A 1.5-mile loop offers sweeping views and sandy feet
Even if you visit San Gregorio State Beach often, its new 238-acre northern addition, San Gregorio Ranch, is a must-see. I stopped by on a cloudy weekday afternoon and found only a few other visitors, while the main San Gregorio Beach lot was nearly full.
Getting there
Heading south from Half Moon Bay, watch closely for the entrance. For now it’s marked only by a couple of A-frame signs beside the highway, and because the road descends here, it’s easy to drive right past. If there’s traffic behind you, it’s safer to continue to the Highway 84 intersection, turn around, and approach the entrance on the uphill side.
Once you turn in, you’ll see the familiar brown and yellow State Park sign. A quarter-mile dirt road leads past a pretty little pond (stay right) to the entrance kiosk. Beyond the kiosk there are two places to park: a crushed-rock lot near the kiosk and an unimproved dirt lot closer to the trail.
The loop
I parked in the dirt lot, which sits beside several brand-new picnic tables with sweeping ocean views. The beach access is here, down a path of about 50 stairs to a wide-open beach. You can head north to explore uncrowded stretches of sand, but I went south to make a short loop.
After roughly a half-mile walk, I reached the main San Gregorio Beach, a great place to explore the many driftwood structures or build your own. From there, walk toward the parking area to find paths up to the blufftop.
Along the bluff edge, a steep, unimproved trail leads to an overlook. Continue past it into a wooded area, where the path weaves through a few trees and past an old fence left over from the previous owners, then crosses a meadow and meets the dirt entrance road. Follow the gravel road north to close the loop.
Facilities and dogs
New portable restrooms are at the parking area. Dogs on leash are allowed on the gravel road and in the parking area, but not on the beach.
Final thoughts
This wonderful addition to our local parks nearly doubles the size of San Gregorio State Beach. We invite you to go explore it! Learn more about the ranch and its acquisition from POST.
– Bill Murray, Coastside State Parks Association Board Member
