How to Hike Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail from San Francisco

The Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail offers one of the most breathtaking and accessible coastal hiking experiences on the California coast, blending rugged cliffs, tidal pools, wildflower-strewn bluffs, and panoramic ocean vistas—all within a short drive from San Francisco. For outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and weekend explorers alike, this trail is more than just a walk along the shore; it’s a journey through California’s natural heritage, where the Pacific’s raw beauty meets the quiet serenity of coastal ecosystems. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a first-time trail visitor, understanding how to navigate this route from San Francisco ensures a safe, rewarding, and unforgettable experience. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to planning, preparing for, and enjoying the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail, complete with expert tips, essential tools, real-world examples, and answers to the most common questions.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Plan Your Route and Choose Your Starting Point

The Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail isn’t a single, continuous path but a network of interconnected segments along the coast. The most popular and accessible starting point for hikers coming from San Francisco is Miramar Beach, located just south of the town of Half Moon Bay. This section offers gentle slopes, well-maintained paths, and easy access to parking and restrooms.

Alternatively, you can begin at Pillar Point Harbor near the famous Mavericks surf break, or at Coastal Trailhead near Princeton-by-the-Sea, which provides more secluded stretches and dramatic cliffside views. For beginners, Miramar Beach is ideal. For experienced hikers seeking solitude and longer distances, the Princeton-by-the-Sea trailhead offers a more immersive experience.

To reach Miramar Beach from San Francisco, take US-101 South to the Half Moon Bay exit (Exit 329). From there, follow signs for Highway 1 South toward Half Moon Bay. Continue for approximately 1.5 miles, then turn right onto Miramar Avenue. Follow it to the Miramar Beach parking lot, which has designated spaces for hikers and is free for day use.

2. Check the Weather and Tides

Coastal weather is notoriously unpredictable. Even in summer, fog can roll in rapidly, reducing visibility and lowering temperatures by 15–20°F. Always check the forecast for Half Moon Bay specifically—conditions can differ drastically from San Francisco. Use reliable sources like the National Weather Service or Windy.com for real-time updates.

Tides are equally critical. Low tide exposes expansive tidal pools teeming with marine life, making it the optimal time for exploration. High tide can flood portions of the trail, particularly near the cliffs and rocky outcrops. Consult a tide chart for Half Moon Bay (available on NOAA’s website or the Tide Chart app) and aim to start your hike 1–2 hours before low tide. Avoid hiking during high tide if you plan to explore the lower tide pools or rocky sections.

3. Pack Essential Gear

Even on a short hike, preparation is non-negotiable. Here’s what you need:

• Sturdy footwear: Trail shoes or hiking boots with grip are essential. Sandals and sneakers are not recommended due to uneven terrain, slippery rocks, and loose gravel.
• Layered clothing: Wear moisture-wicking base layers, a fleece or insulated jacket, and a windproof outer shell. Coastal winds are constant and can be biting, even on sunny days.
• Hydration and snacks: Carry at least 2 liters of water per person. Pack high-energy snacks like trail mix, energy bars, or fruit. There are no vendors along the trail.
• Sun protection: UV exposure is intense due to reflection off the water and lack of shade. Use broad-spectrum SPF 50+, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.
• First aid kit: Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, blister treatment, and any personal medications.
• Map and compass or GPS: While the trail is well-marked, cell service is unreliable. Download offline maps using AllTrails or Gaia GPS before departure.
• Camera or smartphone: The views are exceptional. Bring a tripod if you plan to shoot sunrise or sunset.

4. Begin Your Hike: Miramar Beach to Princeton-by-the-Sea

From the Miramar Beach parking lot, follow the paved path that leads toward the ocean. Within 50 yards, you’ll reach the official Coastal Trail marker. The trail here is wide, sandy, and gently sloping, making it ideal for families and casual walkers.

As you proceed south, the path transitions from sand to packed earth and boardwalks. Watch for interpretive signs that explain local flora like beach strawberry, sea thrift, and native dune grasses. Keep an eye out for shorebirds—sandpipers, plovers, and occasionally the endangered Western Snowy Plover—nesting in the dunes during spring and summer.

