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We came in a holiday weekend so obviously it got busier than normal. We came early before the crowds. Parking is 8 dollars. There are picnic tables on grassy areas up too for those who can't or don't want to trek down to the beach. The walk down is fairly easy and short, bring a wagon or dolly for your stuff so you can do it in one trip. It still took us 2. Lol. Walking along the shoreline we discovered so many areas to spend the day, you can just walk and walk. There are these awesome rock formations and lil caves. It is the ocean, so if you do get in being aware of undertow and other dangers is a must. My son insists on it every time. This time he tackled his Dad in to. I almost felt a little bad for my husband but later came to the conclusion he would have done it to him had the chance presented itself. The water is cold. There surfers and a ton of shore anglers. The bathrooms are up at the top next to the parking lot. They are pretty disgusting but if you gotta go... . We had a fantastic day here and it has made top beach day trip destinations for us. The only con- no dogs.
Although San Gregorio might be my favorite beach of the San Mateo coast, it had been years and years since I had been there. My wife was not amused by this declaration, informing me that she had never been to this beach in our long marriage. Our few occasions near here had seen us zipping by to somewhere else. Hey, we were here now! I quickly remembered why I love this beach. Beautiful sandstone cliffs in every direction. San Gregorio Creek terminates right here on the beach. White sand on this wide beach stretches forever in both directions, and by walking a little ways you can find a fairly private beach oasis. Hungry? If you don't want lunch on the beach, there are a number of picnic tables with an ocean view. We strolled down the beach, pulled up a piece of old driftwood, and let the calming ocean waves do their thing. For a short time all was right with the world. And now that my wife has seen this place, I'm sure we will be back before too long.
If you're taking the scenic drive from Half Moon Bay to Pescadero, you're either a tourist or perhaps having a menopausal episode as your iPod plays a familiar tune by a legendary musician who is likely boycotting Spotify now. I guess I was in the latter category when I spontaneously made the sharp right into the surprisingly large parking lot that accommodates this beach. I arrived after a few days of rainstorms and consequently there was a nip in the air. No, when I say 'nip', I'm not talking about me. I just presumed that was why the lot was almost empty. The high escarpments make for a dramatic setting anytime, but the variable was the water flowing directly from an estuary to the ocean bisecting the beach into two. I heard it's reasonable to cross during the summer, but it was basically a river when I was here in the winter. That cut off the southern part which I heard led to Pomponio Beach down the coast. I tried following the bluffs on the northern side but got halted by a fence. The sweeping cliffs were too cool to ignore, so a return in the summer is inevitable. Besides, there are restrooms and picnic tables, and you may want to make a pit stop at the San Gregorio General Store, which is a few minutes off the Hwy 84 turnoff just north of the beach. There you can get a cup of coffee, a bar of natural soap, or a decorative hat if you're in the mood (review: https://bit.ly/34mQger). RELATED - Exploring the Pacific side of the peninsula? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3aiDR9I
The coastline between Half Moon Bay and Pescadero used to be a sleepy quiet respite from other more popular area beaches. But now, following post COVID times and the surge of outdoor enthusiast, the word has gotten out. Less crowded outdoor spots are no more. San Gregorio Beach, every time I've driven by seems pretty jumping, so on beautiful but cold Super Bowl Sunday I decided to see if I could enjoy the beach with less people. My gamble paid off. Not only was the lot less than half full, the tide was low enough that the access to the beach was open. Be aware that the creek running under Highway 1 to the coast will sometimes be too high to cross and instead you'll have to just enjoy views from the nearby bluffs. I enjoyed a nice walk along the clean, soft sand. It's got dramatic views of the cliffs but unlike other Pescadero area beaches, no tide pools or rocky shorelines. A lot of folks there were flying kites, relaxing with their families in beach chairs and enjoying the clear skies in a bright winter day. I'd go back during the week or even on a rainy, less crowded today to enjoy this stretch of coast. Parking in the lot does come with a day use fee but if you're an annual CA State Parks pass holder you can use that for entrance.
