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Half Moon Bay State Beach

Name: Half Moon Bay State Beach
Rating: 2.00

Type: Trail

Length: 4.00 Miles

Elevation Gain: N/A

Cost: N/A

Rating:

(2.00)1

Difficulty: 1star

(1.00)

Solitude:

(2.00)

ADA Accessible: Yes

Bikes Allowed: Yes

Dogs Allowed: Yes

Interpretive Guide: No

City: Half Moon Bay

County: San Mateo

More Information: More Info

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Half Moon Bay State Beach is not a hiking destination. It's reason for being is access to the Pacific Ocean and that's what most people come for. Nevertheless, the backside of the state beach includes a mixed trail of paved and unpaved sections paralleling the shore but away from the beach itself.

Half Moon Bay's trail as it heads north with the Pacific to the west. Lots of bunnies enjoyed the shelter and safety of the thick foliage.

Many trails take on an animal theme for those who hike it. For some reason a certain species of animal predominates and becomes associated with the trail itself. For this one that animal would be the ubiquitous bunny. The northern segment of the trail mostly after the pavement ends became bunny central with the small creatures darting into the brush whenever a walker or cyclist would pass by.

A bridge crossing Frenchman's Creek that cuts through the trail was closed. The bridge was constructed of metal and wood. Both materials have shown extensive attack by the elements and one half of the bridge surface had partially collapsed. The powers that be placed water filled barricades on both sides of the bridge to warn visitors away. The creek bed is not very deep, but it is quite thick with vegetation. There's simply no way to avoid using the bridge if you want to continue your hike. So everyone we saw on the trail just walked around the obstacles, walked on the non-collapsed side of the bridge and went on their merry way.

We turned back when the trail ran into the Viking House. This distinctive abode must be seen to be believed. It's got character in spades. The trail beyond this point technically follows the road, continuing for a bit longer before joining another road but it seemed like a logical place to turn around and head back. We had come to walk near the water and beach, not a sidewalk.

From the main parking lot at Half Moon Bay State Beach the trail also continues south for some miles, all the way to Canada Verde Creek. That should double up the mileage that's described and mapped here and giving ample reason for a future visit.

Photos

Looking down the coast from the trail. Note the wind swept trees and shrubs that all lean away from the predominant wind direction. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

This interesting house stood at our turnaround point. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

It was an overcast and chilly day on the coast. (Photo by Austin Explorer)

Log Entries

Easy path not too far from the shore
By Austin Explorer on 5/31/2014
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 20 minutes

With one exception, the path is entirely paved and easy to walk for hikers of all abilities. Since it follows the Pacific shoreline it's very flat through most of its length.

The one segment that's problematic is a bridge that was out of service. Part of the metal support had rusted away and the wooden planks were drooping on one side. There were signs on both sides of the bridge that it was closed, but everyone going in both directions ignored that and just used the more stable side of the bridge. Hopefully the parks department can conjure up the funds needed for repair or perhaps replacement of the structure.