Our Mission

San Mateo Coast

The mission of California State Parks is
to provide for the health, inspiration and
education of the people of California by helping
San Mateo Coast’s
to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological state beaches are dotted
State Beaches diversity, protecting its most valued natural and
cultural resources, and creating opportunities along 40 miles of steep
for high-quality outdoor recreation.
bluffs, sandy beaches,
and scenic wonders.
Stroll the shoreline,
California State Parks supports equal access. have a picnic, gaze into
Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who
need assistance should contact the park office at the tide pools, and
(650) 726-8819. If you need this publication in an
alternate format, contact [email protected]. thrill at the roaring surf.
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
For information call: (800) 777-0369
(916) 653-6995, outside the U.S.
711, TTY relay service

www.parks.ca.gov

San Mateo Coast State Beaches

Highway 1, Pacifica to Pescadero, CA
Parks Sector Office: 95 Kelly Avenue
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 (650) 726-8819

On the cover: Pomponio State Beach

© 2016 California State Parks
San Gregorio State Beach
T he San Mateo coast encompasses a treasure trove of exquisite landscapes on the 40-mile stretch from Pacifica to the northern boundary of
Santa Cruz County. The wild backcountry and deep canyons of the Santa Cruz Mountains help protect the coast and preserve its natural beauty for
millions of visitors each year. The coastline’s rich mosaic includes prehistoric fossils, a 19th-century lighthouse, historic ranch structures, and other
features reflecting human uses of both terrestrial and marine environments, as well as stunning natural views.

AREA HISTORy Montara area, the Cotegen of Half Moon food from many Native Americans in villages
Native Americans first settled along the Bay, the Oljon of San Gregorio, and the along the way.
California coast during the end of the Great Quiroste of the Pescadero, Butano, and Año When hunters from the expedition climbed
Ice Age, about 14,000 years ago. Over the Nuevo regions. Together, these and some Sweeney Ridge above present-day Pacifica,
millennia, they managed the productivity of 45 additional tribes located throughout the they became the first Spaniards to see San
the plants and animals that they harvested larger San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas Francisco Bay. Campsites used by Portolá’s
for food and material by systematically have come to be called the Ohlone people. explorers at Pacifica, Bean Hollow, and San
burning selected areas, pruning plants, and Today, Ohlone still honor and practice Gregorio are now state historic landmarks.
hand-tending bulb and root gardens. By ancient cultural traditions. Several Spanish missions had cattle
doing so, they improved the browsing and Soldier and explorer Juan Rodriguez ranches in the 1780s; later, wheat, corn, and
foraging vegetation that was important to the Cabrillo sailed his ship north along the beans were planted as income crops.
deer, elk, antelope, bear, rabbit, and other coastline in 1542. The names that he and After the Mexican revolution and
species that the indigenous people hunted later Spanish maritime explorers gave to independence in 1822, the new Mexican
and trapped. points along the coast are still in use today. government granted large coastal properties
Before the arrival of Europeans, several The first Spanish overland expedition to to just a few citizens. These included Rancho
individual tribes controlled territories explore Upper California took place in 1769 Butano, Rancho San Gregorio, and Rancho
throughout the San Mateo coast and adjacent under the command of Gaspar de Portolá. Coral de Tierra, among others.
mountains — including the Chiguan of today’s Portolá expedition members reported that With the advent of the California gold rush
as they traveled north along the San Mateo and subsequent statehood in 1850, droves of
coast from Baja California, they were given settlers flocked here. Row crop farms gained
momentum when Portuguese and Italian
vegetable farmers arrived in the 1870s. Today,