At approximately 1.2 miles, you’ll pass the entrance to El Camino Real Trail, a parallel path used by cyclists. Stay on the Coastal Trail, which continues to hug the cliff edge. Around the 2-mile mark, you’ll reach San Mateo Point, where the trail dips slightly and offers a stunning viewpoint overlooking the rocky coastline and the distant Pillar Point Breakwater.

From here, the trail becomes more rugged. Steep staircases and narrow ledges require attention. Use handrails where provided and avoid venturing off-trail—cliffs are unstable and erosion is ongoing. At 3.5 miles, you’ll arrive at the small community of Princeton-by-the-Sea. This is an ideal turnaround point for a 7-mile round-trip hike. For those continuing, the trail extends another 2 miles to Gray Whale Cove State Beach, but this segment is less maintained and requires more advanced navigation.

5. Return Journey and Post-Hike Care

When returning, retrace your steps. The descent from the cliffs is more strenuous than the ascent, so pace yourself. Use trekking poles if you have them—they reduce knee strain significantly.

Once back at your vehicle, rinse your boots and gear to remove salt and sand. Hydrate fully and consider a light snack rich in protein and electrolytes. If you’ve been hiking for more than 3 hours, take a short rest before driving. Fatigue and exposure can impair reaction times.

6. Alternative Routes and Extensions

If you’re seeking a longer or more challenging experience, consider these extensions:

• Half Moon Bay to Pigeon Point Lighthouse: Add 5 miles round-trip. The trail climbs higher, offering panoramic views of the lighthouse and the open ocean. Requires a permit for parking at the lighthouse lot.
• Coastal Trail Loop via San Mateo Creek: Combine the Coastal Trail with the San Mateo Creek Trail to create a 10-mile loop. This route includes forested sections and is less crowded. Best for experienced hikers.
• Gray Whale Cove to Mussel Rock: A 6-mile one-way hike with dramatic sea stacks and tide pools. Requires a shuttle or two vehicles.

Best Practices

1. Respect Wildlife and Ecosystems

The Half Moon Bay coastline is home to sensitive species, including the Western Snowy Plover, a federally threatened shorebird that nests on open sand during spring and summer. Stay on designated trails, keep dogs leashed (where permitted), and never approach nesting areas. Disturbing wildlife can lead to nest abandonment and population decline.

Do not collect shells, rocks, or marine life from tide pools. These organisms are vital to the intertidal ecosystem. Observe, photograph, and leave undisturbed.

2. Leave No Trace Principles

Follow the seven Leave No Trace principles rigorously:

1. Plan ahead and prepare.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
3. Dispose of waste properly—pack out all trash, including food scraps and toilet paper.
4. Leave what you find.
5. Minimize campfire impact—fires are prohibited on the trail.
6. Respect wildlife.
7. Be considerate of other visitors.

Use portable restrooms or designated facilities. If you must relieve yourself off-trail, dig a cathole 6–8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water sources and trails.

3. Timing and Crowds

Weekends, especially in spring and fall, bring heavy foot traffic. To avoid crowds and enjoy the trail’s tranquility, start your hike before 8 a.m. on weekdays. Early mornings also offer the best light for photography and the clearest views before fog settles.

Winter (December–February) is the quietest season, with fewer visitors and dramatic storm views—but trails may be muddy and slippery. Spring (March–May) brings wildflowers and migrating gray whales, making it the most popular season. Summer (June–August) is foggy but cool, and fall (September–November) offers the most consistent sunshine.

4. Safety on the Cliffs

Cliff erosion is a serious hazard. Rockfalls occur without warning, especially after rain or strong winds. Never stand directly beneath overhangs or climb on ledges. Stay at least 15 feet back from cliff edges, even if the path appears stable.

If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or experience shortness of breath, stop immediately. Altitude isn’t an issue here, but coastal air can be thin due to wind and pressure changes. Sit down, hydrate, and wait for symptoms to subside before continuing.

