San Gregorio State Beach

I’m no beach expert — I don’t surf or waterski, and my swimming is very limited due to vertigo — but I have always loved this beach. I used to bring my telescope here and set it up in the parking lot for easier leveling. The seeing from here is fantastic — one of the best easy-​short-​drive-​out-​of-​town-​light-​from-​the-​city-​blocked I know of in the US. You’re blocked from the City, the Peninsula, and anything that might glimmer from the South Bay. A fifteen to eighteen minute drive from San Mateo. I often found myself there after closing time, and occasionally a cop would drive up and say «Hello» politely and tell me, «Half an hour more, OK?» so that they wouldn’t have to come back if their route wouldn’t ordinarily bring them back. I guess that telescope nerds look really harmless to cops. Oddly enough, the same isn’t true of parents. Lots of times, parents were leaving with their kids and the kids were dying to see the telescope and look through it, and their parents literally dragged them off as if I were a registered sex offender. I’m sure the video games and porn the kids were going home to watch were much more edifying than astronomy.
I sold my scope a couple of years ago when my health made it difficult for me to tote around. Now that I have returned to San Mateo to live, I think about getting a new one, and heading to San Gregorio. Afternoon in Pesacadero, lunch at Duarte’s (take home a pie), up to HMB for a wander and to visit Gallery M for the wonderful wood work, happy hour at the Ritz and the bagpiper at sundown, and then a light dinner and then to the beach with the telescope — now THAT’S my idea of a day on the coast that cannot be beat.

We just couldn’t drive past this beach on our way down Hwy 1. Stopped here to watch the beautiful sunset. It’s got lots of parking and paths leading up the hill and down to the beach. Definitely a place for a solitary or romantic outing…

This was the first beach I stopped at when exploring the beaches along highway 1 many years ago. It’s know as a driftwood sanctuary because of all of the driftwood that comes ashore on the beach. While I’ve seen more beach goers on this beach than the others along this stretch it’s never been overwhelming numbers.
Many people collect the driftwood and build small structures on the beach while some take some real time and build structures groups groups with seating. It’s an awesome beach with nice cliffs providing for a backgrop from the Ocean. There is one hill/​cliff that you can climb and get some great aerial views of the beach on both sides and the cliffs. The tide is always in farther on this beach and the waves like many others along this coast are strong and unpredictable. Watch out for sneaker waves on these beaches at all times.
This is always my first stop when coming to relax in the area because I enjoy climbing the hill then looking down on an awesome creation. The views here are pretty dramatic and like many of the other beaches arent crowded. The sounds of the Ocean crashing along with the always temperate climate make this a great place to stop.

It was super nice out, all the other well-​known beaches were going to be packed and my friend randomly chose this one for us to go to and I was down because I was craving to go to the beach.
The kicker is that you have to swim across this small lake/​lagoon/​pond to get to the actual beach… I was really hesitant since I didn’t want to get wet and just really wanted to lie on the beach and read my book. Interestingly enough, some people had built a «raft» out of driftwood and there were really nice people pushing the raft back and forth so people can get the actual beach. I was still hesitant, but we drove all this way and I really wanted to hang on the beach so we waited our turn and got floated across. Looking back, it’s really funny how there is no access to the beach unless you cross the water.
The beach itself was okay. The sand was coarse and there was a lot of driftwood and even some «shelters» that some people built out of it which was cool. The beach wasn’t crowded which was nice and it felt too to just chill in the sun.
Overall, I would not come back because I don’t want to swim across, and we were lucky that there were nice enough people to build rafts that day to take us over. I had fun at the beach with my friends though.
Protip: Park across the street on the side of the street to save yourself $ 8 at the parking lot. Just be careful of the on coming traffic!

Came here over the Labor Day weekend with my family. Parked and paid and then tried to make our way down to the beach. Discovered that the «lagoon» cut off the path to get to the real beach (the one that meets the ocean), leaving most of the folks with a dirty little sand bar that touches just the lagoon. The main beach looked really nice, but you couldn’t get to it by walking from the San Gregorio main entrance, unless you wanted to carry all of your stuff across the lagoon. We just went down to Pomponio and had a great time.

Beach is great – once you get there. Sarah is right: «you’ll have to swim across the lagoon to access the beach» (or brave the rickety rope up a sheer cliff). We braved the murky water to do so, but it smells a bit «fowl» if you know what I mean. Once you’re on the sand, you’ve practically got the huge, white sand beach to yourself to explore miles in either direction. Great beach coming. As always at Northern California beaches, take care with rip currents.

Came here on a whim trying to find a less crowded beach than Half Moon Bay or El Granada. For a sunny Sunday afternoon in June the lot was almost empty. I guess the $ 8 parking fee will deter some but I wasn’t too picky.
The ranger at the gate is good about notifying you that you’ll have to swim across the lagoon to access the beach. No thanks — that water was green and murky. Still a good view to be had from the bluff right off the parking lot.
The ride along Highway 1 was spectacular along this stretch to Pescadero, where your $ 8 fee will get you into another (and all) state beaches for the day. This beach is best for a quick stop to stretch your legs, take in the view, snap a few pics then be on your way.

It is $ 8 for a one-​day parking pass that is good at all the state beaches. I have no problem chipping in some cash money to support our beaches.
I definitely recommend this spot for a nice little hike that results in incredible views. Depending on the time of day, getting down to the water may require traversing a questionable body of tide water. I recommend layering up, because it can be quite chilly on a cool and breezy day.
Bathrooms and a friendly ranger are nice additions.