Half Moon Bay State Beach

 Photo courtesy Tammy Lin
many crops are still grown Low dunes host rocky beaches also attract whimbrels,
in the area, including cut a coastal strand sanderlings, marbled godwits, willets, black
flowers, artichokes, and community, including oystercatchers, and various gulls hunting for
brussels sprouts. beach bur, yellow sand intertidal invertebrates.
During the 19th and verbena, prostrate Geology
early 20th centuries, coyote brush, yarrow, The Seal Cove-San Gregorio fault—a major
the great redwood and non-native iceplant. branch of the San Andreas fault—is the
forests of San Mateo San Francisco garter snake Significant species dominant geologic feature in this area. A
County were extensively diversity can be found; 100,000-year-old broad marine terrace east
logged. Resort hotels flourished, and on many of these parks support sensitive, of the fault warped downward over time
the coastside, tourists reported that both threatened, or endangered species, between Montara and Miramontes Point,
salmon fishing and upland game hunting including the San Francisco garter snake and giving rise to the crescent shape of Half
were outstanding. California red-legged frog. Moon Bay.
NATuRAL HISTORy Birds nest in the coastal scrub along these Rocks as old as 70 to 150 million years,
Flora and Fauna beaches, with wrentits and song sparrows exposed in the sea cliffs at Gray Whale Cove,
The main coastal attractions are the among them. Residents include mallards, once formed the southern extension of the
sandy beaches at the base of moderately black phoebes, American coots, warblers, Sierra Nevada. Over the past 30 million years,
high bluffs. Native plant communities and hawks. Migrating cinnamon teal and these rocks have been moved northward
include riparian, coastal dunes, coastal buffleheads pause on their travels. about 350 miles along the San Andreas fault.
bluff scrub, coastal prairie, and both The riparian/marsh habitat is home to In the sea cliffs between Seal Cove
freshwater and saltwater marsh. Non-native raccoons, opossums, shrews, western pond and Pescadero, marine sandstones from
vegetation includes eucalyptus groves and turtles, and Pacific tree frogs. the Purisima Formation (1½ to 5 million
grassland. Willows and alders line most of Broad-handed moles, badgers, and years old) are exposed, while in the cliffs
the coastal creeks. coyotes are found in the area. Sandy and between Pescadero and Pigeon Point,
pebbly sandstones and mudstones from the
70-million-year-old Pigeon Point Formation
are visible. Tafoni, small honeycomb-like
pits, and the well-rounded pebbles on
Pebble Beach are the result of weathering.
The seacliffs are eroding due to surf action
and can collapse.

Use caution on cliff edges. Many of these

beaches can be completely flooded during
high tides, trapping unwary visitors.

Gray Whale Cove State Beach

THE BEACHES

Photo courtesy Avis Boutell

Pacifica State Beach
Linda Mar Beach’s wide, day-use-only
crescent is operated by the City of Pacifica.
Parking fees apply, and California State Parks
passes are not accepted.
Gray Whale Cove State Beach
The 800-foot beach (adjacent to Devil’s
Slide) is reached via a steep stairway.
Gray whales migrate along the coast from
December to January and March to May.
Montara State Beach / McNee Ranch
Montara State Beach is a popular spot for
sunbathing, strolling, nature study, and
picnicking. Two beach access points from the
Burleigh H. Murray Ranch bank barn
bluff area lead to the beach.
Inland, the 690-acre McNee Ranch (on Half Moon Bay State Beach Burleigh H. Murray Ranch
Montara Mountain) encompasses coastal Miles of fine sand include narrow beaches A 1.4-mile trail starts at the park entrance
mountain habitat with sweeping coastal with clear, compelling views. From north off Higgins-Purisima Road and extends
vistas. The ranch’s two-mile Pedro Mountain to south, the Roosevelt, Dunes, Venice, east across bridged streams to the Mills
Trail connects to trails leading to Montara and Francis Beaches lure visitors. A paved Barn, listed in the National Register of
Beach and Gray Whale Cove. recreational trail retraces the route of the Historic Places.
Dogs are allowed on Montara Beach and historic Ocean Shore Railroad. This dairy barn, called a “bank
McNee Ranch only when leashed. Parking lots are near the beaches. barn” since it is built into a hillside,
Francis Beach has day-use picnic tables, is California’s only known example of
barbecues, showers, and family tent or RV an English-style bank barn. No fires or
campsites. Sweetwood Group Camp holds smoking are allowed in this park. Bring
up to 50 people in a tents-only site. your own drinking water. Horses may use
An equestrian trail extends between the gravel road.
Venice Beach and Francis Beach. Horses Cowell Ranch
Photo courtesy Merrill Gosho, NOAA