5. Navigation and Communication

Cell service is spotty along the trail. Download offline maps on AllTrails, Gaia GPS, or Google Maps before leaving San Francisco. Share your itinerary with someone not on the hike—including your planned route, start time, and expected return time.

Carry a fully charged power bank. In emergencies, use your phone’s SOS feature if you have a signal. If not, stay put and use visual signals (bright clothing, whistle, mirror) to attract attention.

Tools and Resources

1. Mapping and Navigation Apps

These apps are indispensable for navigating the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail:

• AllTrails: Offers detailed trail maps, user reviews, elevation profiles, and photos. The “Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail” route has over 1,200 verified reviews and is frequently updated.
• Gaia GPS: Best for offline use. Download the California Coastal Trail layer and enable topographic contours to identify elevation changes and safe crossing points.
• Google Maps (Offline Mode): Download the Half Moon Bay area before departure. While less detailed than specialized apps, it provides reliable location tracking and road navigation to trailheads.

2. Weather and Tide Resources

• NOAA Tides & Currents: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ – Provides accurate tide predictions for Half Moon Bay (Station ID: 9413450).
• Windy.com: Offers hyperlocal wind, temperature, and fog predictions with animated overlays. Ideal for planning sunrise hikes.
• National Weather Service – Monterey: https://www.weather.gov/mtr/ – Issues coastal advisories and marine forecasts.

3. Local Organizations and Permits

Several local groups maintain and protect the trail:

• San Mateo County Parks: Manages the Coastal Trail and provides trail condition updates. Visit https://www.smcgov.org/parks for alerts on closures due to erosion or wildlife protection.
• Save the Bay: Offers volunteer opportunities and educational resources about coastal conservation.
• California State Parks – Pigeon Point Lighthouse: If extending your hike to the lighthouse, check for parking permits and guided tours.

4. Gear Recommendations

Here are top-rated gear items for this trail:

• Footwear: Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX – waterproof, grippy, lightweight.
• Backpack: Osprey Talon 22 – ventilated, with hydration sleeve and rain cover.
• Water: Platypus 2L Hydration Bladder – hands-free hydration.
• Layers: Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Shirt + Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody.
• Navigation: Garmin inReach Mini 2 – satellite communicator with SOS and GPS tracking.
• Camera: Sony RX100 VII – compact, high-quality zoom for capturing distant whales and cliffs.

5. Educational Resources

Deepen your appreciation with these resources:

• “Coastal California: A Natural History” by David R. Ganz – Covers ecology, geology, and wildlife of the region.
• California Coastal Trail Project (CCTP): https://www.coastaltrail.org – Official state initiative with maps and history.
• YouTube Channel: “California Hiking” – Features drone footage and vlogs of the Half Moon Bay trail.

Real Examples

Example 1: The Weekend Photographer

Emma, a freelance photographer from Oakland, hikes the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail every third Sunday. She leaves San Francisco at 5:30 a.m., arrives at Miramar Beach by 6:45 a.m., and hikes to San Mateo Point to capture the sunrise over the Pacific. She uses a 100–400mm lens to photograph gray whales migrating past the breakwater and a wide-angle lens for the dramatic cliff lines. She carries a carbon-fiber tripod and a waterproof camera bag. Emma always checks the tide chart—she only hikes during low tide to photograph the tide pools at their most vibrant. Her photos have been featured in local galleries and on the San Mateo County tourism website.

Example 2: The Family Hiker

The Rivera family from San Mateo brings their two children, ages 6 and 9, on the trail every fall. They start at Miramar Beach and hike only 1.5 miles to the first overlook, then turn back. They bring binoculars, a nature scavenger hunt list (“Find a sea star, a purple sea urchin, a crab shell”), and peanut butter sandwiches. They avoid weekends and choose overcast days to prevent sunburn. The kids love the interpretive signs and the chance to see seals basking on rocks at Pillar Point. The family has participated in two beach cleanups organized by San Mateo County Parks and now teaches their school class about coastal conservation.