I’ve been hiting this beach for years. Last time I was here I was appalled at how dirty it was. People have done a great job at trashing this place. It’s sad.
The beach is great.
The marsh is pretty.
There is a bathroom.
Parking is $ 8.
This place has a lot to explore. Because it’s a direct drive from highway 84 lots of people make it a destination. Large groups meet up and bbq here. It’s a very family friendly spot. There are picnic tables with bbq grills next to the parking lot. The bathrooms are a plus.

This place was disgusting! So much driftwood EVERYWHERE and there was hardly any «sandy beach» area. I’d never go back!

This beach location has bathrooms, picnic tables and parking costs $ 8.
Walk past the bluffs and down the narrow path to the beach or walk up the bluffs to get a stellar view.
The beach is pretty long. No seashells in sight, even though we were there in December and had the entire place to ourselves.
Gorgeous, beautiful beach!

Kinda hard to rate a beach. but I felt I had to rate this one since it is quite unique and slightly off the beaten path.
Beautiful overhanging bluffs hide the mini caves. i did not venture into them, but some of them go pretty far back.
The sand stretches on forever and there is a lot of space if you are searching for solitude. Beautiful birds and funky wood structures dot the beach and there are plenty of little coves to hide from the wind. Just a gorgeous beach from any vantage point.

Hubby had a new camera, so we headed to the coast to snap some pics, eat, shop in Half Moon Bay, and especially beat the heat in the inland Bay Area.
I have been to this beach many, many times. They charge $ 8 now, and I usually don’t mind helping the parks but this seemed like a bit much, seeing as there are free beaches right down the road. Don’t know why we didn’t just keep driving…
Great bluffs to shoot from. Enormous slime pool (must be because of the drought) had to be crossed to access beach. I was so grossed out, hubby was fascinated. I can not even look at the pictures he took…;-(
I would definitely move to a free beach down the road next time.

Stopped by here yesterday and was devastated to see the condition of this beach. The beach itself is beautiful and a great place to hang out… but please bring a garbage bag with you if you decide to check it out. There was trash all over the parking lot and the beach yesterday :-(The lagoon (which is currently contaminated & also full of garbage) is blocking beach access so you’ll need to navigate an odd pathway to get down to the beach. It really wasn’t bad, but if you have limited mobility it might get tricky.

Another favorite of mine. Around a 15 mt drive from Half Moon Bay and you get to this beautiful beach with driftwood and amazing views. Bring some food, drinks, a comfy chair and enjoy the beach. It is food for your soul.

Beautiful beach to go to. I had fun like a kid playing with tbe waves. Definitely we will go back to this place hopefully to also do some hiking.

It was very windy, cold, and no seashells in sight:(There is an $ 8 fee to park. You can BBQ here and there are picnic tables. The bathrooms are horrible. Don’t use them. Go to the bathroom in town before getting here. I saw a lot of people brought tents and stuff to shield themselves from the wind. Its about 10 miles south (I think from Half Moon Bay).

New favorite beach! Was just here yesterday with some local friends and miss it already. Beautiful soft sand beach with dunes to the right and bridge to the left, complete with creek underneath and a tunnel worn into the rock nearby. Beach was mostly deserted even in the early afternoon of a weekday, and despite having to pay for parking we had a good time.
Bathroom facilities available in parking lot, bring a bottle of wine and a blanket and hang out for a few hours. Gorgeous day was slightly overcast and the water was calm– an absolutely perfect day!

Lovely little beach not too far outside the city, so it’s nice for a day trip. Lots of picnic tables, barbecues. And there’s restrooms! There’s a good sized parking lot and as many have mentioned, there’s an $ 8 fee but I don’t mind since the money is going to state parks. Plus, the parking pass is good all day for all state beaches.
There’s a couple of cool caves which makes this beach unique IMO. I docked one star because as you walk down to the beach there’s a sign that warns not to swim in the outlet of the creek (big green stagnant pool… you can’t miss it) that runs to the beach because the water is contaminated :/​There were a few kids playing at the edge of it. That’s disconcerting…
I docked another star because there was soooo much drift wood, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it doesn’t exactly make for the most picturesque setting.
Oh, and there’s no dogs allowed. Have you seen a happy dog on the beach? It makes my heart smile!
All in all, it’s a nice place, but there are many beaches that compare or surpass this particular beach in this area.

** this review is for the clothing optional area next door to the main beach. **
for most people, you’ll enter the large lot entrance with paved parking surfaces and bbq pits where most families with the dogs and kids stroll down to the waters edge to make a day of it.
if you’re an adventurist like me that likes to get off the grid, work on an even tan, and find more privacy… then just over the ridge is a clothing-​optional portion of the beach, to find it–
heading south of half moon bay, the beach is about a mile up highway 1. as you’re driving look for a dirt road past the big white gate with the toll road sign. go a few hundred feet and turn left on the dirt road and head past a grassy field to the parking lot. last visit fees were about $ 8 per car. once you pay the guy and park your ride, take the long path to the sand and everything north of the trail’s end is clothing optional.
what you’ll find is a slice of heaven. almost two miles worth of soft sand and tide pools. lots of natural beauty to behold and plenty of spots to make your own away from «crowds». one of my peeves with clothing optional beaches is that i don’t really want to strip down with someone a towel length away.
there’s a mix of people here and variety of couples. i’ve been to other beaches of the same theme and have seen some creepy men trying to play with their…(you get the idea) but have never encountered that here. the only people you’ll find up on the hill trying to lurk are those that will hike up from the state beach side, and i myself have made this hike before and if you walk that far up, you should get to at least see some nakedness.
bring your sunscreen, tanning oil (if you’re like me), snacks, partner, book, or swimsuit (if you’re inhibited ;) and make a day of it. this beach is beautiful!