Ano Nuevo State Reserve --
New Year's Creek Road, off Hwy 1
Pescadero, CA 650-879-0227
This
4,000 acre Reserve is a major gathering area for northern
elephant seals, which may be seen year-around. The males battle
for mates on the beaches. The females give birth to their young
on the dunes.
Big Basin Redwoods
State Park --
Rancho Del Oso, Hwy 1
831-338-8860
Located 25 miles south of Half Moon Bay on Hwy. 1, the park has miles of trails, which serves hikers and equestrians, links Big Basin
to Castle Rock State Park and the eastern reaches of the Santa Cruz range.
Maps
Bird Watching -- Half Moon
Bay and the surrounding areas are ideal for attracting birds and
those who watch them. The best bird watching times are
late fall and early spring.
Coastside Trail -- Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay State Beach
95 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay, CA (650) 726-8819
The Half Moon Bay
Coastside Trail runs along the eastern boundary of the four Half
Moon Bay area beaches providing close to three miles of
multi-use trails to walk, jog or ride bikes. The trail continues
north to Pillar Point Harbor.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach
PO BOX 451, Moss Beach, CA (650) 728-3584
County Parks Reservation line (650) 363-4021
The Reserve is set aside to protect this complex but fragile
community for us and future generations. Within the reserve,
most marine life is protected. The Reserve is popular with
school and community groups for its educational value.
Directions: Take
California Ave. off of Hwy 1 in Moss Beach.
Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail
Half Moon Bay State Beach
95 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay, CA (650) 726-8819
The Half Moon Bay
Coastside Trail runs along the eastern boundary of the four Half
Moon Bay area beaches providing close to three miles of
multi-use trails to walk, jog or ride bikes. The trail continues
north to Pillar Point Harbor.
Half Moon
Bay Beaches and Parks -- Half Moon Bay is home to some
wonderful parks, beaches, and preserves. Click on the link
for a complete list and descriptions.
Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve
Highway 1 & Pescadero Rd., Pescadero, CA 650-879-2170
Across the highway from the Pescadero State Beach is the
Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, a popular spot for bird
watchers and other naturalists. The Reserve is a refuge for blue
heron, kites, deer, raccoons, foxes and skunks.
Directions: The
beach is located 14.5 miles south of Half Moon Bay on Highway
One.
Purissima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
Half Moon Bay, CA (650) 949-5500
The 3,120-acre preserve
is located on the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains
overlooking Half Moon Bay. The preserve was established with a
gift of $2 million from the Save-the-Redwoods League.
The centerpiece of the
Preserve is Purisima Creek Canyon, with its towering redwoods,
creek, ferns, berries, and wildflowers. Coastal scrub, tanoak,
madrone, and Douglas fir border the canyon. The coast and Half
Moon Bay are visible from the northern part of the preserve.
Whale Watching -- From
December through May, gray whales migrate from the Arctic to
their Baja California and back. This annual event can be watched
just a few miles off California’s coast.
For more information, please visit the Oceanic Society's Web
site at
www.oceanic-society.org/pages/wwb.html
Boating excursions depart from Pillar Point Harbor, 4 miles
north of Half Moon Bay.
THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO
CHANGES AND POSSIBLE INACCURACIES. CHECK DIRECTLY
WITH THE CAMPGROUND OPERATORS FOR THE LATEST, MOST ACCURATE
INFORMATION.
NOTE: Some of the content for the park
overviews were generously provided by California State Parks.
The State retains all copyrights over their material.
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information and overviews are copyrighted by their respective
operators / Web site owners.
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