San Mateo County California Beaches

San Mateo County Beaches are like a dream. Just south of San Francisco beaches, these refuges feel slightly remote, even though the entire Bay Area with its several million residents are within driving distance of these Pacific treasures.

Half Moon Bay is the gathering place each spring for the Big Wave surf championship, a gathering of the elite surfers who come from around the globe by invitation only.

Moss Beach is a favorite of kayakers, while Pacifica offers a great fishing pier and not that many crowds as you'd expect. 

What's so special about San Mateo County beaches? The scenic, rugged beauty of the coast with cliffs carved by rain, wind and the sands of time. If you stand on one such cliff overlooking the Half Moon Bay Ritz-Carlton with is verdant golf course lawns you'd swear you must be in a foreign land -- maybe Ireland. This part of California is really special and highly recommended for any coastal trip in the Silicon Valley / San Francisco area.

LIST OF SAN MATEO COUNTY BEACHES:

Ano Nuevo State Reserve
The Fist
Gazos Creek Access
Pigeon Point
Bean Hollow State Beach
Pebble Beach
Pescadero State Beach
The Gulch
Pomponio State Beach
San Gregorio State Beach
San Gregorio Private Beach
Martin's Beach
Cowell Ranch Beach
Pelican Point Beach
Francis Beach
Venice Beach
Dunes Beach
Miramar Beach
El Granada Beach
Pillar Point Harbor
Mavericks
James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
Central San Mateo
Montara State Beach
Gray Whale Cove State Beach
Pacifica State Beach
Rockaway Beach
Sharp Park State Beach
Esplanade Beach
San Mateo
Thornton State Beach

BEFORE YOU GO! Check water quality. There are several sources such as healthebay.org and San Mateo County's own system, County of San Mateo Health System (smchealth.org). Here is a sample report supplied by the county agency to show you factors to consider before going into the water, showing elevated levels of indicator bacteria. The results may not be current so do check for updates or look for posted with warning signs:

Ocean Beaches: Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
Pillar Point #5 (Capistrano Beach)
Pillar Point #7 (Surf at West Point Ave)
Other Locations: The following Creeks, Lakes, Lagoons, Bay Beaches, Ditches, and/or Storm Drains have elevated levels of indicator bacteria and have been posted: Creeks (where they meet or cross the beach)
San Pedro Creek (Linda Mar Beach South)
San Vicente Creek (Fitzgerald Marine Reserve)
Frenchman's Creek (Venice Beach North)
Pilarcitos Creek (Venice Beach South)

Bay Beaches Parkside Aquatic Park (on the Marina Lagoon)

If you want to see beaches that seem accessible, yet slightly remote in terms of visitor traffic, strewn with driftwood and very inspiring, head for San Mateo Beaches: San Gregorio Beach, Pomponio Beach, Pescadero Beach, Pebble Beach and Bean Hollow Beach.

San Mateo County beaches have a fascinating history that makes them even more intriguing. Dating back thousands of years to the time of native American dwellers, there are many things we may never know about the San Mateo Beaches storied past. In more recent times we do know that when the Spaniards began exploring the coast there were reports of shipwrecks and even pirate landings along the San Mateo County Coastline.

We are slightly biased as our favorite beaches in the county are located in and around Half Moon Bay. Those famed surfing beaches are home to Mavericks, the big wave surf contest held most years in December through March time frame, when waves reach around 50 feet. Half Moon Bay features restaurants and breweries overlooking its beaches, making for a nice retreat and extended vacation stay.