Love, love, love this beach!!! The walk from the parking lot 2 the water isn't 2 far. The beach is clean & there's picnic tables by the parking lot as well as bbqs. I live over 2 hrs away, but I don't care. When I want a beach day, this is where I wanna gooooo!!! And today, there was plenty of sun 2 enjoy!!! read more

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accessible since it is not too steep but ground is uneven. As of March 2026 there are so many tree branches and trunks all over the sand, just an FYI. The sand area is huge so there's plenty of space for people to set up their space. There is also a beautiful shallow river connecting to the ocean which is perfect for the kiddos. Beautiful beach with many beautiful finds! There are bathrooms on site but they are DISGUSTING, so come prepared. read more

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We did a family beach day here and actually enjoyed it. Parking costs $7 so be prepared to pay the attendant or out the money in the box ( I'm not sure how the box system works ) We set up or food at the top picnic table and set up tents, chairs and toys just below so the kids could play and we would run to the water every now and then. The beach is very quiet, clean and has a small parking lot. It is right off the highway so be aware when leaving to pull back into traffic. Don't rush it My only gripe is the bathroom situation! I'm not sure there is much that can be done being the location is a beach but make sure you are prepared with tons of sanitizing stuff. It's a outhouse/portable I'm not sure what time make of it read more

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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 read more

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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. read more

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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? read more

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

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! read more

Pomponio State Beach - Ocean view - Beaches Near Me - San Gregorio, California

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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 ;) read more

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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! read more

Pomponio State Beach - New Year's Day sunset - Beaches Near Me - San Gregorio, California

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It's quiet and private and was great for gathering with friends. We had a beach day and sat and ate and some got in the water which was too cold for me. read more

The grill is nicely placed away from the main beach and right at the parking area so you don't need to carry everything from the car. The beach itself is quiet and very calm. Very nice place, a nice little get away! read more

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. read more

Pomponio State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Gregorio, California

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. read more

Pomponio State Beach - Found a perfect and pure sand dollar! God is good! - Beaches Near Me - San Gregorio, California

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

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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 read more

Pomponio State Beach - Pomponio State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Gregorio, California

Great beach for a group get together. There are picnick tables on the bluffs right next to the parking lot, and the bluffs are only about six feet about the sand of the beach. This works out great as it is easy to get stuff from cars to the table AND easy to get from the tables to the sand. At the same time, the bluff is just high enough to keep an eye on kids while they are playing in the sand from the tables. If you walk down the beach to the left (south) there are some cool caves. Be warned that the parking lot is small, so it is good to get there relatively early, but this also means the beach never gets too crowded. read more

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! read more

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The beach is: Cool Includes caves Pay for parking Safe to exit on the highway1 Restroom I am a ranger at this park read more

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

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. read more

Pomponio State Beach - Where else do you find a beach THIS peaceful on Memorial Day?! - Beaches Near Me - San Gregorio, California

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. read more

Pomponio State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Gregorio, California

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The bf and I played hooky on Tuesday when the weather was scorching and I wanted to go to the beach! Since we live in Pacifica, I suggested we get on Hwy 1 and commanded the bf to just DRIVE...hence we ended up here. It's about 10 miles past half moon bay and a cool, relaxing drive along the coast. We had our nifty beach chairs WITH built in canopies ( gotta love Costco!) We set up our chairs and proceeded to CHILL! What a fun way to spend a Tues afternoon!! They have tables and bbq pits also if you're inclined.. read more

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Very beautiful beach. Fun to find shells and driftwood. This little beach cave was a hidden gem. $8 parking. read more

Pomponio State Beach - Beaches Near Me - San Gregorio, California

Stopped by here during a leisurely drive down the coast one weekday. It was a perfectly clear day which is a rarity for the area. It wasn't crowded and we were able to easily get parked and take a short stroll down the beach. read more

Pomponio State Beach - Nice day - Beaches Near Me - San Gregorio, California

Are you kidding me? What? Get in the water, and swim? Most sane people would say NO. Enter me. No wetsuit, no worries, no problem, but a whole heck of fun. Pomponio is sandwiched between San Gregorio and Scott's Creek. Guess which of the 2 don't require parking fees? Hint: Pomponio is one of them. Pros: family oriented bathrooms available no parking fee quick access to the water and on a good day some awesome surf. BBQ pits and some seating Cons: family oriented birds stinky lagoon, although you may consider that a con. If you are so inclined, you can walk for miles and miles either north and south, and discover more and more beach. Just watch out for the cliffs! read more

Continuing this rollin' rollin' rollin' down the Cabrillo HWY. So here I am, sitting in a local cafe reminiscing about my sunny drive from a few days ago while the rain patters away at the glass in front of me. I yearn for such days of sunny and warm bliss. Again, another gem along the famous Cabrillo HWY. Pull over, park and go for a stroll along the beach. Sit in the warm sand and nestle your toes. Reflect. Ponder. And imagine. Restroom facilities and a clean stop. I'd still carry that little antibacterial wipes, however. Back into my car for the next stop. read more

We came to Pomponio beach over the labor day weekend and the weather could not have been any better. When we decided to come to Half Moon Bay on this holiday I was expecting a horrible drive (via 92) and just hoards of people and terrible traffic. The drive over wasn't too bad and Pomponio beach is about 12 miles south of 92 so it wasn't as crowded as San Gregorio or the other beaches. Yes, the parking lot was almost full but we had enough space between everyone to feel that we were on top of each other. The beach it self is pretty clean however there are some debris from bon fires. The water was pretty cold but once your feet get used to it, its not that bad. Our 3 year old twins LOVED playing in the sand and in the waves (with supervision of course). There was a lifeguard on duty walking down the beach talking to everyone reminding to hold the hands of the little ones because the waves can definitely sweep them into the ocean. Be sure to bring some umbrellas or some form of tent because there is no shade here. Also be sure to pack water, beverages, and snacks as there are not stores near by. The bathroom int he parking could use more frequent cleaning but Im sure it was just abnormally busy yesterday. Also, the drive to this beach on HWY 1 is beautiful! read more

