SUNDAY DRIVE
5 Beaches, San Gregorio To Pigeon Point
What you'll see: The crystal days of fall on the coast can electrify the ocean views, as well as your experiences, at a series of five beaches on the southern San Mateo County coast.
Location: Five state beaches, a mix of famous, not so famous and infamous, are within 25 miles of Half Moon Bay going south along Highway 1.
THE FAMOUS
San Gregorio State Beach: If the parking is crowded, don’t worry. Just go the extra mile, literally. You will find a series of cut-outs and hollows next to the base of the cliffs. San Gregorio Creek feeds into the ocean and can often be crossed at the tidewaters before heavy winter rains arrive.
Pescadero State Beach: As at San Gregorio, this beach can seem crowded at first. Most visitors plop down within 200 yards of the parking lot. Just keep walking for more space. In fall and early winter, perch fishing can be excellent. Try fishing right after the bottom of low tide, when you can walk out far on the sand flats at the mouth of Pescadero Creek.
THE NOT SO FAMOUS
Pomponio State Beach: An expansive beach fronts high cliffs. On weekdays during low tides, if you walk a bit you can often have it to yourself.
THE INFAMOUS
Bean Hollow State Beach: Bean Hollow, nestled in a deep cove, is where great white sharks attacked anglers in kayaks in 2007 and 2010. The kayakers escaped without injury. The underwater contours in the cove create severe undertow hydraulics in the surf zone, and it can be dangerous to swim. It’s a pretty beach for picnics, and at the north end low tides reveal tide pools.
THE HISTORIC
Pigeon Point Light Station: On the north side of the lighthouse is a pretty beach. In spring and summer, it gets full-on wind out of the northwest, but in fall, the wind is light, and the beach is often warm and quiet. The 145th anniversary of the light station is Saturday, Nov. 18, when daylong events are planned.
Map/brochures: “San Mateo Coast State Beaches” PDF at state park website, www.parks.ca.gov.
Cost: $8 fee paid at San Gregorio, Pomponio or Pescadero is also good for the others on the same day. Free parking at Bean Hollow and Pigeon Point Light Station.
Dogs/rules: Leashed dogs OK at Bean Hollow. No dogs on the beach at San Gregorio, Pomponio, Pescadero or Pigeon Point Light Station. No fires or collecting driftwood or shells.
Weather: Marine forecast updated every morning at Pillar Point Harbor, (650) 726-6070, extension 2.
Contacts: San Mateo County coast state beaches c/o Half Moon Bay State Beach, (650) 726-8819; www.parks.ca.gov; Pigeon Point Light Station, (650) 879-2120;
HOW TO GET THERE
From San Francisco/north Peninsula: Take Interstate 280 to Daly City and the exit for Highway 1/Pacifica. Take that exit and drive south 20 miles to Half Moon Bay and the junction with Highway 92. Continue straight (south) a short distance to Kelly Avenue (lighted intersection) and set your travel odometer to zero. From there, San Gregorio State Beach is 13 miles, Pomponio is 15 miles, Pescadero is 17.6 miles, Bean Hollow 20.9 miles and Pigeon Point Light Station 24.4 miles.
From East Bay/south Peninsula: Drive to San Mateo, then take Highway 92 west and drive over Crystal Springs Reservoir and continue 8 miles to Half Moon Bay and Highway 1. Turn left on 1 and drive a short distance to Kelly Avenue (lighted intersection) and set your odometer to zero. Distances are as above.