Love this beach! It's not the easiest to get to from San Jose - need to take a windy road and share it with lots of bikers. I still highly recommend if you are looking for something not half moon bay. The beach is not widely spread, and there are many caves around the cliffs, so it is super fun to explore the caves. The sands are very soft, super nice on the feet. It's just a short walk from the parking lot down to the beach, so bring food, drinks, snacks, frisbees, kites, books, umbrella, beach chairs, picnic blankets, hm, maybe even climbing shoes! Rock formations here are unique. We found interesting boulders all along the cliff. The rocks are solid but has a soft layer of sands. Climbing bare foot was one of my highlights!
Winter times waves!!! Easy Breezy! This is or was a tucked away beach along Hwy1 that I've been coming to and introducing people to for over 15 years now. It's what I refer to as a real Bay Area beach...we don't sunbathe out here, we wear hoodies and take them off when the sun shines a little. The weather/coast is always cool and this beach/area is good for everything, including godly views and dope hikes. The water is cold, but you can still splash around if you can bare it. Take a shot or sip some coffee and splash splash! There are rarely many people out here if you get here early enough and I'm usually here by 8 or 9. It can look a little Alfred Hitchcock "The Birds" out here at times, but you'll be cool so long as you don't look them in the eyes. Lol Bring food/drink, a blanket, some pants that can be rolled up or taken off, "vegetables", and find peace & beauty at the beach. The landscape changes here depending on the tide and time of year. Sometimes you can hike through and across some really nice rock carvings and sometimes they are covered in sand and you'd never know there were there. Check it out if you haven't already.
PARKING in the lot is $8 to a parking attendant. Otherwise there is some parking up the road along the street and then walk to the beach. $8 isnt too bad so I opted to pay. DOGS are not allowed on the beach which sucks but they can be toward the right of the beach where it's dirt. There is a trail to the right that leads up a hill with a spectacular view of the ocean and beach. It's not a long trail at all. It's like five minutes and not too steep. BEACH has picnic tables on the dirt before you walk down to where the sand is. There is an overflow creek in the way of the beach so you have to walk along the rocks which is smooth and slippery and hugs the water so be careful. This is not a hot beach. Definitely a colder bring a jacket type beach even though I saw people in summer clothes and in the water. I don't know how they can handle it! I was freezing at 62 degrees out. Very windy. People are flying kites which is cool. I came here for a birthday celebration. They were lucky to setup in a cave type cove to the right when you get down to the beach. BATHROOMS were gross. You can smell it as you walk up to it. GENERAL I wouldn't say this is my favorite beach because it's so cold and not easy to get down to, but it's not a traffic ridden drive either way because everyone is going to Santa Cruz instead. It's an hour drive from where I live in San Jose. The drive has a lot of curves through the forest. The drive back to the bay can make someone car sick. I will say the view from the easy trail hike up the hill is nice. I'm glad I came here at least once.
Do not go here if you don't have $8 in Cash! Came here on a beautiful spring day in March, was #6 in like and 5 cars left as no body carries cash anymore!! Plus they don't allow dogs - not even leashes dogs!
I've been coming to this beach for years now and though it's gotten more busy since the start of the Pandemic a few years ago it still remains largely uncrowded. It's also a driftwood sanctuary with exceptionally strong currents so don't expect to see or do any sunbathing. It's a beach for the rugged who are looking to relax and/explore and take in the amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and cliffs. You can hike up onto the cliffs or walk along the beach as the beach is a few miles long during low tide.There is an $8 parking fee if you want to use the parking lot, otherwise many people choose to park on the sides of the road. There are no dogs allowed but you are allowed to fish. You'll often see people fishing or surfing / their wet suits on as the water is pretty cold. It's not a beach for swimmers and you should always keep and eye on the tide, current and look out for sneaker waves as I've seen so many here. All in all it's a great place to stop and take in some pretty dramataic views and scenery of this part of the California Coast.
Peaceful beach; beautiful; a lot of fishermen there fishing but I didn't see anyone catch anything. $8 parking charge! Deducted 2 stars because of the worlds most disgusting bathrooms- I have never seen bathrooms so horrendous in my entire life. Otherwise beautiful beach
Clean beach with plenty of parking for a fee depending the type of stay. It's $8.00 for day use. Seen people fishing but I spoke to several of them with no luck. Lots of coastal beach to explore but be mindful of the low tide and high tide! If you don't, you'll be stranded during high tide in some areas until low tide again!!!