can be rented from a private stable A half-mile walk into the park takes hikers
off Highway 1. Horses are restricted to past farmland to a spot overlooking the
the designated horse trail; they are not sea, and then to a sandy beach with rocky
permitted on state beaches. outcrops, high cliffs, and harbor seal
For camping reservations, call viewing opportunities.
(800) 444-7275 or visit www.parks.ca.gov.
Gray whale
 Pescadero State Beach / Colorful stones from an offshore gravel
Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve bed dating from the Pleistocene era wash
Seventeen miles south of Half Moon in to Pebble Beach: jade, chert, agate,
Bay, Pescadero State Beach has two jasper, and moonstone may be found
miles of beach, dunes, and rugged among them. Collecting is not permitted.
outcrops. From the blufftop parking For more information about all of
lot north of the Pescadero Road / these state beaches and parks, visit
Highway 1 intersection, stunning views www.parks.ca.gov or call the San Mateo
await visitors. Coast Sector Office at (650) 726-8819.
The 500-acre Pescadero EVENTS, WEddINGS, PHOTOGRAPHy
Marsh Natural Preserve hosts Permits must be obtained prior to all
resident bird species and beach events and weddings. For permit
protects a vital stopping information, call the San Mateo Coast
point for migratory species Sector Office at (650) 726-8815.
Bean Hollow State Beach along the Pacific Flyway.
Right: Starburst anemone Photography for profit on state
Bean Hollow State Beach / property requires advance permission.
In 1987 the property was Pebble Beach For commercial still and video film-
saved from development by the These day-use beaches have a permit information, visit the State’s Film
Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), self-guided nature trail. Dogs on leash are Commission website at
which maintains an adjoining 3.6 miles of allowed here. Do not disturb the tide pool http: // film.ca.gov / Permits.htm.
hike / bike trails to the south. creatures — anemones, crabs, sea urchins,
and other marine inhabitants.
San Gregorio State Beach
Site of the Portolá Expedition campsite
in October 1769 — now a state historical
landmark — San Gregorio State Beach’s mile-
long, narrow beach sits at the mouth of San
Gregorio Creek.
Pomponio State Beach
Pomponio State Beach, named for a Native
California Indian who rebelled against the
missions, has high sandstone bluffs — some
as high as 190 feet.
Day-use amenities at Pomponio and San
Gregorio Beaches include barbecues, picnic Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve
tables, and vault toilets.
 western snowy plovers

This small shorebird nests on open, sandy beaches. Plovers rely on stealth
and their sand-blended coloring to escape detection from people and
predators. If parents sense any threat, they may run or take flight — wasting
precious energy reserves and leaving eggs and chicks exposed to predators
and the elements. To help these threatened birds survive, avoid posted
sensitive areas.

Marine Protected Areas

Offshore, the Montara State Marine PLEASE REMEMBER
Reserve and the Pillar Point State Marine • The surf is very hazardous due to large These parks receive support in
Conservation Area extend south from sneaker waves, recurring rip currents, part through three nonprofit
Montara. Marine protected areas help and bitterly cold water. Never turn your cooperating associations:
conserve ocean wildlife and ecosystems. back on the ocean. Coastside State Parks Association
For boundaries and more information, see • use extreme caution: lifeguards patrol www.coastsidestateparks.org
https: // www.wildlife.ca.gov / Conservation / the length of the coast, but they are not
Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
Marine / MPAs. stationed at each beach. www.thatsmypark.org
• All natural and cultural features are
ACCESSIBLE FEATuRES protected by law and may not be The Waddell Creek Association
Half Moon Bay SB—Camping: Francis Beach disturbed or removed. www.ranchodeloso.org
Campground has accessible campsites • Except for trained service animals, dogs
and restrooms. A beach wheelchair may be are not permitted on most state beaches.
checked out. Sweetwood Group Camp has
accessible parking and a vault toilet.
Accessibility in state parks is continually
improving. For updates, visit the website at
http://access.parks.ca.gov.
 380
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