Gorgeous Beach! I'm so happy that my friend found this place. If you're looking for a beach that isn't too busy and is adorned with cute sand dollars, this is your beach. Rundown: 1. The drive to this beach from Fremont is pretty windy but its also very beautiful. You'll drive past a huge redwood forest and through cute towns. 2. When my friends and I finally got to the beach, we realized that the parking lot was full so we parked up the hill from the beach. 3. If you park in the parking lot there is a fee 4. There is a bathroom at the beach! Big plus in my opinion... just hold your breath when you go. 5. The beach is between two cliff sides and is absolutely gorgeous. 6. We didn't see too much trash but there was some interesting debris including a bird's wing, dead crab shells, and jellyfish. 7. There aren't too many sea shells on this beach but there are a lot of sand dollars. I found my first whole sand dollar here! If you ever get the chance, definitely check this beach out for yourself. read more

If I am reincarnated into a seagull in a future life, Pompino State Beach is where I'd reside. Birds reign supreme at Pompino State Beach, so consider yourself warned! Beyond the aggressive seagulls, it's a pretty nice beach off of Hwy 1. Easy access, there's no Ranger there to collect the fee to park, not a lot of trash left behind and, assuming you steer clear of the bird poop, nice for laying out or taking a nap. Just be careful if you bring a picnic lunch with you... you might have some new friends! Side note: do not swim or wade in the "lagoon" - so gross! I see kids in there all the time and think how sick they're going to be for swimming in stagnant water full of feces. Sure, it's warmer than the ocean. But join a gym with a pool or hot tub. Much safer! read more

This beach is beautiful! It's located in Halfmoon Bay, about five miles from intersection of highway 84 and highway 1. Pomponio state beach is not as hilly as the other beaches in Halfmoon bay, so its easier to get around . There are picnic tables and bbq pits along the parking lot. Also, there's an accessible bathroom. The entrance fee is $8.00. The park ranger comes over to collect the fee or you can pay it at Gregorio Beach that has an assigned park ranger. To sum it up, Pomponio beach is beautiful, clean, and family friendly. read more

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Nice to visit for 10-15 minutes on your way to pigeon point. This is the place to go to see Mole Crabs (aka Sand Fiddler or Sand Crab) . they kinda look like armadillos and will dig themselves into the sand. You'll find a lot of their empty shells laying around the beach. a couple of nice shots to take pics, but it's a bit cold and windy for most ppl. waves are strong. as a side note, like a lot of beaches along HWY 1, there's a large amount of standing sea water about 50ft from the coast. It stinks. read more

I was married on this beach almost one year ago and it will forever hold a very special place in my heart. Dark and stormy or bright & sunny this beach is GORGEOUS. Perfect for a run or to sit and relax. My suggestion: go to Duarte's Tavern before grab some Artichoke soup and sip it on Pomponio beach while watching the waves. read more

Pomponio State Beach - Beautiful Place to get married - Beaches Near Me - San Gregorio, California

Very nice, clean beach, easy accesible, clean restrooms, too. Just be aware of the marine layer and bring a jacket, blanket if you decide to watch a beautiful sunset (that's if it's not covered by the layer) and stay beyond that.... :) Thanx Rox for introducing me to this beautiful site of nature :) read more

I think this is one of the best beaches within two hours of SF. There was enough parking on a Sunday ($8), and it wasn't overly crowded. A ten minute walk from the parking area provides enough solitude to clear your head. read more

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Just down the way from San Gregorio State Beach....this is a nice beach that has a lagoon area. Easy access from the parking lot to the beach. On 4th of July this year, the weather was sooo nice. Bring a jacket just in case. read more

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Had a really nice time here with the family this weekend. We started at San Gregorio beach, but when we couldn't get to the real beach due to the lagoon, we just made our way to Pomponio which we had visited before. Still a beautiful beach. They even had a couple of lifeguards on duty which was good to see and fairly unusual. Perhaps it was due to the holiday weekend. Pomponio is a pleasant, clean, huge beach with beautiful views of the waters and surrounding cliffs. The waves can get a bit heavy duty, so if you have young kids, just be prepared to go into the water with them for when the occasional wave knocks them around. It's all good fun as long as you remain alert and attentive and don't underestimate the current... read more

The cave that's right on the beach was Amazing to see and go inside of. Looks like where Bigfoot would live . Im going to defintely do some amateur movie shooting here. Beach itself very spacious and I love that there's a little lagoon type pool for my 4 year old to play in. read more

As I drove down the coast yesterday it was a picture perfect fall day in California. The sun was bright, the sky was clear and it was warm. I hadn't planned the day at all. I just drove because it was such a nice day. My daughter enjoyed the view from the back seat and, on a whim, I pulled into this beach. It was the perfect spot!! A beautiful long stretch of beach, clean with lots of room for everyone. We were there late in the afternoon so most everyone had gone. There were just a few people scattered here and there. I love that the access to the beach is not some steep path......it's easily accessible by a small path and not a steep one. There are picnic tables and some nice rocks to climb on. It is truely one of the most beautiful beaches on the coast. read more

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