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    Pomponio State Beach

    4.6 (51 reviews)

    Pomponio State Beach Photos

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    Montage of images from Pomponio State Beach
    Ed U.

    There's a certain point when you're driving south on Hwy One and realize there's no such thing as a wrong turn when it comes to the series of sequential beaches south of Half Moon Bay.This one is about twenty minutes away between the San Gregorio and Pescadero State Beaches. Like San Gregorio, Pomponio has a wide beach, a small lagoon, a picnic area, restrooms (thank goodness), and a large escarpment with a trail that really leads nowhere. At San Gregorio, it ends at a chainlink fence because the beach abuts private property. At Pomponio, it simply stops at a cliff where you can see San Gregorio in the distance. But you don't come here to hike, at least on the bluffs.You come to see the Pacific roll in between your toes. Did you know the beach was named after an insurrectionist from a couple of centuries back? Makes the mind reel, doesn't it? Parking costs $8 which is pretty standard. RELATED - Going to a beach? Here's a collection of beaches I've visited, reviewed, and photographed: https://bit.ly/3rMOJ7b

    David F.

    Doing a little beach hopping, we stopped by Pomponio State Beach on a Tuesday afternoon. Having just paid the entrance fee at Butano State Park all remaining state parks would be free for the day; there was a ranger at the entrance in spite of it being a weekday. My wife was tired and took a nap in the backseat, so I sauntered along the sandy beach for a while. It's a pretty beach, and bigger than it looks from the parking lot, as it stretches out along the coast. All was quiet on this weekday afternoon: a couple fisherman, a few other people, and that was it. I came back to the car and gave my wife a few more minutes. Then a funny thing happened: a middle-aged man that had been relaxing on the picnic tables with his wife came up to our open window and said "Excuse me. I just wanted to say I love the color of your car! My wife and I were debating the color; she thought it was burnt orange but I disagreed". We had just purchased a used RAV4 a few weeks earlier, and I told him the color was "Hot Lava" - it was one of the main reasons we picked this one. He seemed pleased and wandered off, and my wife and I had a good laugh about it later.

    11/14/2022:  Pomponio State Beach's kiosk.
    Shirley M. F.

    11/14/2022: Pompano State Beach is the location where I celebrated my high school prom night due to the inability splurging on a prom dress; as a result, I drove to Pomponio with some classmates, I lit a bonfire, and drank cheap wine. That's my prom night in a nutshell . . . Oh, btw~Since I'm camping at Half Moon Bay State Park, i.e., HMB, I just place my Campsite's tag on my windshield equating, I don't have to pay! Schweet, eh?

    Ocean view
    Betty D.

    We escaped to the beach in a HOT day in Concord. Have to admit, it was a bit cooler than I expected (and of course I didn't have a sweatshirt) and the traffic getting there was terrible (full disclosure, the Bay Area temps were +100° AND it was Labor Day weekend). But enough about non-beach things. This beach was PERFECT!! We arrived a little before noon and the parking lot was already full (see comment above about temps and day we were there). They let us drop our stuff and recommended we park up at the top of the hill to the left of the parking lot (parking is $8 cash). The beach itself was clean of trash but lots of beach/ocean debris that you would expect. It was actually pretty cool to see a bunch of Dungeness crab legs and bodies everywhere (I was a little jealous the birds got them before me - lol). There are two restrooms which were pretty gross smelling but clean. We didn't think the beach was busy at all but listening to a family nearby, I heard them say they haven't seen it this full in a long time. We will definitely be going back!

    Charlie B.

    Yes, I love this beach. What I love is the access from parking to the sand. Stellar! Never crowded on the weekdays. Quiet Safe And you can sleep on the clean sand ;)

    New Year's Day sunset
    Lily P.

    If you love long walks on the beach and watching sunrises/sunsets, this is the beach for you. As a native New Yorker where you better watch your step in the sand (glass shards and empty beer cans) on the beach, this oceanic heaven was an upstanding paradise. Right by Highway 1, the place has all-day parking for $8. There were still empty spots on New Year's Day, and the beach is very accessible from the parking lot. There are cliffs that you can easily walk up as well to get stellar views of the Pacific. Definitely recommend staying until sunset, you will not regret it!

    Great quiet beach but cold here. We came at 2 pm. Bring jackets, prepare for temperature change. We left at 5 pm and it became very cold.

