Based on
97 reviews
About Venice State Beach
Venice State Beach stretches along Half Moon Bay's dramatic coastline with consistent, powerful waves that attract surfers year-round, particularly during winter swells when conditions peak. The beach is backed by towering cliffs and bordered by tide pools teeming with starfish and anemones, offering exploration opportunities beyond the surf. Its relatively exposed, windswept character and working-class local vibe distinguish it from the more polished beaches nearby, making it a favorite spot for experienced wave riders and tide pool hunters rather than sunbathers.
Visitor Reviews
You do have to pay to park at the beach (It's a California state operated facility). There are picnic tables and a restroom. There are a lot of seagulls and there's quite a bit of feather litter near the little stream outlet. Getting to the beach means traversing the stream and there wasn't a way to get over it that wasn't a little haphazard (a small rinky-dink wooden bridge that wasn't ADA accessible). If they could fix the bridge issue, it's nice. Maybe a small clean up effort to remove the feathers every so often would be nice. Seagulls (aka 'sky rats') do live here, are looking for food, and fly overhead so be aware they may drop their feces on you. Typical ocean-fishy smell that you get used to during the visit. But the water was full of dolphins, fish-diving birds, and humpback whales. It was lovely to see them feeding off the coast. The water is a little walk from the parking lot. Just know, the walk isn't ADA accessible either, unfortunately. If you have a wheelchair, be prepared to walk through a bit of sand and stairs. The little town that supports this beach has lovely sushi and sandwiches. And a cute little downtown area full of books, sweets, and toys.
Venice State Beach in Half Moon Bay is a peaceful, family-friendly spot with easy access and ample parking ($10/day). A very short, flat walk leads to the beach—perfect for strollers and kids. There are benches for picnics, clean restrooms, and open space to relax. Small tide pools and the gentle flow of Frenchman Creek offer safe water play. In spring, the trail blooms with yellow lupine, pink floribundum, and vibrant yellow, pink sour fig, making it a scenic and serene coastal escape.
It is an amazing and beautiful place to visit and have fun with friends and family. A lot of parking lots and 10 $ for whole day. restrooms are clean, many thanks to the staff and the managers.
One on many beaches on US1. This place has plenty of parking with overflow lot. This facility also has restroom for added convenience. Restroom is kept somewhat clean, however needs more attention on regular cleaning perhaps to make it better. There is day use entrance fees looks like however if you are visiting after hours you should be ok to enter
The parking fee ($10) gets you into 3 adjacent state beaches. While the price seemed a bit steep, the time we spent there and the sunset we saw later that evening were very enjoyable. The sand is clean and the picnic tables overlook the waves & sand from the bluffs. I would definitely recommend visiting, especially on a clear day! Check out the sunset photos 😍
Reviews from Google Maps · Venice State Beach
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