The San Mateo coastline is not as famous as the others, but it still offers some great beaches. Is San Gregorio one of them? Welllllllllll . . . it depends. The big question is whether or not you can get to the beach from the parking lot. The big question mark is the lagoon. Yesterday was my first time at San Gregorio, so I don't know if it's always full or if it's sometimes nearly empty. But the trail starting to the left of the picnic area is the only way to get to the beach. And if the lagoon is full, like it was when we were there, that means getting into that cold, murky, bacteria-filled water and wading in waist-deep water a hundred feet to get to the beach. A huge disappointment for all of us! The girl said "Let's go to a real beach." Well, this is a real beach. But if you can somehow get here, it will not be crowded. Highway 1 can be seen but not heard, so if you walk north a very small ways, then it's just you and your posse and nature. If you can't or won't risk the wade, you can still have a picnic and enjoy the gorgeous view. Hundreds of birds do the same thing in the lagoon, and it's quite a sight. And then you can take the hike up the bluff and see that the beach is very, very long. Wild, unmaintained, with civilization far, far away. San Gregorio State Beach is a good place to stop for gorgeous coastal views. If you want to guarantee that you'll actually get on the beach, then keep movin'.
This beach is located right on highway 1. If you have a chance to drive the famous highway from SF to Santa Cruz you have to stop here. The views are just amazing! They office lots of parking. Great little trails to hike. Also, easy access to the beach which can be difficult when driving north of Monterey. So next time just stop enjoy the views. Oh yeah and small those pics for Instagram and Facebook!
7 months ago
This is a really cool beach I like it a lot, but please be careful if you walk the cliffs with your pets. I forgot to check for ticks before we left and when I got home, I found a large brown, what i think is a deer tick. Please keep in mind that some ticks are very small and hardly noticeable, and those tend to be the worst kind that can cause fatal paralysis in your pets. Be careful out there read more
Gorgeous beach with lots of driftwood. Very cool when you enter and see structures built by previous visitors. Or you can make your own. Lifeguards were there during the hours when it's busy with families enjoying a nice day. Bathrooms are portolets so they're gross but at least they have facilities. Bring your own toilet paper just in case they run out. Bring your own hand sanitizer as there are no hand washing stations. If you walk to the right side after the cave, it becomes a "clothing-optional" beach. I did not know this but it's all cool. That side is very quiet and chill. No driftwood. No families. Nice calm beach for a stroll. Leaving from here on a holiday weekend is atrocious! 92 will be a parking lot. You can take Hwy 1 but be prepared for a longer ride home. read more
3 years ago
This is my favorite beach in Northern California. I've been coming here throughout my life and it has remained the same stunningly beautiful place over the years. There's a medium sized parking lot and a couple of out houses, but not much more. So bring water and hand sanitizer, and plan on packing your trash and carrying it out with you. This is a very clean beach because people tend to be respectful of the minimal amenities, and considerate of the natural beauty. There is a river that forms and flows almost magically from underneath the nearby bridge and extends to the ocean. Depending on the time of year, this river will change in trajectory and flow. When my daughter was a toddler I loved to bring her here to play in the shallow waters between the bridge and the beach where she loved to collect sand dollars, crab shells, and rocks. It's safe and fun for all ages. There is a very strong undertow at this beach, so be cautious about getting into the ocean, if at all. The sand and cliffs are breathtaking and they provide a gorgeous backdrop for photos. Whether you're looking for a place to chill, a place for a scenic stroll, or a place to bring your family for a leisurely day out in nature, it's impossible to be disappointed with San Gregorio Beach. I have always left here feeling rejuvenated, decompressed, and more centered. The sound, smell, and visual qualities of this beach are indeed enchanting. read more
1 year ago
We came in a holiday weekend so obviously it got busier than normal. We came early before the crowds. Parking is 8 dollars. There are picnic tables on grassy areas up too for those who can't or don't want to trek down to the beach. The walk down is fairly easy and short, bring a wagon or dolly for your stuff so you can do it in one trip. It still took us 2. Lol. Walking along the shoreline we discovered so many areas to spend the day, you can just walk and walk. There are these awesome rock formations and lil caves. It is the ocean, so if you do get in being aware of undertow and other dangers is a must. My son insists on it every time. This time he tackled his Dad in to. I almost felt a little bad for my husband but later came to the conclusion he would have done it to him had the chance presented itself. The water is cold. There surfers and a ton of shore anglers. The bathrooms are up at the top next to the parking lot. They are pretty disgusting but if you gotta go... . We had a fantastic day here and it has made top beach day trip destinations for us. The only con- no dogs. read more