    Found a perfect and pure sand  dollar!  God is good!
    Amy H.

    I enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at Pomponio State Beach. All I did was sit there by the seashore and wait. Patiently listening for the ripples in the water and within 20 mins, a whole & beautiful sand dollar washes up ashore. I quickly picked up the sand dollar and called it a day :) Sand dollars are a symbol of peace and it looks like an Easter lily with a star in the middle which serves as a reminder of the birth of Christ.

    Gil G.

    Always a great spot!!! Family or just for you and a love!!! Great sand and nice water!!!

    Pomponio State Beach
    Anu M.

    What: - Beach - Birds - Lagoon More Info: - $8 car parking fee (applicable to all the state beaches along CA-1 S for that day) - Restrooms - BBQ pits - Plenty of parking spaces Honestly, the Pomponio State Beach was not too different from the San Gregorio State Beach (http://www.yelp.com/biz/san-gregorio-state-beach-san-gregorio#hrid:HnUK8XcpNiIF3A5s7GIR8w). The shallow lagoon serves as a good playtime for the kids. We spent a few minutes here and took off. It looked like every beach along this coast had barbecue pits for those interested to have a ducky lunch along the shores on a beautiful sunny day. Pomponio State Beach - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/jBIhtsdowiW2DZU8OJwdcA?select=vr2Nvd7y0E-2OYtSD0aoHA#9YjtvTY15fy-p7WCOMtJAA

    Wendy Y.

    What a hidden gem! My friends and I came here on a Saturday afternoon (around 2pm-ish) and it wasn't packed at all! I kind of really like the seclusion you get from this beach because this beach is not too well-known and it's kind of underrated. The parking is pretty bad though, but you can drive up a bit and park on the right side of the road, like everyone else! You save on the parking fee from that, too! The drive here isn't all that bad, coming from Fremont at least. You do go through the hills and the windy roads, but it's actually pretty okay. I usually get car sick during these long drives down Highway 1 or just windy roads, but I was completely fine this time! Aside from that, the beach was beautiful! We went on a pretty sunny day but it had a nice breeze. The sand was soft and the water was really nice (and not too cold). There was also a small lagoon where all the kids were playing in. To be honest, I wouldn't want to go in there because it looked pretty dirty. Overall, this is definitely one of the lesser known beaches in the area. I love beaches in all shapes and sizes, so this is no exception. You should definitely check this beach out if you're looking for a new place to explore!

    Where else do you find a beach THIS peaceful on Memorial Day?!
    Ashley W.

    What an awesome beach! My beach partner and I live near San Jose and wanted to find a beach that wouldn't be super crowded on Memorial Day--seems impossible, right? This place was perfect. We walked about 50 yards and were away from virtually everyone! Super calm and quiet. Great weather at the end of May. Clear and warm but not super hot with a nice breeze. The only thing I didn't like about it seems to be a symptom of all nearby beaches: Those little cricket-like bugs that hop around under the sand. We did a bit of digging near the water and the bugs are enormous! Like horrible sand roaches! Luckily the bigger ones stay burrowed in the sand. Yech. Once you see San Gregorio State Beach lot the Pomponio lot is just another minute or two South. $8 parking fee, probably because of the holiday.

    Sam M.

    Pomponio is one of our favorite beach along Highway 1. One of the main reason is the lagoon for kids to swim in the shallow and not so cold water. The beach is not huge with white sands but it has many little things which make it perfect for the families: - Maybe 6-8 benches with BBQ pit - 2 clean restrooms but no water - Easy access to the beaches - Plenty of parking spaces (people come and go) - Small lagoon for kids to swim - A small nearby cave for you to explore - Friendly park ranger It would have been a perfect 5 stars if they have provided water at the restroom for you to wash your hand or feet. It cost $8 to park at the State beach but you can use it for any state beach along highway 1.

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    3 years ago

    Gorgeous beach with smaller crowds, feels more intimate and special. Great whale watching too!

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    Great and relaxing beach to go to with minimal people there! Perfect for a small getaway away from the city.

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    10 years ago

    Looks nice, but dogs are only allowed in the parking lot, not the beach. Kinda what's the point then...

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    Ask the Community - Pomponio State Beach

    Do they accept credit cards for parking?

