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Home , Bean Hollow State Beach, Coast, Montara State Beach, Pacifica State Beach, Pescadero State Beach, Pomponio State Beach

Our Mission The mission of State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and San Mateo ’s San Mateo Coast education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological state are dotted diversity, protecting its most valued natural and State Beaches cultural resources, and creating opportunities along 40 miles of steep for high-quality outdoor recreation. bluffs, sandy beaches, and scenic wonders. Stroll the shoreline,

California State Parks supports equal access. have a picnic, gaze into Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park office at the pools, and (650) 726-8819. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected]. thrill at the roaring surf.

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service

www.parks.ca.gov

San Mateo Coast State Beaches Highway 1, Pacifica to Pescadero, CA Parks Sector Office: 95 Kelly Avenue Half Moon , CA 94019 (650) 726-8819

On the cover: Pomponio State © 2016 California State Parks he San Mateo coast encompasses a treasure trove of exquisite on the 40-mile stretch from Pacifica to the northern boundary of TSanta Cruz County. The wild backcountry and deep canyons of the Santa Cruz help protect the coast and preserve its natural beauty for millions of visitors each year. The coastline’s rich mosaic includes prehistoric fossils, a 19th-century lighthouse, historic ranch structures, and other features reflecting human uses of both terrestrial and marine environments, as well as stunning natural views.

AREA HISTORy Montara area, the Cotegen of Half Moon food from many Native Americans in villages Native Americans first settled along the Bay, the Oljon of San Gregorio, and the along the way. California coast during the end of the Great Quiroste of the Pescadero, Butano, and Año When hunters from the expedition climbed Ice Age, about 14,000 years ago. Over the Nuevo regions. Together, these and some Sweeney Ridge above present-day Pacifica, millennia, they managed the productivity of 45 additional tribes located throughout the they became the first Spaniards to see San the plants and animals that they harvested larger and areas Francisco Bay. Campsites used by Portolá’s for food and material by systematically have come to be called the Ohlone people. explorers at Pacifica, Bean Hollow, and San burning selected areas, pruning plants, and Today, Ohlone still honor and practice Gregorio are now state historic landmarks. hand-tending bulb and root gardens. By ancient cultural traditions. Several Spanish missions had cattle doing so, they improved the browsing and Soldier and explorer Juan Rodriguez ranches in the 1780s; later, wheat, corn, and foraging vegetation that was important to the Cabrillo sailed his ship north along the beans were planted as income crops. deer, elk, antelope, bear, rabbit, and other coastline in 1542. The names that he and After the Mexican revolution and species that the indigenous people hunted later Spanish maritime explorers gave to independence in 1822, the new Mexican and trapped. points along the coast are still in use today. government granted large coastal properties Before the arrival of Europeans, several The first Spanish overland expedition to to just a few citizens. These included Rancho individual tribes controlled territories explore Upper California took place in 1769 Butano, Rancho San Gregorio, and Rancho throughout the San Mateo coast and adjacent under the command of Gaspar de Portolá. de Tierra, among others. mountains — including the Chiguan of today’s Portolá expedition members reported that With the advent of the California gold rush as they traveled north along the San Mateo and subsequent statehood in 1850, droves of coast from Baja California, they were given settlers flocked here. Row crop farms gained momentum when Portuguese and Italian vegetable farmers arrived in the 1870s. Today,

Half Moon Bay State Beach many crops are still grown Low host rocky beaches also attract whimbrels, in the area, including cut a coastal strand sanderlings, marbled godwits, willets, black flowers, artichokes, and community, including oystercatchers, and various hunting for brussels sprouts. beach bur, yellow intertidal invertebrates.

During the 19th and Lin Photo courtesy Tammy verbena, prostrate Geology early 20th centuries, coyote brush, yarrow, The Seal -San Gregorio fault—a major the great redwood and non-native iceplant. branch of the —is the of San Mateo San Francisco garter snake Significant species dominant geologic feature in this area. A County were extensively diversity can be found; 100,000-year-old broad marine terrace east logged. Resort hotels flourished, and on many of these parks support sensitive, of the fault warped downward over time the coastside, tourists reported that both threatened, or endangered species, between Montara and Miramontes Point, salmon fishing and upland game hunting including the San Francisco garter snake and giving rise to the crescent shape of Half were outstanding. California red-legged frog. Moon Bay. NATuRAL HISTORy Birds nest in the coastal scrub along these Rocks as old as 70 to 150 million years, Flora and Fauna beaches, with wrentits and song sparrows exposed in the cliffs at Gray Whale Cove, The main coastal attractions are the among them. Residents include mallards, once formed the southern extension of the sandy beaches at the base of moderately black phoebes, American coots, warblers, . Over the past 30 million years, high bluffs. Native plant communities and hawks. Migrating cinnamon teal and these rocks have been moved northward include riparian, coastal dunes, coastal buffleheads pause on their travels. about 350 miles along the San Andreas fault. bluff scrub, coastal , and both The riparian/marsh habitat is home to In the sea cliffs between Seal Cove freshwater and saltwater marsh. Non-native , opossums, shrews, western pond and Pescadero, marine sandstones from vegetation includes eucalyptus groves and turtles, and Pacific tree frogs. the Purisima Formation (1½ to 5 million . Willows and alders line most of Broad-handed moles, badgers, and years old) are exposed, while in the cliffs the coastal creeks. coyotes are found in the area. Sandy and between Pescadero and Pigeon Point, pebbly sandstones and mudstones from the 70-million-year-old Pigeon Point Formation are visible. Tafoni, small honeycomb-like pits, and the well-rounded on Beach are the result of . The seacliffs are eroding due to surf action and can collapse.

