Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gray Whale Cove to Half Moon Bay
One of the coast's popular 'clothing-optional' beaches is
Gray Whale Cove State Beach
,
just south of Point San Pedro. Park across the road and cross Hwy 1 to the beach
very
carefully.
Montara State Beach
is just a half-mile south. From the town of Montara, 22
miles from San Francisco, trails climb up from the Martini Creek parking lot into
McNee
Ranch
, which has hiking and cycling trails aplenty, including a strenuous ascent to the
panoramic viewpoint of Montara Mountain, and access to the new 4000-acre park of
Starting life as a fog station in 1875, the
Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel
(
650-728-7177;
www.norcalhostels.org/montara
;
cnr Hwy 1 & 16th St; dm $27, r $75; )
is adja-
cent to the current lighthouse, which dates from 1928. This very popular hostel has a liv-
ing room, kitchen facilities and an international clientele. There are a few private rooms
for couples or families. Reservations are a good idea anytime, but especially on weekends
during summer. SamTrans bus 17 stops outside.
of the lighthouse at Moss Beach, is an extensive area of natural tidal pools and a habitat
for harbor seals. Walk out among the pools at low tide - wearing shoes that you can get
wet - and explore the myriad crabs, sea stars, mollusks and rainbow-colored sea anemone.
Note that it's illegal to remove any creatures, shells or even rocks from the marine reserve.
From Hwy 1 in Moss Beach, turn west onto California Ave and drive to the end. SamTrans
bus 17 stops along Hwy 1.
Overlooking the ocean, the
Moss Beach Distillery
( 650-728-5595;
www.mossbeachdistillery.com
; cnr Beach Way & Ocean Blvd; mains $15-36; noon-9pm Mon-Sat,
from 11am Sun; )
is a 1927 landmark. In fair weather the restaurant's deck is the best place
for miles around to have a leisurely cocktail or glass of vino. Reservations recommended.
South of here is a hamlet named
Princeton
, with a stretch of coast called Pillar Point.
Fishing boats bring in their catch at the Pillar Point Harbor, some of which gets cooked up
in a bevy of seafront restaurants. In the harbor,
Half Moon Bay Kayak
( 650-773-6101;
www.hmbkayak.com
;
10am-4pm Wed-Mon)
rents kayaks and offers guided trips of Pillar
Point and the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
(
www.hmbbrewingco.com
;
390 Capistrano Rd; mains $15-23;
11:30am-9pm Mon-Thu, to 10pm Fri,
9:30am-10pm Sat & Sun;
)
serves seafood, burgers and a tantalizing menu of local brews