    No only cash in emvalops

    Is there signal at Pomponio State Beach in San Gregorio?

    No only a stoplight

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Pomponio State Beach

    The park ranger comes over to collect the fee or you can pay it at Gregorio Beach that has an assigned park ranger.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Pescadero State Beach - Pescadero State Beach

    Pescadero State Beach

    4.6(107 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    Pescadero State Beach offers a stunning stretch of coastline with some of the best tide pools in…read morethe area. There's tons of marine life to find, and it's a great place to walk around and explore. There are multiple staircase entry points, though the access isn't very elderly-friendly. Once on the beach, the terrain is uneven, so it's better suited for people who are comfortable walking on rocks and sand. This is a great spot for people looking to gather mussels, rock crabs, and for fishing. The starfish here are massive, and the anemones are everywhere -- really impressive to see up close. There's plenty of parking, and we prefer the north entrance, which tends to be our favorite access point. The main downside is the bathroom situation. They're in pretty rough shape, and the park could really use some maintenance here -- it's clear many people avoid using them, which unfortunately leads to waste showing up in parking areas.

    Beach Slapped…read more One-mile stretch of CA coastline that's just as jaw-droppingly beautiful as the rest of the area with its sandy beaches, high cliff line, and almost always cool, temperate climate. The Good: *Right off the PCH, which is always fun to drive. :) *Beach is separated into a north end and south end by Pescadero Creek. *Fishing is OK (I mean it's in the name!) *South End had picnic tables and a fairly clean restroom and was free to park. *North end also had restroom, but there's an $8/fee to use that end. *Must come here (South lot) to access the Marshland Nature Preserve across the highway. The Meh: *North side only has parking but no restrooms that I saw. *No dogs *No camping *No fires *Area is kinda desolate, as there's not much around. It is, however, only ±20min from HMB. The Ugly: *While a great Beach, it is kind of a schlep to get here from SJ, as you have to go North in order to go South to get to the beach. Conclusion: Great little lowkey Beach that has access to an amazing marshland nature preserve that's great for bird watchers.

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    Pescadero State Beach - Pescadero State Beach

    Pescadero State Beach

    Pescadero State Beach - Pescadero State Beach

    Pescadero State Beach

    Pescadero State Beach - Pescadero State Beach

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    Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve - Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    4.4(13 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    Don't Marsh my Mellow…read more Update July 2025: the main Sequoia Audibon Trail is currently closed for construction until (allegedly) Oct 2025. There's a website to track the construction if you're interested: https://www.sanmateorcd.org/project/pescadero-marsh-habitat-restoration-and-resiliency-project/ In the meantime all the other trails are open and hikeable but be aware none of them actually connect and are all out-and-backs: 1) Butano Trail: access by parking in dirt lot on Pescadero Road. Put in 1958 Pescadero Creek Rd into your GPS. 2) Round Hill Trail: access at the end of Water Ln, by the park offices. 3) North Pond Trail: Access by parking at the north end of Pescadero Beach, and then you'll have to high-tail it across the PCH to get there. Normally, this Trail connects to the aforementioned Audibon Trail, but not with the current construction. Put in 18253 Cabrillo Hwy into your GPS for the parking lot.

    I love this place! The first time we came was back in 2022 and we did the Sequoia Audubon Trail but…read moreit was closed yesterday due to construction. So we did the Butano Trail instead. And what a beautiful trail it was! It's not very long--about 2 miles out-and-back. But simply gorgeous with lots of birds, wildflowers and so peaceful. We had the entire area to ourselves (except for one couple towards the end). There's plenty of parking (there's about 3 different parking lots in the area depending on which trail you want to do or if you want to check out the beach), free and there are bathrooms. Not the best bathrooms but they're decent. We're always so surprised that no one comes here. But that's okay. We love the quiet.

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    Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve - Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve - Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve - Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

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    Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Hidden Beach

    Hidden Beach

    3.0(2 reviews)
    4.0 mi

    This place sucks dangerous to climb down and dangerous parking someone died here very recently…read moretrying to climb down. Also the high tide comes up to the cliffs and can trap you, no way out for a mile or two, don't go!

