Half Moon Bay State Beach-Francis Beach
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Francis State Beach entrance to Half Moon Bay State Beach is at 95 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay, CA
Starting Point: There is paid parking for Francis Beach which is by the Half Moon Bay State Beach Visitor Center
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Half Moon Bay State Beach info link (CA.gov):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=531
Half Moon Bay State Beach info link (VisitHalfMoonBay.org):
https://www.visithalfmoonbay.org/discover/half-moon-bay-state-beach
Half Moon Bay State Beach info link (ThatsMyPark.org):
https://thatsmypark.org/parks-and-beaches/half-moon-bay-state-beach/
Half Moon Bay State Beach info link (CoastsideStateParks.org):
https://www.coastsidestateparks.org/half-moon-bay-state-beach
Francis Beach Campground info link (CA.gov):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30736
Distance:
Half Moon Bay beaches stretch for four miles, and are broadly split into Francis, Venice, Dunes, and Roosevelt Beach. This hike description is based from the Francis Beach parking area near the Half Moon Bay State Beach Visitor Center.
Considerations:
• There is a day use fee at the Half Moon Bay State Beach parking lot at 95 Kelly Ave. ($10 per vehicle during our visit).
• There is a proper toilet facility at the Half Moon Bay State Beach/Francis Beach parking area.
• There are picnic tables on the bluff above the beach and a paved ramp down to the beach.
• It can be windy along the coast, and weather can change quickly. Layers are always a good option.
• Dogs are not allowed on the beach, but are allowed on leash on trails and at the campground.
• Heed health, safety and wildlife notices. Never turn your back on the ocean and be aware that sneaker waves can come in unexpectedly.
The trail:
We visited the Half Moon Bay State Beach main parking area at Francis Beach on Kelly Ave. in late winter, so parking was available, unlike the popular summer times when Highway 1 can slow to a crawl with beachgoers looking for parking and beach access.
After paying the day fee and parking, we checked out the Half Moon Bay State Beach Visitor Center before heading down to the beach. At the time of our visit, the small visitor center was only open on weekends.
Looking at the map after the fact, I realize that we missed a highlight spot right near the visitor center, where the skull of a blue whale is on display. We’ll check that out next time.
The Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail which leads along the bluff above the beach goes to points south such as Poplar Beach, and extends north toward Miramar Beach. Walkers could make a long hike by going up and back along the Coastal Trail.
Our visit was to the beach itself. We walked past the picnic tables above the beach toward the paved path down to the beach. (Continuing north without turning to the beach leads to the Francis Beach Campground.)
All beaches are beautiful in their own way. Half Moon Bay State Beach from Francis Beach is a wide open beach with plenty of space for beach walkers, picnickers with their tents and beach chairs, and fishermen along the water’s edge.
There is plenty of beach to walk whether facing south toward Poplar Beach or north toward a long series of beaches, including Venice, Dunes, Roosevelt and Miramar.
Facing northwest, Mavericks Beach and the looming white globe of the Pillar Point Air Force Station hover like a mirage. We saw sculptural pieces of driftwood and fascinating piles of seaweed along our walk. Kites made for a manmade visual treat.
We visited in winter when it was chilly in the wind even with the sun out, but temperatures and wind conditions vary during summer as well. We enjoyed our visit and will go again, but would probably avoid the jammed beach roads at the peak of summer beach season.
Half Moon Bay State Beach-Francis Beach Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Dads” Insights post.
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Francis State Beach entrance to Half Moon Bay State Beach is at 95 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay, CA
Starting Point: There is paid parking for Francis Beach which is by the Half Moon Bay State Beach Visitor Center
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Half Moon Bay State Beach info link (CA.gov):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=531
Half Moon Bay State Beach info link (VisitHalfMoonBay.org):
https://www.visithalfmoonbay.org/discover/half-moon-bay-state-beach
Half Moon Bay State Beach info link (ThatsMyPark.org):
https://thatsmypark.org/parks-and-beaches/half-moon-bay-state-beach/
Half Moon Bay State Beach info link (CoastsideStateParks.org):
https://www.coastsidestateparks.org/half-moon-bay-state-beach
Francis Beach Campground info link (CA.gov):
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30736
Distance:
Half Moon Bay beaches stretch for four miles, and are broadly split into Francis, Venice, Dunes, and Roosevelt Beach. This hike description is based from the Francis Beach parking area near the Half Moon Bay State Beach Visitor Center.
Considerations:
• There is a day use fee at the Half Moon Bay State Beach parking lot at 95 Kelly Ave. ($10 per vehicle during our visit).
• There is a proper toilet facility at the Half Moon Bay State Beach/Francis Beach parking area.
• There are picnic tables on the bluff above the beach and a paved ramp down to the beach.
• It can be windy along the coast, and weather can change quickly. Layers are always a good option.
• Dogs are not allowed on the beach, but are allowed on leash on trails and at the campground.
• Heed health, safety and wildlife notices. Never turn your back on the ocean and be aware that sneaker waves can come in unexpectedly.
The trail:
We visited the Half Moon Bay State Beach main parking area at Francis Beach on Kelly Ave. in late winter, so parking was available, unlike the popular summer times when Highway 1 can slow to a crawl with beachgoers looking for parking and beach access.
After paying the day fee and parking, we checked out the Half Moon Bay State Beach Visitor Center before heading down to the beach. At the time of our visit, the small visitor center was only open on weekends.
Looking at the map after the fact, I realize that we missed a highlight spot right near the visitor center, where the skull of a blue whale is on display. We’ll check that out next time.
The Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail which leads along the bluff above the beach goes to points south such as Poplar Beach, and extends north toward Miramar Beach. Walkers could make a long hike by going up and back along the Coastal Trail.
Our visit was to the beach itself. We walked past the picnic tables above the beach toward the paved path down to the beach. (Continuing north without turning to the beach leads to the Francis Beach Campground.)
All beaches are beautiful in their own way. Half Moon Bay State Beach from Francis Beach is a wide open beach with plenty of space for beach walkers, picnickers with their tents and beach chairs, and fishermen along the water’s edge.
There is plenty of beach to walk whether facing south toward Poplar Beach or north toward a long series of beaches, including Venice, Dunes, Roosevelt and Miramar.
Facing northwest, Mavericks Beach and the looming white globe of the Pillar Point Air Force Station hover like a mirage. We saw sculptural pieces of driftwood and fascinating piles of seaweed along our walk. Kites made for a manmade visual treat.
We visited in winter when it was chilly in the wind even with the sun out, but temperatures and wind conditions vary during summer as well. We enjoyed our visit and will go again, but would probably avoid the jammed beach roads at the peak of summer beach season.
Half Moon Bay State Beach-Francis Beach Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Dads” Insights post.
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