Example 3: The Solo Adventurer

James, a retired engineer from San Francisco, hikes the full 7-mile loop from Miramar to Princeton-by-the-Sea and back every Monday. He carries a Garmin inReach device, a journal, and a thermos of black coffee. He records weather patterns, bird sightings, and changes in the cliff erosion over time. James has documented 14 instances of cliff collapse since 2020 and shares his observations with the California Coastal Commission. He says the trail is his “meditation space” and credits it with helping him recover from depression after his wife’s passing. “The ocean doesn’t care about your grief,” he writes in his journal. “But it holds you anyway.”

Example 4: The Trail Runner

Lena, a competitive trail runner from Berkeley, uses the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail for speed workouts. She runs the 3.5-mile stretch from Miramar to San Mateo Point in under 32 minutes, using the flat sand sections for sprints and the rocky climbs for strength intervals. She trains in the early morning fog, which she says helps her focus. She wears trail-running shoes with Vibram soles and carries a lightweight hydration vest. Lena participates in the annual Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail Run, a 10K event that raises funds for trail maintenance and coastal education.

FAQs

Is the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail free to access?

Yes. There is no entrance fee to hike the Coastal Trail. Parking at Miramar Beach and Princeton-by-the-Sea is free for day use. Some adjacent areas, like Pigeon Point Lighthouse, may charge a small parking fee, but the trail itself is publicly accessible.

Can I bring my dog?

Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be leashed at all times. Some sections near wildlife nesting areas may have seasonal restrictions—check signage or the San Mateo County Parks website before heading out. Always clean up after your pet.

How long does the hike take?

A round-trip from Miramar Beach to San Mateo Point (3.5 miles each way) takes about 2.5–3.5 hours, depending on pace and stops. The full trail to Princeton-by-the-Sea (7 miles round-trip) takes 4–5 hours. Allow extra time for photography, tide pool exploration, or rest.

Are there restrooms on the trail?

Restrooms are available at Miramar Beach and Princeton-by-the-Sea. There are no facilities between these points. Plan accordingly.

Is the trail wheelchair accessible?

Only the first 0.5 miles from Miramar Beach are paved and relatively flat, making them suitable for mobility devices on smooth days. Beyond that, the trail becomes uneven, rocky, and steep. There is no ADA-accessible route along the full trail.

What should I do if I see a stranded marine animal?

Do not touch or approach. Note the location and call the Marine Mammal Center at 415-289-7325. They respond to seals, sea lions, and whales in distress. Report sightings of dead or injured birds to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Can I camp on the trail?

No. Camping is prohibited along the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail. The nearest campgrounds are at Pescadero State Park (15 miles south) or in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Is it safe to hike alone?

Yes, the trail is generally safe, especially during daylight hours. However, always inform someone of your plans, carry a communication device, and avoid hiking after dark. The trail sees consistent foot traffic on weekends, but weekdays are quieter.

What’s the best time of year to hike?

Spring (March–May) offers the best combination of weather, wildflowers, and whale migration. Fall (September–November) provides the clearest skies and fewer crowds. Summer is foggy but cool; winter is rainy and windy but dramatic.

Can I swim at Miramar Beach?

Swimming is not recommended. The waters are cold, with strong rip currents and unpredictable waves. Lifeguards are not stationed here. Enjoy the ocean from the shore.

Conclusion

Hiking the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail from San Francisco is more than a day trip—it’s a chance to connect with the wild, untamed beauty of the Pacific coastline. Whether you’re drawn by the thrill of whale watching, the quiet of dawn-lit cliffs, or the simple joy of walking a path shaped by wind, water, and time, this trail offers something profound for every visitor. By following the steps outlined in this guide—planning your route, respecting nature, packing wisely, and using the right tools—you transform a simple walk into a meaningful, safe, and unforgettable experience.

As you stand on the edge of the bluffs, listening to the crash of waves below and the cry of gulls overhead, remember: this landscape has endured for millennia. Your role is not to conquer it, but to witness it—with care, curiosity, and reverence. Lace up your boots, check the tide, and step onto the trail. The ocean is waiting.