01
Most dramatic coastline
Mavericks Beach
Pillar Point, Just West Of Princeton-By-The-Sea • Raw, Exposed Big-Wave Vantage Point • Best For Stormy-Day Drama
A small pocket of sand with outsized reputation, Mavericks Beach offers shore-level access to one of the world’s most famous big-wave surf zones.
Walk the harbor-side trail out toward Pillar Point and you’ll end at Mavericks Beach, where you can watch the open-ocean swells marching in and breaking far offshore. On big days in winter, spectators line the bluff and jetty to glimpse surfers tackling waves the size of buildings. It’s not a casual swimming beach, but it is unmatched for raw coastal energy and a sense of how powerful this coastline can be.
02
Best quick stop from Highway 1
Surfers Beach
Highway 1 Shoreline Opposite El Granada • Compact Roadside Surf Beach • Great For An Easy Surf Check
Just across from El Granada, Surfers Beach is a narrow but lively stretch of sand where locals paddle out beside the harbor jetty.
Pull off Highway 1 and you’re practically on the sand at Surfers Beach, with a front-row view of the break and the Pillar Point Harbor entrance. It’s a popular spot for everyday surf sessions, casual beach walks, and watching the sunset without committing to a long outing. Expect limited sand at higher tides and bring layers—the wind off the water can be brisk even on bright days.
03
Best long sandy walk
Dunes Beach
Northern Half Moon Bay State Beach • Wide, Dune-Backed State Beach • Ideal For Long Strolls And Picnics
Dunes Beach delivers a broad sweep of sand backed by low dunes and bluffs, perfect for long walks with big-sky ocean views.
A short drive south from Princeton brings you to Dunes Beach, where the coast opens into a wide, gently curving strand that feels quieter than the main townfront. The trail from the parking area drops down through the dunes to a beach that seems to run for miles, especially at low tide. Pack a picnic, plan on walking, and be ready for cool water and occasional strong surf rather than casual swimming.
04
Best for camping by the ocean
Francis Beach
Southern Half Moon Bay State Beach At Kelly Avenue • Family-Friendly State Beach With Campground • Top Pick For Overnights And Meetups
At the end of Kelly Avenue, Francis Beach combines a broad sandy shoreline with a blufftop campground and paved coastal trail.
Francis Beach is where many visitors set up a base for the weekend, thanks to its oceanfront campsites and easy access from town. The beach itself is roomy enough for kite flying, tide-line exploring, and lazy afternoons parked in a beach chair. A paved multi-use trail runs along the bluff, making it easy to stroll or bike north along the coast while keeping the ocean in view the whole way.
05
Best short scenic drive
Montara State Beach
Cliff-Backed Coast North Of Princeton Toward Montara • Rugged, Photogenic State Beach • Perfect For Big Views And Photo Stops
A few minutes north of Princeton, Montara State Beach offers a classic Highway 1 scene with cliffs, wide sand, and dramatic Pacific swells.
Driving north toward Montara, you’ll spot this broad beach tucked below golden bluffs with Montara Mountain rising just inland. It’s the kind of place where people linger in the parking pullouts simply to watch the waves and shifting light on the cliffs. Head down to the sand for a bracing walk, but keep an eye on the tide and surf—this stretch is better suited to exploring and photography than casual swimming.