Easy trail but very limited on where you can hike with your pup…read more - can't take your dog on the beach (it didn't stop some people). - most trails are not dog friendly (it didn't stop others). - the tree tunnel is eerily nice but again no dogs allowed (we took turns). Overall, it was a short visit for us even if it was for the brief the coastal view.

The cypress tree tunnel is a truly memorizing especially when there is fog surrounding but also can…read morebe a horrible scary movie science if you are by yourself here. Once parked here, there is plenty of parking and restrooms here. The road to the cypress tree was less than 5 minutes walk which can be easily discover. The staircase to the beach was also near by too if you want to see the sea loin. I recommended coming here on a sunny day or when it is sunset as the pictures will turn out to be better than when it is smoky foggy day.

If you're looking for a peaceful coastal escape, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is such a hidden gem…read more 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.

A beautiful place to come to for tidepooling or just for a hike through the trees. On a sunny day,…read morethe 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.

Very scenic beach convenient to hayward and pacifica and even San Francisco…read more Perhaps you need a quick holiday getaway - this is probably the nearest patch of Pacific ocean you haven't seen yet. Tide pools, wildlife and a very underrated beach you just might love. It's just a few more miles from Pacifica and driving down this highway is full of great views.

Fell in love with the beach and long walkway lined with trees. It was magical. It's definitely…read moregetting into my list of recommendations when we have out of town visitors.

Montara State Beach is one of my favorite beaches for engagement sessions in the Bay Area! It's…read moreclean, relatively quiet, with access to public parking and bathrooms before heading down to the sand. As a photographer, I love shooting here because the light is always beautiful; whether it's golden hour in the wintertime, or fog in the summer, there's plenty of space to explore. Even on breezier days, the movement adds such an organic, natural feel to the photos. It's perfect for couples who want something adventurous and a little wild, but still close to the Bay Area, and always highly recommended!

Beautiful scenery Montare is. And it's & great for fishing and surfing from dusk til dawnread more

Quiet easy trail and not too long! Peaceful stroll, seems popular as you will see many others and…read moredogs and sometimes bikes on the trail. I liked it, quite unknown little trail. Worth checking out if you want a nice walk. Being outdoors is good for you. Hear the ocean waves, feel the breeze, catch a sight of a rabbit scurrying into the bushes Free parking lot. Not packed

A gorgeous spot for an easy coastal stroll along the bluffs with convenient beach and park access…read more Pillar Point Bluff is a stunning area of Half Moon Bay/Moss Beach that's filled with a ton of beautiful walking trails. I say "walking trails" loosely because many of the trails can be considered light hikes, but it's an enjoyable coastal stroll nonetheless. I did a 6 mile walk through the bluffs from Johnson Pier to Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and it was so unbelievably beautiful. Many of the trails are dirt paths but there are also sections of paved paths making it accessible for strollers and the handicapped. There's little to no shade on these paths, but the cool breeze from the beach will keep you cool. The best part about the bluffs of course are the lovely views. There are coastal views a galore and a few different ways to access the beach if you want to make a pitstop. I stopped by Ross Cove and Maverick's Beach on my jaunt through the bluffs, and both beaches were stunning. The parking lot is extremely small considering the amount of people that flock to this place. It's shared by beach goers, walkers, and fishermen, so you can imagine how busy and crowded it gets. My one piece of advice would be to park somewhere further (I parked at Johnson Pier) and make a day out of it while exploring the entire area. Or, try to stop by in the early morning hours or right before sunset when the crowds is thinnest. This is also a popular destination for people with dogs and small children since the trails are fairly easy to maneuver. I will definitely be exploring the bluffs a lot more when I'm in the area again. It's a great spot for a beautiful coastal walk.

What a fantastic park for the little ones, located at the back of Pacifica. Since it's more in the…read morevalley, it's shielded a bit from the sea winds and the weather is quite nice. The play structure is massive and definitely caters to the little ones' imaginations as you can pretend you're in a castle, complete with turrets. They also have a sandbox, playhouses, and swings, so you are sure to find something for all the kids to enjoy. They also have picnic tables and a giant grassy area where you can run around, hold birthday parties, or just sit to have lunch. A couple of bathrooms are located on site, and they are relatively clean, although they do not provide soap or sanitizer.

