Half Moon Bay sits 28 miles south of San Francisco on Highway 1, and its beaches run a full 4 miles along Half Moon Bay State Beach. The water temperature averages 55-58°F year-round, which keeps crowds thin compared to Southern California but draws serious surfers, tide pool explorers, and anyone who wants a wide sandy beach without the parking circus.
Here are the top beaches, what each one is actually good for, and what you need to know before you go.
Miramar Beach
Rating: 4.7 | 320 reviews
Miramar is the most accessible of the Half Moon Bay beaches, with a small parking area right off Highway 1 at Medio Avenue. The crescent of dark sand sits in a partially sheltered cove backed by coastal bluffs, and compared to the fully exposed state beach stretches, it sees slightly calmer water. That said, it's still a Pacific beach with consistent waves and strong rip currents, so swimming here requires attention and solid water skills.
Surfers use the reef and sand bottom breaks here throughout the year, with the best conditions arriving in fall and winter. Tide pools line the rocky edges on both sides of the cove. Water temperature typically runs 54-58°F, so a full wetsuit is standard.
Getting there: Park on Medio Avenue or the small lot at the beach access path. No day-use fee for this stretch.
Francis Beach
Rating: 4.6 | 141 reviews
Francis Beach is the main beach within Half Moon Bay State Beach and the most heavily used stretch. The wide sandy expanse runs north from the campground entrance at the end of Kelly Avenue, and the bluffs behind create a dramatic backdrop that draws photographers, especially at sunset.
This is not a swimming beach. The powerful Pacific swells and strong rip currents here are well-documented, and lifeguards are not present year-round. Experienced surfers, bodyboarders, and fitness swimmers who know the water will find consistent wave action. The beach also serves as the trailhead for the Coastside Trail, a paved multi-use path that runs 6.5 miles from Miramar to Mavericks Beach.
Camping: Half Moon Bay State Beach campground at Francis Beach has 52 sites (tent and RV). Reservations go through ReserveCalifornia. The campground fills on summer weekends weeks in advance.
Day-use fee: $10/vehicle, paid at the entrance kiosk.
Dunes Beach
Rating: 4.7 | 63 reviews
Dunes Beach sits in the middle section of the state beach, accessed from Young Avenue off Highway 1. Sandy coastal dunes rise sharply behind the shoreline here, more dramatically than at other stretches, giving the beach a raw, windswept feel. The wide sandy expanse handles crowds better than the northern beaches, but foot traffic thins out significantly on weekdays.
The exposed position means this stretch gets consistent wind, which makes it popular with kite flyers and photographers wanting dramatic coastal shots with the dune backdrop. Surfers hit the peaks here during northwest swells. The cold water and lack of swimming amenities mean casual beachgoers who want to sit in the sun and get in the water are better served elsewhere.
Day-use fee: $10/vehicle. Part of Half Moon Bay State Beach.
Roosevelt Beach
Rating: 4.6 | 231 reviews
Roosevelt Beach is the southern section of the state beach, near Pillar Point. The cove setting here creates more sheltered conditions than the exposed northern stretches, and the rocky outcrops buffer some of the heaviest Pacific swells. That makes Roosevelt one of the more viable spots for casual swimming when conditions cooperate, though the 55°F water temperature is a non-negotiable factor.
The southern end has good tide pools accessible during low tide, and the proximity to Pillar Point Harbor means fishing boats and harbor seals are regular sights offshore. A small parking area off Roosevelt Boulevard provides access.
Tip: Check the NOAA tide charts before visiting for tide pool access. The best pools are exposed during minus tides.
Mirada Surf Beach
Rating: 4.5 | 134 reviews
Mirada Surf Beach is a local surf spot north of the main state beach, known for consistent reef and sand bottom breaks that work best on northwest swells in fall and winter. It's a less-crowded alternative for experienced surfers who want to avoid the state beach crowds, though "less crowded" is relative, since this beach has a dedicated local following.
The break runs powerful during peak winter swells, when wave faces regularly reach 8-12 feet at the primary take-off zones. Not appropriate for beginners or swimmers. Strong longshore drift and cold water are year-round constants.
Access: Parking on Mirada Road. No fee. The beach is accessed via a short trail through coastal scrub.
Elmar Beach
Rating: 4.8 | 6 reviews
Elmar Beach is a small sheltered cove with notably calm water relative to its neighbors, protected by rocky outcrops that diffuse incoming swells. Families with young children find it more approachable than the open-exposure state beach stretches, and tide pools along the rocky edges attract explorers during low tide.