Although San Gregorio might be my favorite beach of the San Mateo coast, it had been years and years since I had been there. My wife was not amused by this declaration, informing me that she had never been to this beach in our long marriage. Our few occasions near here had seen us zipping by to somewhere else. Hey, we were here now! I quickly remembered why I love this beach. Beautiful sandstone cliffs in every direction. San Gregorio Creek terminates right here on the beach. White sand on this wide beach stretches forever in both directions, and by walking a little ways you can find a fairly private beach oasis. Hungry? If you don't want lunch on the beach, there are a number of picnic tables with an ocean view. We strolled down the beach, pulled up a piece of old driftwood, and let the calming ocean waves do their thing. For a short time all was right with the world. And now that my wife has seen this place, I'm sure we will be back before too long. read more
If you're taking the scenic drive from Half Moon Bay to Pescadero, you're either a tourist or perhaps having a menopausal episode as your iPod plays a familiar tune by a legendary musician who is likely boycotting Spotify now. I guess I was in the latter category when I spontaneously made the sharp right into the surprisingly large parking lot that accommodates this beach. I arrived after a few days of rainstorms and consequently there was a nip in the air. No, when I say 'nip', I'm not talking about me. I just presumed that was why the lot was almost empty. The high escarpments make for a dramatic setting anytime, but the variable was the water flowing directly from an estuary to the ocean bisecting the beach into two. I heard it's reasonable to cross during the summer, but it was basically a river when I was here in the winter. That cut off the southern part which I heard led to Pomponio Beach down the coast. I tried following the bluffs on the northern side but got halted by a fence. The sweeping cliffs were too cool to ignore, so a return in the summer is inevitable. Besides, there are restrooms and picnic tables, and you may want to make a pit stop at the San Gregorio General Store, which is a few minutes off the Hwy 84 turnoff just north of the beach. There you can get a cup of coffee, a bar of natural soap, or a decorative hat if you're in the mood (review: https://bit.ly/34mQger). RELATED - Exploring the Pacific side of the peninsula? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3aiDR9I read more
3 years ago
The coastline between Half Moon Bay and Pescadero used to be a sleepy quiet respite from other more popular area beaches. But now, following post COVID times and the surge of outdoor enthusiast, the word has gotten out. Less crowded outdoor spots are no more. San Gregorio Beach, every time I've driven by seems pretty jumping, so on beautiful but cold Super Bowl Sunday I decided to see if I could enjoy the beach with less people. My gamble paid off. Not only was the lot less than half full, the tide was low enough that the access to the beach was open. Be aware that the creek running under Highway 1 to the coast will sometimes be too high to cross and instead you'll have to just enjoy views from the nearby bluffs. I enjoyed a nice walk along the clean, soft sand. It's got dramatic views of the cliffs but unlike other Pescadero area beaches, no tide pools or rocky shorelines. A lot of folks there were flying kites, relaxing with their families in beach chairs and enjoying the clear skies in a bright winter day. I'd go back during the week or even on a rainy, less crowded today to enjoy this stretch of coast. Parking in the lot does come with a day use fee but if you're an annual CA State Parks pass holder you can use that for entrance. read more
Love this beach! It's not the easiest to get to from San Jose - need to take a windy road and share it with lots of bikers. I still highly recommend if you are looking for something not half moon bay. The beach is not widely spread, and there are many caves around the cliffs, so it is super fun to explore the caves. The sands are very soft, super nice on the feet. It's just a short walk from the parking lot down to the beach, so bring food, drinks, snacks, frisbees, kites, books, umbrella, beach chairs, picnic blankets, hm, maybe even climbing shoes! Rock formations here are unique. We found interesting boulders all along the cliff. The rocks are solid but has a soft layer of sands. Climbing bare foot was one of my highlights! read more
