beach (review: https://bit.ly/2XyYXhY). All of this makes for a uniquely Californian experience. RELATED - Exploring the Pacific side of the peninsula? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3aiDR9I read more

See all

I never knew there was such a rare and beautiful park like this in Moss Beach! There are spectacular views, similar to many stops along the coast... the water, the clouds, so much to appreciate on a sunny winter afternoon. But the most magnificent part is the forest of trees, almost like something out of a storybook. The pictures speak for themselves and do a pretty good job of capturing the feel of the environment. A main dirt path runs through the forest but there are actually multiple trails, and so much space to explore.... definitely a great hiking destination. We saw a couple visitors horseback riding in the park, in and around the woods.. The crooked branches and the way the seemingly endless tall trees open up to the sky is so picturesque. The sideways growing trees also make them ideal for climbing, so you may see kids (or adults) taking advantage of this. And obviously lots of shade for those warmer sunny days, and a couple benches within the forest (donated/dedicated to people of significance). The park is situated near a quaint town/homes, and leads to a beach. There's a free parking lot and small picnic area as well as a tiny office building that has a large TV screen educating viewers about the marine reserve and creatures throughout. They even have a self-guided tour, with informative sheets about the tide pools, animals, plants, and even a little bit of history. Absolutely love this place. Coming from the south bay, I'd say it's definitely worth the trip, driving out here. read more

See all

Tidepool, trails, and parking lot open again! Tidepool micro-universe, monochromatic but still bursting with life. Come early to avoid large crowds and parking does get very difficult during more regular hours. Not as colorful as some other tidepools but still fun for kids and adults alike. You can check the website to see what hours low-tide is before coming. On the right side coming down there are some nice rocks to sit at and climb while looking at the ocean. There are interesting trails that go through an area with trees and even loops to the back behind the beach, the entire trail had very good views. For older people or people with mobility issues keep in mind coming down there is some small rocks to step down and sometimes you have to strategically walk across rocks to avoid a small stream right near the parking lot. read more

See all

This is a fun place to learn a little bit about marine life. There's a small visitors center with knowledgeable guides to answer your questions. The tide pools along the beach are fun to explore. You'll easily find lots of hermit crabs and sea anemones. There's probably a lot more to see if you came during low tide, but we didn't, but there was still plenty to see. read more

See all

6/27/2021 I definitely love escaping the South at Summer heat and hide out in Half Moon Bay! I rarely ever venture off in this area than the normal beach area but there is sooo many nice trails and photography worthy landscape shots here! If you are ever interested in checking out the local tide pools, Fitzgerald Marine is the place to be for children and Adults! Check the low tide timing and come out ready for an adventure! You can definitely get up close and personal (gently) with the natural marine life! Just ensure you have the proper footwear - preferably water shoes , sanitizer, and bandaids for those potential accidents as you can slip if not careful. It's a marine reserve so separate from the beach area (coned off) for you to enjoy the tide pool and slightly to the right there is a seal area where they swim and sunbathe freely! After your done with the tide pool, take a stroll along the hiking trails! It's truly serene and a beautiful place to take some pictures. A small Parking lot is avail but gets crowded but if patient, people do come and go so you might be lucky! There is a public restaurant with tissue/sanitation papers and running water which is a nice welcome. Park ranger does come out to ensure safety and coned areas are followed. Have fun Yelp fambam! read more

See all

Love this place! Good size parking lot (go early in the morning). Nice restroom. Go to the beach on the south side. The one with stairs down the beach. So much less crowded! Tip on checking low tides * http://www.tides.net/california/2193/ * https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions.html?id=9414131&units=standard&bdate=20210801&edate=20210831&timezone=LST/LDT&clock=12hour&datum=MLLW&interval=hilo&action=monthlychart read more

See all

Still one of the best marine preserves in the bay area. Lots of people frequent here though, which can make some docent volunteers cranky...just beware of them. Some however are very nice and instructional. On a recent November weekend, we saw 6 different species of starfish at low tide, and rare 6-legged starfish. Just note their hours and that a major walkway to the upper cliffs is currently still closed. But you can see seals sunbathing and hanging in the water. read more

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve - Parks Near Me - Moss Beach, California

See all

I absolutely love Fitzgerald Marine Reserve - It doesn't get better than this in terms of getting up close and personal with nature, wild beauty of the ocean and sunset and the diverse marine life. Beautiful marine park, relaxed walks during low tide and you can see all kinds of beautiful marine life - some marine fish, hermit crabs, star fish, Sea Anemone, Sea Snails and even the lone octopus...you will also see clusters of seals but don't go anywhere near them...there are strict rules against it. A couple tips from someone who has visited this beauty numerous times: 1) check the tide forecast here - https://www.tides.net/california/2193/ and try and plan your trip when the low tides are less than 1m - this will assure you the best viewing. 2) Wear sturdy waterproof shoes/sneakers which have good grip as you have to make your way on slippery rocks. 3) Some sections of the beach are off-limits due to seal activity, so pay attention to the signage 4) Bundle up - it gets chilly and windy, regardless of season Most importantly have fun - you are in a place that is as close to heaven (in my opinion) that a human being can get to! read more

See all

A beautiful place for a walk or to check out tide pools, make sure you check the low tide schedules before going for tide pools. Was lucky enough to see a lot of marine life the day I went, crab, starfish, purple sea urchin. Important message, please do not disturb wildlife and do not take anything home. There was a bunch of family with kids and all the kids doing was to torture marine life, not nice! read more