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

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.

Wow this beach is beautiful. It's hidden. You'll drive past it and won't even know it's there…read more There's a parking lot but you have to cross the highway to walk down to the beach. Follow the path to the right and it'll eventually lead you to the stairs to go down. It's worth the view!

I love the stairs to get down (although you could take the sandy way down too) and all the "secret"…read moreareas you can uncover on the far side of the beach near the bunker, like the mini waterfall. Tons of little coves and rocky areas to set up picnic stuff or leave items while hanging out. The whole beach and large space near the entrance are available for reservation. A get together there would be so fun!! Huge parking lot -- you can start hiking a few different trails from it, and they do look beautiful based on the photos from other Yelpers. Never busy on weekdays btw. I sadly saw so much trash strewn about around the beach entrance and under the stairs in the form of beer cans, chip bags, and even a Target bag. You know where you parked your car? Yeah, there are actually trash cans, big ones, right there in that parking lot.. like 500ft from where you threw your trash away. Don't be an inconsiderate asshole. I love eating and drinking at the beach, responsibly, but pack up what you bring in. Classless people.

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.

This was a really nice spot to visit and hike up to one Thursday morning in April. No crowds, the…read moresun was out but not too intense, and the flowers were in bloom. Parking was easy and there were signs not just for directions but also providing information regarding points of interest. The parking lot was off Airport St. in Moss Beach. There were a couple of people walking with their dogs. There was an incline which brought you up a hill that allowed you to get a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. There was also a park bench under the shade of a tree where one can take a moment to rest and just take in the spectacular sights and sou

Quite overcast today but the beach was beautiful and not crowded. Lifeguard station was staffed…read more Parking was $10 for state beach unless you have a state parks pass. Bathrooms and trash facilities.

I'm almost hesitant posting this place because I love how it's always empty and the beautiful…read morewalking trail is clean and quiet. This is my favorite place to take my dog. Absolutely beautiful views, great walking trail that leads to the Marina on one side and a small city on the other. Highly recommend to anyone looking to take a nice walk along the beach, grab some food and drinks near the Marina or come early to purchase some fresh seafood. Happy Earth Day

Beautiful and quiet beach in moss beach- a true hidden gem! Little walking trail in the woods and…read moresome steps down to the stunning beach. Nearby is a great distillery if you're hungry after your trip to the ocean.

It's a small secluded beach at the tail end of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve where you will need to…read moretravel down a flight of stairs. No food or drinks allowed on the beach - just water. Clearly enforced by park rangers. It's to preserve the naturalness of the beach since it's part of the reserve. That is why I did not give this place 5 stars. It may be one reason why families don't flock to this beach or stay for long. They don't have trash cans readily available throughout the area so I'm guessing the "no food or drinks" rule is to avoid litter on the beach. All it takes is one irresponsible person to ruin this complex ecosystem for many marine animals. Although you can't enjoy food on this beach, what's nice and why young kids love this area is it's a great way to learn about tidepools and the marine life that live in these waters. You'll find all sorts of interesting wildlife when the water recedes enough to expose all the little creatures. The water here is almost always cold year-round so you won't see too many people swimming.

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.

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.

Daaaayum! I think I've just hit the jackpot. This beach right here is truly breathtaking. The most…read morebeautiful beach that I've been to in the HMB area and one of my new favorites! Stunning, stunning, stunning! What I initially thought wasn't accessible was actually just hiding beneath the bluffs. You want secluded?! Oooh, you'll get that here! I really think that most people don't know that this beach even exists. And even after I post this review, I'm pretty sure that it's gonna stay this way for a long time. This beach is accessible by way of the Pillar Point Bluffs Trail. The parking lot is tiny and there isn't street parking for almost a mile out, so this is probably another reason why it isn't crowded. There's a dirt trail and a paved road that both lead to the stairs down to this beach. The problem is, you won't even see the stairs leading down unless you're really looking for it. From the trailhead, it looks like the beach is far away and inaccessible, but it actually is. There's a steep downhill and then some steep stairs to get down here. But once you make it down there, it is so damn magical. When I first made it down here, there was absolutely no one else there. Not a damn soul. I was shocked but happy. Blinded by the beauty of the white waves and the coastal views of the land's end. The perfect friggin' beach and all mine in that very moment. It was so serene. Picture perfect. I didn't wanna leave but I did anyways, knowing that I'd be back. When I came back the second time, there were a few other groups there but that was it. That was all. Since this beach is tucked between Ross Cove, it feels so much warmer and keeps the heavier winds at bay. But, you still get that nice ocean breeze. Ended up staying for the sunset and it was everything that I imagined it to be. Peaceful. Calming. Beautiful. Just everything. The perfect beach, ladies and gents! I have nothing to complain about. Fell in love instantly and have been dreaming about coming back. And I'll get back there again real soon.

This is a hidden and secluded beach at Pillar Point, not easily accessible. In fact google maps…read morewill lead you to a cliff if you input walking directions, since there's no easy way to get there. There are two ways to access the trails leading here, either from the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve side, or from the Pillar Point Parking Lot which is where I hiked from this past weekend during my recent visit. It's easy to mistakenly take the coastal access trail from this lot, which actually leads to Mavericks Beach. To find Ross Cove, you'll have to walk toward the Pillar Point Airforce Station (golf ball looking structure) as the beach is right underneath this. I hiked a bit along the trail toward Pillar Point Bluff, and discovered a steep and rocky dirt path leading to the sandy oasis below (it reminded me of Davenport Beach, but without the safety rope). It was gratifying and I enjoyed exploring the area, with scenic views and crashing waves on this cool spring day with the clouds making way for some sunshine by the afternoon. FYI, parking is extremely limited on this side and they appear to be strict about not parking on the road, so that's one downside. There are porta potties available at this parking lot though, so that's a plus.

Pacific coast is so cool and Easy Bay locals can get to this place in about 45 minutes. Follow 92…read morewest to the end and it's a few more miles up highway 1 north on the left. Perfect off leash dog friendly beach. Coastal trail is right there if you prefer asphalt and we walk that too. But the dogs have only one thing on their minds when we arrive here and that's running. This beach can also be referred to as Surfers Beach as on the Apple map. There is a nice looking restaurant, Miramar Beach Restaurant right there, but we haven't eaten there. We probably should have after all the years. You can camp in one of two places, just down the road in HMB marina/harbor if you want to really soak in what's up here. We're early birds and see the traffic get pretty gnarly after around 11 in the summer on our way out. Work checking if you're in the area!

Stunning ocean views, dog friendly glassed in outdoor patio with propane heaters and fire pits…read more Excellent food & drink at reasonable prices. Staff is extremely knowledgeable and available to ensure a memorable dining experience with a glorious view of the Pacific Ocean at Miramar Beach.