Winter times waves!!! Easy Breezy! This is or was a tucked away beach along Hwy1 that I've been coming to and introducing people to for over 15 years now. It's what I refer to as a real Bay Area beach...we don't sunbathe out here, we wear hoodies and take them off when the sun shines a little. The weather/coast is always cool and this beach/area is good for everything, including godly views and dope hikes. The water is cold, but you can still splash around if you can bare it. Take a shot or sip some coffee and splash splash! There are rarely many people out here if you get here early enough and I'm usually here by 8 or 9. It can look a little Alfred Hitchcock "The Birds" out here at times, but you'll be cool so long as you don't look them in the eyes. Lol Bring food/drink, a blanket, some pants that can be rolled up or taken off, "vegetables", and find peace & beauty at the beach. The landscape changes here depending on the tide and time of year. Sometimes you can hike through and across some really nice rock carvings and sometimes they are covered in sand and you'd never know there were there. Check it out if you haven't already. read more
6 years ago
PARKING in the lot is $8 to a parking attendant. Otherwise there is some parking up the road along the street and then walk to the beach. $8 isnt too bad so I opted to pay. DOGS are not allowed on the beach which sucks but they can be toward the right of the beach where it's dirt. There is a trail to the right that leads up a hill with a spectacular view of the ocean and beach. It's not a long trail at all. It's like five minutes and not too steep. BEACH has picnic tables on the dirt before you walk down to where the sand is. There is an overflow creek in the way of the beach so you have to walk along the rocks which is smooth and slippery and hugs the water so be careful. This is not a hot beach. Definitely a colder bring a jacket type beach even though I saw people in summer clothes and in the water. I don't know how they can handle it! I was freezing at 62 degrees out. Very windy. People are flying kites which is cool. I came here for a birthday celebration. They were lucky to setup in a cave type cove to the right when you get down to the beach. BATHROOMS were gross. You can smell it as you walk up to it. GENERAL I wouldn't say this is my favorite beach because it's so cold and not easy to get down to, but it's not a traffic ridden drive either way because everyone is going to Santa Cruz instead. It's an hour drive from where I live in San Jose. The drive has a lot of curves through the forest. The drive back to the bay can make someone car sick. I will say the view from the easy trail hike up the hill is nice. I'm glad I came here at least once. read more
3 years ago
Do not go here if you don't have $8 in Cash! Came here on a beautiful spring day in March, was #6 in like and 5 cars left as no body carries cash anymore!! Plus they don't allow dogs - not even leashes dogs! read more
5 years ago
I've been coming to this beach for years now and though it's gotten more busy since the start of the Pandemic a few years ago it still remains largely uncrowded. It's also a driftwood sanctuary with exceptionally strong currents so don't expect to see or do any sunbathing. It's a beach for the rugged who are looking to relax and/explore and take in the amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and cliffs. You can hike up onto the cliffs or walk along the beach as the beach is a few miles long during low tide.There is an $8 parking fee if you want to use the parking lot, otherwise many people choose to park on the sides of the road. There are no dogs allowed but you are allowed to fish. You'll often see people fishing or surfing / their wet suits on as the water is pretty cold. It's not a beach for swimmers and you should always keep and eye on the tide, current and look out for sneaker waves as I've seen so many here. All in all it's a great place to stop and take in some pretty dramataic views and scenery of this part of the California Coast. read more
Peaceful beach; beautiful; a lot of fishermen there fishing but I didn't see anyone catch anything. $8 parking charge! Deducted 2 stars because of the worlds most disgusting bathrooms- I have never seen bathrooms so horrendous in my entire life. Otherwise beautiful beach read more
Clean beach with plenty of parking for a fee depending the type of stay. It's $8.00 for day use. Seen people fishing but I spoke to several of them with no luck. Lots of coastal beach to explore but be mindful of the low tide and high tide! If you don't, you'll be stranded during high tide in some areas until low tide again!!! read more