Use caution on edges. Many of these beaches can be completely flooded during high , trapping unwary visitors.

Gray Whale Cove State Beach THE BEACHES Linda Mar Beach’s wide, day-use-only crescent is operated by the City of Pacifica. Parking fees apply, and California State Parks passes are not accepted. Gray Whale Cove State Beach Boutell Photo courtesy Avis The 800-foot beach (adjacent to Devil’s Slide) is reached via a steep stairway. Gray whales migrate along the coast from December to January and March to May. /McNee Ranch Montara State Beach is a popular spot for sunbathing, strolling, nature study, and picnicking. Two beach access points from the Burleigh H. Murray Ranch bank barn bluff area lead to the beach. Inland, the 690-acre McNee Ranch (on Half Moon Bay State Beach Burleigh H. Murray Ranch Montara ) encompasses coastal Miles of fine sand include narrow beaches A 1.4-mile trail starts at the park entrance mountain habitat with sweeping coastal with clear, compelling views. From north off Higgins-Purisima Road and extends vistas. The ranch’s two-mile Pedro Mountain to south, the Roosevelt, Dunes, Venice, east across bridged streams to the Mills Trail connects to trails leading to Montara and Francis Beaches lure visitors. A paved Barn, listed in the National Register of Beach and Gray Whale Cove. recreational trail retraces the route of the Historic Places. Dogs are allowed on Montara Beach and historic Railroad. This dairy barn, called a “bank McNee Ranch only when leashed. Parking lots are near the beaches. barn” since it is built into a hillside, Francis Beach has day-use picnic tables, is California’s only known example of barbecues, showers, and family tent or RV an English-style bank barn. No fires or campsites. Sweetwood Group Camp holds smoking are allowed in this park. Bring up to 50 people in a tents-only site. your own drinking water. Horses may use An equestrian trail extends between the gravel road. Venice Beach and Francis Beach. Horses Cowell Ranch can be rented from a private stable A half-mile walk into the park takes hikers off Highway 1. Horses are restricted to past farmland to a spot overlooking the the designated horse trail; they are not sea, and then to a sandy beach with rocky permitted on state beaches. outcrops, high cliffs, and seal For camping reservations, call viewing opportunities. (800) 444-7275 or visit www.parks.ca.gov. Gray whale

Photo courtesy Merrill Gosho, NOAA / Colorful stones from an offshore gravel Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve bed dating from the Pleistocene era wash Seventeen miles south of Half Moon in to Pebble Beach: jade, chert, agate, Bay, Pescadero State Beach has two jasper, and moonstone may be found miles of beach, dunes, and rugged among them. Collecting is not permitted. outcrops. From the blufftop parking For more information about all of lot north of the Pescadero Road / these state beaches and parks, visit Highway 1 intersection, stunning views www.parks.ca.gov or call the San Mateo await visitors. Coast Sector Office at (650) 726-8819. The 500-acre Pescadero EVENTS, WEddINGS, PHOTOGRAPHy Marsh Natural Preserve hosts Permits must be obtained prior to all resident bird species and beach events and weddings. For permit protects a vital stopping information, call the San Mateo Coast point for migratory species Sector Office at (650) 726-8815. along the Pacific Flyway. Right: Starburst anemone Photography for profit on state Bean Hollow State Beach / property requires advance permission. In 1987 the property was Pebble Beach For commercial still and video film- saved from development by the These day-use beaches have a permit information, visit the State’s Film Open Space Trust (POST), self-guided nature trail. Dogs on leash are Commission website at which maintains an adjoining 3.6 miles of allowed here. Do not disturb the http: // film.ca.gov / Permits.htm. hike / bike trails to the south. creatures — anemones, crabs, sea urchins, and other marine inhabitants. San Gregorio State Beach Site of the Portolá Expedition campsite in October 1769 — now a state historical landmark — San Gregorio State Beach’s mile- long, narrow beach sits at the mouth of . Pomponio State Beach, named for a Native California Indian who rebelled against the missions, has high sandstone bluffs — some as high as 190 feet. Day-use amenities at Pomponio and San Gregorio Beaches include barbecues, picnic Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve tables, and vault toilets. western snowy plovers

This small shorebird nests on open, sandy beaches. Plovers rely on stealth and their sand-blended coloring to escape detection from people and predators. If parents sense any threat, they may run or take flight— wasting precious energy reserves and leaving eggs and chicks exposed to predators and the elements. To help these threatened birds survive, avoid posted sensitive areas.

Marine Protected Areas Offshore, the Montara State Marine PLEASE REMEMBER Reserve and the Pillar Point State Marine • The surf is very hazardous due to large These parks receive support in Conservation Area extend south from sneaker , recurring rip currents, part through three nonprofit Montara. Marine protected areas help and bitterly cold water. Never turn your cooperating associations: conserve ocean wildlife and . back on the ocean. Coastside State Parks Association For boundaries and more information, see • use extreme caution: lifeguards patrol www.coastsidestateparks.org the length of the coast, but they are not https: // www.wildlife.ca.gov / Conservation / Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Marine / MPAs. stationed at each beach. www.thatsmypark.org • All natural and cultural features are ACCESSIBLE FEATuRES protected by law and may not be The Waddell Creek Association Half Moon Bay SB — Camping: Francis Beach disturbed or removed. www.ranchodeloso.org Campground has accessible campsites • Except for trained service animals, dogs and restrooms. A beach wheelchair may be are not permitted on most state beaches. checked out. Sweetwood Group Camp has accessible parking and a vault toilet. Accessibility in state parks is continually improving. For updates, visit the website at http://access.parks.ca.gov. 1 01 S P S

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