'Moving from South Orange County to Vacaville, where dog parks & beaches in the local area are rather sparse, my search for go-to spots to take the HAPA Boy begins. (Plus - The Trixie, the newest canine addition to our "Pack.")
First stop on my search: Redondo Beach (Halfmoon Bay)
Thanks to Google Maps, finding the beach was less painful than anticipated... 'And what a beautiful view!
Photo - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/redondo-beach-half-moon-bay?select=k1gBcMnb5AxevNe4MoYRgw#k1gBcMnb5AxevNe4MoYRgw
'Great, relatively secluded beach! If you want to get away from the crowds, noise & just want a place to relax, Redondo Beach is a good contender. The beach itself was relatively clean, lots of open space, and beachfront for the dogs & you to explore. HAPA had a great time, running, digging holes, and just plain ol' being himself. It was Trixie's first time to the beach... 'And she was a bit less than enthusiastic. (Trixie wanted nothing to do with the water.) However, by the end of our visit, Trixie was a bit more relaxed walking at the water's edge and was doing a bit of exploring of her own.
EL & Trixie Girl - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/redondo-beach-half-moon-bay?select=k1gBcMnb5AxevNe4MoYRgw#dM5JWZGjv2XmrLbgN3jCig
HAPA & Trixie played with a few dogs as people walked up & down the coast. One particular gentleman had a good-sized pack of five ankle biters.... 'Fun stuff! The dogs & their owners that we met were all pretty friendly, no bad behavior to report from either. (Well, there was this one time when there was just way too much butt-sniffing going on so I told the owner, "Do you mind?!... I already had my colon examined, thank you." Plus, I'm already seeing someone...)
Photo - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/redondo-beach-half-moon-bay?select=k1gBcMnb5AxevNe4MoYRgw#tI2lTNuuRHe3tGStjx8Dqw
HAPA & Trixie exploring the tide pools...
Photo - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/redondo-beach-half-moon-bay?select=k1gBcMnb5AxevNe4MoYRgw#xv9kPRXupSjY_mhWJF5nvg
'Just south of Redondo Beach is the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. There's also a very cool looking structure as well. (It looks like the backdrop for the film, "Gladiator," if it was shot on a sandy beach.) Near the end of our visit, we started walking in that direction, wanting to get a closer look... 'And about 1/2 way down, "Forget it, I'm tired, " and we headed back to the car. However, I managed to take a picture of it despite how exhausted I was. Whew!
Photo - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/redondo-beach-half-moon-bay?select=k1gBcMnb5AxevNe4MoYRgw#o7JqR6_oJncQT77ebTRlSQ
As other have commented, the paths down to the beach can be a bit challenging. There's a direct path near the dirt parking lot but it's best it's recommended that you have both hands free to help maneuver the steep & rocky incline. If you walk south for a bit, there's a slightly less challenging path but still a bit harrowing... 'Especially if you've got a leash in on hand w/a very excited dog @ the end of it and a fully loaded backpack. 'Just be careful. (*DO NOT wear slippahs/"flip flops" until you get to the sand.)
HAPA digging this beach...
Photo - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/redondo-beach-half-moon-bay?select=Ff9mH_7gdMDW3qYxFm9igQ#lei9qQUg1bYWoYfGXzTwsA
The only thing that I could say that could use quite a bit of improvement, the parking area in relation to the beach... 'And a better/safer way to get to it. However, that may be just the reason that this particular beach is so secluded & not overran with people. (Never mind what I said about the paths, everything's just fine the way it is!) Another yelp*er wrote that a third option is to, "Start at Poplar Beach and trek a mile south."
A pop-up tent would be great to have here... 'Add a bit of shade for some sun protection, I'd never leave! (The challenge would be getting all that gear down to the sand...)
Note of advice:
1. Wear tennis shoes to navigate the steep comb down to the beach
2. Pack a light jacket, it can get chilly.
3. Be careful where you walk. (Clouds of gnats; horse sh*t; dog sh*t)
4. Bring sunblock; fresh water; doggy poop bags
4. Have FUN!
'After we packed up the dogs & loaded up the car, we headed to Sam's Chowder House just a bit down the road... 'A great accidental find to end a day-trip! We were actually headed someplace else but as we drove by Sam's, the other place seemed too much like "work." (Sound of brakes screeching) "We're eating here!"
Sam's Chowder House - http://www.yelp.com/biz/sams-chowder-house-half-moon-bay
We were stuffed... 'But there's always room for dessert.
'And we stopped for ice cream... 'Not just any ol' ice cream, but THRIFTY'S ICE CREAM! (I didn't realize that Thrifty's Ice Cream was still around even after the chain's name disappeared.) 'Awesome!... Double Malt Crunch, pleas!!
Rite Aid (w/Thrifty Ice Cream) - http://www.yelp.com/biz/rite-aid-half-moon-bay-2
- Big Aloha!
Food: n/a
Ambiance: 4 (Horse sh*t; dog sh*t)
Service: 4 (Perilous paths; use caution)
Value: 5+ read more