Introduction:
Where?
: Moss Beach is a small town just north of Half Moon Bay.
Google Map Link
What? :
Visiting Moss Beach can offer several activities and places to visit. From rock
and ocean tide pool, unique Cypress trees grove and open spec hikes.
When? :
Year round.
My
thoughts: I visit Moss Beach many times, both at winter and at summer and it
was always fun. I really like the Cypress trees grove hill, the beaches nearby
and the large Pillar Point open space preserve.
The
visit:
Visit
to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and Seal Cove and Cypress Tree Tunnel, north of
Half Moon Bay. You can combine this visit with a hike to Pillar Point open
space, beautiful blooms at late winter or spring season, and Mavericks Beach
(can be visit separately).
After a
short drive north from Half Moon Bay on hwy 1, pass the surf beach, boat harbor
and the local airport turn left into California Ave. Keep going slowly in the
neighborhood until you reach the Fitzgerald Marine ranger station parking lot
on your right.
At low
tide when there are no waves you can go down to the rocky beach and tour the ocean
tide pools, fan and learning activity for kids and grownups.
The
Hike:
The
hike to Cypress Tree Hill starts from the parking lot, the entrance is slightly
to your left (if the ocean path is on your right). After crossing the bridge
turn right, the trail starts at the north side of the hill with an open
viewpoint overlooking the ocean. The trail enters a grove of old and large
Cypress trees forming a beautiful canopy trail (similar place the Point Reyes Tree Tunnel).
You can
walk around the grove, enjoying the covered trails. At the southern end of the
grove you can go down the stairs to the small Seal Cove beach.
From the
grove the trip continues south on the cliff road, passing through Moss Beach
Distillery and continuing south on Ocean Blvd.
At the
south section of Moss Beach starts Pillar Point Bluff, a large open space ridge
above the ocean with few easy hike options.
You can
go all the way south and connect to Half Moon Bay Mavericks beach.
In the
southern part of the ridge there is an Air-Force base with the huge “golf ball”
antenna, on the left side there is a path that descends to the Mavericks Beach
parking lot.
From here you need to turn around hike back to your car. If you are coming with 2 cars you can park one at Mavericks beach Tide Pools Parking Lot; it will save you the hike back.
HI-Point
Montara Lighthouse:
At the
north point of Moss Beach, you can find the HI-Point Montara Lighthouse. When
going north on hwy 1 turn left into the hotel road (no official road sign, make
sure you do not miss the left turn), park outside.
This is
a family owned and operated hotel with a small, but nice, lighthouse. The
lighthouse is not open, but you can walk around. Great place to seat and enjoy the
beautiful views of the ocean below and the coastline to the north.
www:
https://parks.smcgov.org/fitzgerald-marine-reserve
Map:
http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/Attachments/parks/Files/Brochures/FitzgeraldBrochure.web.pdf
Pictures:
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