The San Mateo coastline is not as famous as the others, but it still offers some great beaches. Is San Gregorio one of them? Welllllllllll . . . it depends. The big question is whether or not you can get to the beach from the parking lot. The big question mark is the lagoon. Yesterday was my first time at San Gregorio, so I don't know if it's always full or if it's sometimes nearly empty. But the trail starting to the left of the picnic area is the only way to get to the beach. And if the lagoon is full, like it was when we were there, that means getting into that cold, murky, bacteria-filled water and wading in waist-deep water a hundred feet to get to the beach. A huge disappointment for all of us! The girl said "Let's go to a real beach." Well, this is a real beach. But if you can somehow get here, it will not be crowded. Highway 1 can be seen but not heard, so if you walk north a very small ways, then it's just you and your posse and nature. If you can't or won't risk the wade, you can still have a picnic and enjoy the gorgeous view. Hundreds of birds do the same thing in the lagoon, and it's quite a sight. And then you can take the hike up the bluff and see that the beach is very, very long. Wild, unmaintained, with civilization far, far away. San Gregorio State Beach is a good place to stop for gorgeous coastal views. If you want to guarantee that you'll actually get on the beach, then keep movin'. read more
This beach is located right on highway 1. If you have a chance to drive the famous highway from SF to Santa Cruz you have to stop here. The views are just amazing! They office lots of parking. Great little trails to hike. Also, easy access to the beach which can be difficult when driving north of Monterey. So next time just stop enjoy the views. Oh yeah and small those pics for Instagram and Facebook! read more
It is $8 for a one-day parking pass that is good at all the state beaches. I have no problem chipping in some cash money to support our beaches. I definitely recommend this spot for a nice little hike that results in incredible views. Depending on the time of day, getting down to the water may require traversing a questionable body of tide water. I recommend layering up, because it can be quite chilly on a cool and breezy day. Bathrooms and a friendly ranger are nice additions. read more
12 years ago
Hubby had a new camera, so we headed to the coast to snap some pics, eat, shop in Half Moon Bay, and especially beat the heat in the inland Bay Area.. I have been to this beach many, many times. They charge $8 now, and I usually don't mind helping the parks but this seemed like a bit much, seeing as there are free beaches right down the road. Don't know why we didn't just keep driving... Great bluffs to shoot from. Enormous slime pool (must be because of the drought) had to be crossed to access beach. I was so grossed out, hubby was fascinated. I can not even look at the pictures he took...;-( I would definitely move to a free beach down the road next time. read more
3 years ago
I've been hiting this beach for years. Last time I was here I was appalled at how dirty it was. People have done a great job at trashing this place. It's sad. The beach is great. The marsh is pretty. There is a bathroom. Parking is $8. This place has a lot to explore. Because it's a direct drive from highway 84 lots of people make it a destination. Large groups meet up and bbq here. It's a very family friendly spot. There are picnic tables with bbq grills next to the parking lot. The bathrooms are a plus. read more
This beach location has bathrooms, picnic tables and parking costs $8. Walk past the bluffs and down the narrow path to the beach or walk up the bluffs to get a stellar view. The beach is pretty long. No seashells in sight, even though we were there in December and had the entire place to ourselves. Gorgeous, beautiful beach! read more
Came here on a whim trying to find a less crowded beach than Half Moon Bay or El Granada. For a sunny Sunday afternoon in June the lot was almost empty. I guess the $8 parking fee will deter some but I wasn't too picky. The ranger at the gate is good about notifying you that you'll have to swim across the lagoon to access the beach. No thanks - that water was green and murky. Still a good view to be had from the bluff right off the parking lot. The ride along Highway 1 was spectacular along this stretch to Pescadero, where your $8 fee will get you into another (and all) state beaches for the day. This beach is best for a quick stop to stretch your legs, take in the view, snap a few pics then be on your way. read more
5 years ago
Beautiful surrounding. Sand is soft and warm. A lot of parking space. You can go fishing here too. Good place to get some peace of mind. read more
6 years ago
Great parking space for $8. well maintained. Great place for family time. Vast beach. But please beware - No access to beach except by walking through knee deep water. There is no walkway to the beach. The moment you cross the picnic tables to enter the trail to the beach, you will only find a lagoon of water. Many of us including other families had to carry stuff and walk over the side hills which were rock slippery. Those with kids and elderly couldn't make it to the beach at all. Otherwise, people had to get their feet into lagoon and walk in the water to the beach. Being a state beach, this path isn't maintained. read more
7 years ago