    Hidden Beach -- at least that's the name I know it by -- can be found by (carefully) parking along…read morethe side of Highway 1 about a mile south of Pomponio State Beach. After parking your car, walk about a quarter of a mile down a chasm, crossing a sometimes treacherous log, and then scaling down about a 15 foot sandstone wall face. Once descended, you will discover yourself to be on one of the area's most pristine beaches. The rip currents and aggressive tides ensure that nothing stray stays on the beach -- no seaweed, no shells, no nothing. So the beach is always clean and raw. The coastline here for about 3 miles long has a 100 foot cliff wall at the back of the beach, which means that this access point is the only one for at least a mile in either direction. People go here to get away from it all, and sometimes you may see some discreet nudists, but I don't think it's known to be a nudist beach. A great place for dogs and people to get close to the elements, listen to the pounding surf, feel sand between you toes, and wonder about how you can feel so far away, yet be so close to the hustle and bustle of the 408, 650 and 415. Please don't tell everyone about this place. Oops, I guess I just did.

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    Hidden Beach
    Hidden Beach
    Hidden Beach

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    Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trail - Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trail

    Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trail

    4.8(26 reviews)
    5.9 mi

    Cowell-Purisima Trail -- where the Pacific Coast puts on a show!…read more Just south of Half Moon Bay, the Cowell-Purisima Trail unfolds like a love letter to the California coast. This 3-mile, one-way ribbon of well-maintained path (easy to moderate, with just a few short, steep bites) hugs dramatic bluffs as part of the legendary Coastal Trail -- and the views are nonstop. Walk it and you'll feel the ocean wind on your face, watch waves explode against cliffs below, and scan a panorama of green headlands that roll into blue forever. Wildlife is part of the cast: harbor seals bobbing in coves, pelicans gliding in formation, hawks circling overhead, rabbits darting through brush, lizards sunning on rocks, and wildflowers painting the trail in season. It's a living field guide out there. Parking is easy at both the north and south trailheads. From the northern lot, a half mile in you'll find a stunning wooden stairway that drops you down to Cowell Ranch Beach -- a secluded cove that feels like a secret reward. Heads up: poison oak and ticks like the off-trail areas, so stay on the path and you'll stay happy. This trail isn't just gorgeous -- it's rejuvenating. Go early, go slow, and let the coast do the talking.

    Nice easy hike along the coast. In spring time the best views are at the beginning of trail. The…read morerest of the trail looks kind of the same.

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    Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trail - Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trail

    Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trail

    Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trail - Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trail

    Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trail

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    El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve - Manzanita and Gordon Mills loop hike

    El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve

    4.5(77 reviews)
    7.6 mi

    This place is stunning ! There are so many trails to choose from, and a number of parking spots so…read moreeven during late morning my husband and I were able to find parking in one of the lots. We decided to just go see the giant sandstone, which did not disappoint ! I really appreciated how well the trails were marked so that you knew clearly where you were going. On the way to the sandstone, it was also coo lto see some ocean views as well as random open fields in the dense woods here and there. Definitely a worthy hike to try ! This place is stunning ! There are so many trails to choose from, and a number of parking spots so even during late morning my husband and I were able to find parking in one of the lots. We decided to just go see the giant sandstone, which did not disappoint ! I really appreciated how well the trails were marked so that you knew clearly where you were going. On the way to the sandstone, it was also coo lto see some ocean views as well as random open fields in the dense woods here and there. Definitely a worthy hike to try !

    I have been here to hike much shorter loops several times before but I haven't hiked the most…read morebeautiful scenic 10 -mile Manzanita and Gordon Mill loop in El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. Its a rewarding but challenging hike through towering redwoods, lush ferns, and a peaceful creek. After the last few rain storm, this trail is super wet and slippery. I highly recommend good pairs of boots and hiking poles. The Manzanita and Gordon Mills trail has a moderate elevation gain of more than 1600 feet and some serious rocky terrain. For me, it offers a great hiking challenge while I still enjoyed a mix of adventure, nature beauty, and tranquility. You can also choose a different and shorter trails to explore and experience while hiking. This preserve is very popular for hiking, bird watching, and mountain biking. So bring your binoculars to see! From All Trails: Manzanita and Gordon Mills Loop https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/manzanita-and-gordon-mills-loop This is such a perfect hiking trail to explore natural beauty where we are living near by. Peace! Enjoy!!

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    El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve
    El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve
    El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve - El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Reserve Signage

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    El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Reserve Signage

    Pomponio State Beach - beaches - Updated May 2026

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