01
Tidepools and cypress cliffs
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve & Bluff Trail
Moss Beach Shoreline • Family-Friendly Coastal Preserve • Best For Gentle Exploring
Easy seaside paths link tidepools, cypress groves, and wide-open ocean views just a few minutes from Moss Beach neighborhoods.
Start on the bluffs for a relaxed stroll under wind-shaped Monterey cypress, then drop down at low tide to poke around the famous tidepools. The trails are mostly flat and short, making this an easy choice with kids or visiting relatives. Go early on weekend mornings for quieter paths and better parking.
02
Big views for minimal effort
Pillar Point Bluff & Jean Lauer Trail
South Of Moss Beach Near Princeton Harbor • Wide Blufftop Path • Sunset And Dog-Walk Favorite
A gently rolling dirt path traces the cliffs above Mavericks and Half Moon Bay, with big-sky views and room to spread out.
The Jean Lauer Trail is wide, mostly level, and ideal if you want coastal scenery without a serious climb. You get sweeping looks at the harbor, Mavericks surf break, and the long crescent of Half Moon Bay with just a few mild hills. It’s especially good in the late afternoon when the light softens over the water.
03
Serious climb, serious payoff
Montara Mountain (North Peak)
Montara And Mcnee Ranch State Park • Steep Fire-Road And Singletrack Climb • Best Workout With A Payoff
A sustained uphill hike leads to one of the best viewpoints on the San Mateo Coast, with ocean, ridgeline, and city vistas on clearer days.
Whether you start from Montara, Gray Whale Cove, or San Pedro Valley, Montara Mountain is the local go-to when you want a real climb. The lower sections wind through coastal scrub and eucalyptus, then open up to expansive views as you gain the ridge. Pack layers: it can be foggy and windy on top even when it’s calm down by the water.
04
Highway turned view trail
Devil's Slide Trail
Between Pacifica And Montara • Paved Cliffside Multi-Use Path • Best For Strollers And Casual Walkers
This repurposed stretch of old Highway 1 is now a wide, paved cliff walk with guardrails, viewpoints, and non-stop ocean drama.
Devil’s Slide is ideal when you want big scenery with almost no route-finding or rough terrain. The grade is gentle, benches are frequent, and the pavement makes it accessible for strollers and less-seasoned walkers. On clear days you can spot seabirds and whales from the many overlooks, so bring binoculars if you have them.
05
Rugged coastal headland
Pedro Point Headlands
Pacifica Headlands Above Highway 1 • Rugged Network Of Coastal Trails • Best For A Quieter Coastal Ramble
Short but steeper dirt paths climb through brushy slopes to hidden viewpoints looking back toward Devil’s Slide and south to Montara.
Pedro Point Headlands feels a bit wilder than the paved trail next door, with narrow paths, informal junctions, and a mix of forested and open stretches. Local hikers come here for a short workout and wide views without much crowding. Expect some mud after winter storms and wear shoes you don’t mind getting dusty when it’s dry.