Introduction:
Where? :
Moss Beach is a small town just north of Half Moon Bay, you can find here a small Cypress Trees grove, a small sandy beach and J V Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.
Google Map Link
Update as of Dec 2023:
The walking bridge connecting the J V Fitzgerald Marine Reserve parking to the cypress grove is close so you can't walk to the grove hill.In order to visit the tree grove you need to drive and park on the other side of the grove at this location or at this location.
When this is a low tide you can go and visit the ocean tide pool, hike into unique old Cypress trees grove, go down to a small sandy beach or even hike south along the ocean cliffs and visit Pillar Point Bluff.
Year round.
I really like the Cypress trees grove hill, explore the beaches and hike into the relatively large Pillar Point open space preserve.
The
visit:
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).
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 trail enters a grove of old and large
Cypress trees forming a beautiful canopy trail (similar place the Point Reyes Tree Tunnel).
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.
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
Additional Pictures:
What? :
Visiting Moss Beach can offer several activities and places to visit.
When this is a low tide you can go and visit the ocean tide pool, hike into unique old Cypress trees grove, go down to a small sandy beach or even hike south along the ocean cliffs and visit Pillar Point Bluff.
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, explore the beaches and hike into the relatively large Pillar Point open space preserve.
Nearby location to visit:
Nearby location to visit:
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 highway 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:
See my update comment above on where you need to park your car
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, enjoy 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
Additional Pictures:
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