What a beautiful beach! Must be able to walk down and up rocky hills, but not bad. Almost private beach it seemed. The restrooms were atrocious, that is the only reason this place didn't get five stars. read more
Beautiful beach sandy areas to climb, fish nursery lagoon, driftwood & kelp & crabs everywhere. The sole reason it's not 5 stars is the tiny restrooms were overwhelmed on a busy weekend (tip: bring TP & hand sanitizer or wet wipes). Picnic tables on top near parking lot. There's a $8 parking fee I don't mind paying to enjoy & maintain the beauty here. Even on A super jam packed holiday weekend- if u keep walking away from the parking lot you'll reach peaceful beach w lots of sandy space between you & other visitors. Water is very brisk, great day of relaxing. Bring some shade even if it's just umbrella & hat- there's no cover anywhere. Be aware It's not wheelchair accessible to get to beach. read more
7 years ago
Beautiful beach and amazing view on the way there! We came here for a family trip and I had brought my dogs along thinking the beach was dog friendly because that's what I saw on all the comments online but unfortunately the dogs aren't allowed on the beach they are allowed on the trail though. I also think stairs would be nice because it's a little hard getting down through the sand and rocks. read more
It was super nice out, all the other well-known beaches were going to be packed and my friend randomly chose this one for us to go to and I was down because I was craving to go to the beach. The kicker is that you have to swim across this small lake/lagoon/pond to get to the actual beach... I was really hesitant since I didn't want to get wet and just really wanted to lie on the beach and read my book. Interestingly enough, some people had built a "raft" out of driftwood and there were really nice people pushing the raft back and forth so people can get the actual beach. I was still hesitant, but we drove all this way and I really wanted to hang on the beach so we waited our turn and got floated across. Looking back, it's really funny how there is no access to the beach unless you cross the water. The beach itself was okay. The sand was coarse and there was a lot of driftwood and even some "shelters" that some people built out of it which was cool. The beach wasn't crowded which was nice and it felt too to just chill in the sun. Overall, I would not come back because I don't want to swim across, and we were lucky that there were nice enough people to build rafts that day to take us over. I had fun at the beach with my friends though. Protip: Park across the street on the side of the street to save yourself $8 at the parking lot. Just be careful of the on coming traffic! read more
Ode to Patrick M, now in Nihon. Sniff sniff. One of my fave gems and away from the crowded mess at Poplar Beach. Just drive another ten miles or so and pow, San Gregorio popped out at me. Clean restroom facilities, picnic benches and several regions to the beach: 1. Secluded sandy area where you can exercise your brawn and brains and build that toy fort with washed up pieces of wood and stumps. 2. The water's edge. 3. Another area to lay out/picnic/keep an eye on those children as they run out to the water, tempting the rip tides. I usually find a secluded spot against the temporary wooden structures and tempt another cancerous fate wearing a tank top. On this most recent visit, I climbed the ridge to the right of the beach access and was awarded an amazing strip of undisclosed beachfront. No dogs allowed on this beach either. Boo! read more
16 years ago
It's always been gorgeous along here, maybe I've had good luck with the weather. Parking of $8 is steep, though it didn't seem like anyone was checking on Christmas day. 4 outhouses near the front gate, grassy area with picnic tables and grills nearby for easy access. Spacious parking lot. Just a short walk to the sand on the left, and opens to beach stretching both directions. Upwards toward the right, you can get a great view of the coastal line at the top of the cliffs and a nice path that winds along the top coast. Fairly crowded and popular because it's right where the 1 and 84 meet. read more
8 years ago
Why spend money on paving the big parking lot when there is not stairs to get down to the beach???? What's the point??? Very disappointed read more
13 years ago
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More info about San Gregorio State Beach
La Honda Rd & Cabrillo Hwy
San Gregorio, CA 94074
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Ask the Community - San Gregorio State Beach
Do they have grills over there?
Yes, the picnic tables and grills are first come first serve
Is there easy access to beach or do you still have walk through the lagoon?
Right now you can just go through lagoon is drying up
Can you access the beach still? Or is the river still too wide to cross?
Now you can
Review Highlights - San Gregorio State Beach
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2 reviews that are not currently recommended
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8 years ago
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