Great park. There are lots of trees. There are trails. There is a playground with baby swings and a…read morecool train structure. There is a tire swing! There is a walk climbing wall and a few slides as well as 2 sets of monkey bars and bridges. It is a nice big park and a great place to have a bbq or a picnic. It would also be a great place for events or birthday parties as well. I love it!

I had a blast here. My stay here was very peaceful and relaxing. I definitely recommend this spot…read morefor a day of relaxing.

Half Moon Bay State Beach is an easy 20-25 minute drive from the Peninsula on a weekday, which…read moremakes it a great low-effort escape. It's one of those places I keep coming back to without much planning (like yesterday!). Wide, clean, and perfect for long walks, quiet conversations, and just letting the sound of the waves do their thing. There are picnic tables, BBQ areas, restrooms with running water, and a beautiful coastal trail for walking or biking with ocean views the entire way. Parking is $10 in the lot, though free street parking is possible if you don't mind walking (and reading the signs). Weekends can feel chaotic and crowded, but on weekdays it's calm, spacious, and grounding -- the kind of place that resets you without trying too hard.

There is no ocean view from here at all, despite the name. Still, this is a wonderful park for…read morekids. There are couple play structures, grass area, restrooms, a large barbecue, and several picnic tables. We stopped by here to have a quick picnic lunch and ended up staying for couple hours because the kids wanted to run around and climb the play structures for a long time. There is not much shade, so do bring sunscreen. Also, try to sit far away from the barbecue grill because you will not want to socially distance from the food others are grilling...

This park is awesome! 3 play structures to meet the play needs of different age groups (big kid,…read morelittle kid, and toddler). Clean equipment that works well. This may be our preferred park playground in Half Moon Bay!

A nice place to come and picnic/let kids run around. I wish there were a few more picnic benches…read moreavailable - they have more available within the playground itself which is technically animal-free but since we had our dog and the one table outside the perimeter was taken, we decided to take our chances and break the rule. Trash cans and bathrooms are on site, it's nice for adults to be able to sit back and enjoy while keeping a close eye on their kids. The park is set back a little bit from the street and has trees surrounding it which helps to provide a buffer on a windy day. There is also a hiking/biking trail available here if you want to go on a short hike.

Just came here to park for a zoom meeting. It was very quiet and it seemed pretty saferead more

Driving down Highway 1 after you past Devil's Slide and La Costanera, you could easily pass by this…read morelighthouse without knowing it exist. Unless you're looking for it, you'll catch a glimpse of it when you're driving southbound. The place is currently closed to the public (for obvious reasons) but prior to Covid-19, anyone can visit the compound and it provides free parking. There are also benches to have a quick picnic and you'll have a great view of the Pacific. If you're feeling adventurous, there's a trail that will lead you down a hidden beach below. Prior to a storm, I can find myself just watching the powerful waves crash against the rocks along the shoreline and the sound and site is just mesmerizing. It's one of the best therapies you could ever have and it's a stress-reliever. Best part of all, this whole experience is free. The lighthouse itself is not open to the public, but you can roam around and enjoy the grounds and scenery. There's a house that was built in 1863 that provided additional 2 bedrooms for the quarters, and it is very well-maintained. In 1961, an additional duplex structure was added with a 3 bedroom unit. These buildings are now a hostel next to the lighthouse, so please be mindful of their guests and just respect their rules. In 1991, the place was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The original lighthouse was built in 1875 to guide the boats along the coast, and it originally used kerosene lantern. In 1912, it was converted into a fourth order Fresnel lens. In 1881, the current tower was built and upgraded in 1928 with parts from the discontinued Mayo Beach Lighthouse from Wellfleet, Massachusetts. The lighthouse has been standing here since, perched along the rocky coast. Not bad for a lighthouse that's 145 years old. Wish I'll look this good at that age. #YelpChallenge2020 review No. 18

Cool place to see. Nice view of the pacific ocean. Drive along the coast is worthwhile.read more