It sits in a quieter residential area and gets a fraction of the foot traffic of Francis or Dunes Beach. The tradeoff is minimal amenities. No restrooms, no concessions, and limited parking on the adjacent street. Bring everything you need.
Vallejo Beach
Rating: 4.7 | 9 reviews
Vallejo Beach offers a protected cove with calmer conditions than the exposed northern stretches, and it draws a mix of families and beginner surfers when winter swells aren't running large. The sandstone cliffs framing the cove give it a dramatic visual quality, and the relatively quiet location means it rarely feels overcrowded.
Tide pools appear along the rocky outcrops at low tide. The beach sits within a small residential neighborhood, and street parking is limited. Best visited on a weekday if you want easy access.
Redondo Beach (Half Moon Bay)
Rating: 4.4 | 51 reviews
Note: this is a different beach from the city of Redondo Beach in Los Angeles County. This Redondo Beach sits within the natural curve of Half Moon Bay near Pillar Point, which gives it slightly more protected conditions and shallower water at the shore. The gently sloping bottom and reduced wave energy make it one of the more forgiving spots in the area for casual water entry.
A warmer microclimate here means the wind tends to be lighter than at the exposed northern stretches, which is useful for families trying to avoid the characteristic Half Moon Bay chill. Amenities are minimal. Street parking only.
Manhattan Beach (Half Moon Bay)
Rating: 4.9 | 65 reviews
Also not the Manhattan Beach in LA County. This one sits on the San Mateo coastline, tucked into a dramatic crescent cove with towering sandstone cliffs and sea stacks. The highest-rated beach in the Half Moon Bay area by visitor reviews, though the review count of 65 is small enough that the rating reflects a self-selected group of visitors rather than a broad sample.
The beach attracts experienced surfers and bodyboarders dealing with powerful, consistent waves and strong rip currents. Tide pools form among the rocky outcrops at low tide. The sea stacks and cliffs make it one of the most photographed stretches of the San Mateo coast. Not suitable for casual swimming.
Venice State Beach (Half Moon Bay)
Rating: 4.7 | 97 reviews
Venice State Beach in Half Moon Bay runs along the northern end of the state beach system, with powerful, consistent surf year-round and some of the strongest currents on this stretch of coast. Winter swells produce the best wave conditions, and the beach draws experienced surfers who prefer its raw, windswept character over more crowded Bay Area breaks.
The cliffs behind the beach back up the tide pools on the rocky edges, and kelp forests are visible offshore. The beach sits adjacent to a working-class neighborhood and retains a distinctly local, non-touristy feel compared to Francis Beach. Wetsuits are non-negotiable here.
Naples Beach (Half Moon Bay)
Rating: 4.4 | 19 reviews
Naples Beach is a small sheltered cove in the southern Half Moon Bay area, with calmer water than the exposed northern stretches. The framing by coastal bluffs and kelp forests offshore gives it a scenic quality, and the relative quiet means it draws a more local crowd rather than day-trippers coming specifically for the state beach campground.
Low amenities: no restrooms, limited street parking, no lifeguards. The rocky sections at low tide reveal tide pools worth exploring. Best for experienced beachgoers who know what to bring and how to read Pacific conditions.
Planning Your Visit
Best time to go: June through September for the most stable weather, though fog ("Karl the Fog" from San Francisco) rolls in regularly. Morning fog typically burns off by midday. Water temperature changes little across seasons, staying 54-59°F year-round.
Water temperature: Bring a 3/2mm or 4/3mm wetsuit for any water activity. The cold Pacific is the primary reason this coastline stays less crowded than Southern California beaches.
Getting there: All Half Moon Bay beaches are accessible from Highway 1. The drive from San Francisco takes 45-60 minutes without traffic. Parking fills quickly on summer weekends, particularly at Francis Beach. Arrive before 10 AM or after 3 PM to avoid the crunch.
State beach day-use fee: $10/vehicle at Francis Beach, Dunes Beach, and other state-operated lots. Several smaller access points (Miramar, Mirada Road) are free.
Mavericks: The big-wave surf break that hosts periodic professional contests sits off Pillar Point, visible from Roosevelt Beach. Waves there can exceed 60 feet during major winter swells. Viewing from shore is free; the contest (when it runs) draws thousands of spectators.
Beach ratings and review counts from verified visitor data. Water temperature data from NOAA buoy 46012 (Half Moon Bay).