Moss Beach is a small town on the Pacific Coast on the Peninsula south of San Francisco.

Understand

Like much of the area, Moss Beach is a foggy area with oceanside cliffs and lots of cypress trees. Much of the area is residential, with a population of approximately 3,100 (2010).

Get in

Visitors to Moss Beach will arrive on Highway One, either coming south from Pacifica or north from Half Moon Bay.

See

Anemone in a tide pool

• 1 Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (park at the end of California Ave), ☏ +1 650-728-3584. Park opens at 8AM, closing time varies by season. The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a unit of the San Mateo County Parks famous for its tide pools. The best time to visit is during low tide when rocks are exposed and visitors can expect to find everything from starfish to the occasional octopus. Seals are usually present on the beach as well. Parking is limited and can be tough to find on weekends. Docent tours are available. No admission charge.  
• 2 Montara State Beach (Highway 1 at 2nd Street), ☏ +1 650 726-8819. One of the more popular beaches in Half Moon bay due to easy access and low hills, the beach provides opportunity for swimming, exploration of tide pools and surf fishing. There is also a lighthouse at Point Montara that has been converted to a bed and breakfast.  

Eat

• 1 Moss Beach Distillery, 140 Beach Way, ☏ +1-650-728-5595. Famous for "the Blue Lady", a ghost rumored to haunt the premises, the Moss Beach distillery offers a full menu, Sunday brunch, drinks, and a tremendous ocean view with comfortable fire pits. Happy hour M-F 5-7PM offers half-priced drinks and a discounted food menu.  

Sleep

• 1 Seal Cove Inn, 221 Cypress Ave, ☏ +1-650-728-4114, toll-free: +1-800-995-9987, info@sealcoveinn.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Located a few hundred feet from the ocean (but without ocean views), and surrounded by gardens and a eucalyptus grove, this European-styled inn has just ten rooms, each equipped with fireplace. It's on the pricey side, although if same-day or next-day days may be available to those who call. In addition to the impressive grounds, a gourmet breakfast is included (prix fixe menu includes items such as homemade scones and poached eggs), there is a daily wine reception, and the comfortable lobby offers a fireplace and view of the grounds. From $200. 

Stay healthy

Be careful to check for ticks after hiking in fields in the bay area. There is a high rate of lyme disease transmission in the Bay Area. If a bulls' eye rash develops at the tick bite site, immediately seek medical help and treatment with antibiotics.

Go next

• Half Moon Bay is the next town to the south, and features more lodging and restaurant options, but a less intimate feel than Moss Beach.
• Pacifica is the next town to the north, and has grocery stores, a bowling alley, and the chain restaurants necessary to satisfy those who need such things. The beach in Pacifica is also a good one, when the fog burns off.

Routes through Moss Beach

San Francisco ← Pacifica ←

N  S

→ Half Moon Bay → Santa Cruz