Coastside Trail

Location

Coastside Trail runs for over 5 miles in the vicinity of Half Moon Bay, right along the coast. You can begin the trail at any number of places along its 5-mile length between Pillar Point Harbor in Princeton and Poplar Avenue in Half Moon Bay. I recommend beginning at the West end of Magellan Avenue at its intersection with Mirada Rd, just a couple of blocks from Magellan Avenue's intersection with Highway 1, in Miramar (a small town a few miles North of Half Moon Bay). You can park along the street there, and hike South along paved and boardwalked paths.

The area to the North of here (at Point Break) is currently being developed through a state-funded program, that should replace the poorly maintained dirt trail with something safer (there are large ruts and part of the trail washed away (see photos below), so you have to hike for about 200 feet, along the road).

You can also park and begin the hike from a number of state beaches along the trail, including Roosevelt Beach, Dunes Beach (off of Young Ave off Hwy 1), Venice Beach (off of Venice Blvd off Hwy 1), or Francis Beach (off of Kelly Avenue in Half Moon Bay), or Bluff Top Coastal Park.

Attractions:

Beautiful coastal views!
Wind and spray are mild at Half Moon Bay, so this is an ideal place to come and experience the beach.
Trail runs alongside the East side of several beaches, marinas, and parks.
Wildlife include a wide range of sea birds, rabbits, and mice.
Some people fish at the marina areas, West of the trail.
There are campsites at Francis Beach.
There are showers at Francis and Venice Beach.
There are bathrooms at marinas, boat launches, and Francis and Venice Beach.
Enjoy artfully decorated and landscaped businesses, galleries, and beach houses along the trail.
The trail is wide and paved or boardwalked along the vast majority of its length.
There are benches and picnic tables, as well as great grassy bluffs, for rests or picnics, along the trail when it runs alongside state parks.
A horse trail runs parallel to this trail between Roosevelt and Francis Beach (horses are not allowed on the beach).
Dogs are allowed along the trail, but are prohibited on the beach.
Some cafes and restaurants offer seating near the trail, or food to go.
Surfers frequent this coastline; see if you can pick them out from seals or sea lions.

Limitations:

Dogs are allowed along the trail, but are prohibited on the beach.
The ocean is an unpredictable, potentially dangerous thing. Always be careful and play close attention to the water!
Beach access ranges a great deal from dangerously steep and precarious, to easy. Judge beach access carefully before attempting it with a stroller or while carrying a child.
Sand on the beaches can be thick and difficult to walk or stroll through. Use caution when navigating through it.
Expect to get sand everywhere! A small tub, large water bottle, soft brushes, and towels, can make cleanup more enjoyable, if you don't want to wait for sand to dry and fall off naturally.

Season:

Open year-round.

Fees:

None.

Maps & More Information:

Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce Webpage of local trails: www.halfmoonbaychamber.org/visiting_hmb/trail_guide.html
California State Parks Webpage for Half Moon Bay State Beach: www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=531
Half Moon Bay Parks and Recreation may be able to give status of trail North of Mirada Rd. (Point Break): 650-726-8297

Handicapped Access:

The trails are delightfully wide and smooth, typically paved or boardwalk. Avoid the trail North of Mirada Road, which is being developed. Beach access can be difficult (with narrow, sandy paths) and steep, so plan accordingly, if you want to venture off of the trail.

Recommended routes:

Coastside Trail South of Mirada Road:
From the West end of Mirada Road in Miramar, begin by hiking South along the road that runs parallel to the beach. The road will end in several hundred feet, and the trail will formally begin, along a footbridge over an outlet to the sea. Follow the trail as it winds through lovely coastal neighborhoods, alongside mellow businesses, and past beautiful beaches. Turn back the way you came, when you would like. Coastal access occurs frequently, but some of the less formal access points can include narrow and steep trails with thick sand that is difficult to move through. More formal access near state park parking lots is more straightforward, but you may have to navigate stairs. Total distance (round trip) is estimated at 7 miles round trip.

Coastside Trail North of Mirada Road:
Follow the road to Princeton and Pillar Point Marina, turning left at Capistrano Road at a signal along Hwy 1, and you can park at any number of lots for the area (there are boat ramps, fishing, cafes, and a marina in this area). You can begin hiking South from the vicinity of the Brew Pub, at the North end of the marina, along the wide, paved side walks. The walks wind out the the marina, fishing area, boat ramp, and along the mellow beaches, here. The path climbs slightly to parallel Hwy 1, and reaches a point where it has been washed away (there are blockades), so if using a stroller, you will have to walk along the wide shoulder of the highway for several feet. Turn right to follow the trail as it becomes packed dirt and follows along the grassy bluff to Point Break. Follow the trail as it turns inland slightly (to avoid a beach house), and navigate rutted dirt trail with a plywood makeshift bridge to read Mirada Rd. Turn right and follow Mirada until it ends and turn left to follow the road along the beach. At this point, continue the hike as described above (Coastside Trail South of Mirada Rd.) and turn back as you prefer. Beach access is best very early on in this hike, as the Point Break bluffs are high above the beach, so access is dangerously steep. Total distance is estimated at 3 miles round trip.