plants and animals. and plants the milder wave action of summer months summer of action wave milder the

diverse system of mountains, canyons and canyons mountains, of system diverse hemlock has affected the survival of native of survival the affected has hemlock storms tend to carry the sand out to sea, but sea, to out sand the carry to tend storms

nearly constant erosion have created a created have erosion constant nearly ivy, New Zealand spinach and poison and spinach Zealand New ivy, according to the season. In winter, wind and wind winter, In season. the to according

line. Over the years geologic movement and movement geologic years the Over line. non-native species such as sea fig, cape fig, sea as such species non-native Inland, sand dunes change constantly change dunes sand Inland,

beaches with a two-mile crescent of shore- of crescent two-mile a with beaches coast was pristine. The introduction of introduction The pristine. was coast f chert, jasper chert, , hydrolite and onyx) prominent. onyx) and hydrolite ,

Kelly Avenue, consists of four smaller four of consists Avenue, Kelly are not as diverse as they were when this when were they as diverse as not are on

(agate, quartz of forms various with here,

Beach, one-half-mile west of Highway One on One Highway of west one-half-mile Beach, The plant communities of Half Moon Bay Moon Half of communities plant The Semiprecious stones are sometimes found sometimes are stones Semiprecious

Plants The rugged coastline of Half Moon Bay State Bay Moon Half of coastline rugged The . activity seismic of years of millions of actions

Natural History Natural is shows the uplifting, faulting and folding and faulting uplifting, the shows Joaquin Rivers. Joaquin

Francisco. Palo Colorado fault zones, the coastline the zones, fault Colorado Palo ment from the Sacramento and San and Sacramento the from ment

onto smaller boats headed north to San to north headed boats smaller onto San Andreas and Seal Cove-San Gregorio- Cove-San Seal and Andreas San beach sand are eroding bluffs and sedi- and bluffs eroding are sand beach

da, rumrunners to unload their illegal whiskey illegal their unload to rumrunners marine terraces. Located within the active the within Located terraces. marine brings it back. Primary sources of new of sources Primary back. it brings

Our Mission J Half Moon The mission of the California Department of Parks and Recreation is to provide for the so Bay health, inspiration and education of the ge people of California by helping to preserve th the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, ea State Beach protecting its most valued natural and dr cultural resources, and creating opportunities ce for high-quality outdoor recreation. re early four miles we N vi be from north to south, Po ef the sweeping views th California State Parks does not discriminate Be against individuals with disabilities. Prior to of Half Moon Bay arrival, visitors with disabilities who need ty assistance should contact the park at the allow perfect wi phone number below. To receive this publica- th tion in an alternate format, write to the Com- wildlife watching. Sp munications Office at the following address. da by CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS da P. O. Box 942896 in Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 PA (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. Cu 711, TTY relay service By www.parks.ca.gov ha as m Half Moon Bay State Beach gr 95 Kelly Avenue te Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 co (650) 726-8819 m Cover Photo courtesy of Frank Balthis © 2005 California State Parks Printed on Recycled Paper

HMBBrochure PDFlayout 1

d Its remarkable diversity began during the during began diversity remarkable Its for the eagerly awaited ships of Canadian of ships awaited eagerly the for land productively without overexploiting without productively land

n Benito earned the nickname “Spanishtown.” nickname the earned Benito hidden coves and thick fog made it perfect it made fog thick and coves hidden The native people had managed the managed had people native The

li from Mexico and Chile to the area, San area, the to Chile and Mexico from ea’s ar This coast. the along speakeasies granted to Spanish settlers in the 1840s. the in settlers Spanish to granted

b When the gold rush brought immigrants brought rush gold the When (1920 to 1933) had caused a proliferation of proliferation a caused had 1933) to (1920 e County—wer Mateo San today’s of

K traditions. Before Highway One was built, Prohibition built, was One Highway Before areas. Former Ohlone lands—the nucleus lands—the Ohlone Former areas.

B guages and passing on their honored their on passing and guages Spanishtown. ished from disease or had fled to other to fled had or disease from ished

T native plants and are reviving their lan- their reviving are and plants native on an 1854 Coast Survey sketch of sketch Survey Coast 1854 an on - per had Ohlone the of percent 70 nearly

N Ohlone descendents continue the use of use the continue descendents Ohlone The first official mention of Half Moon Bay is Bay Moon Half of mention official first The introduction of European diseases. By 1810 By diseases. European of introduction

s today’ challenges, these of spite In Portugal, Scotland and the Pacific Islands. Pacific the and Scotland Portugal, their lands and grew rapidly with the with rapidly grew and lands their F

natural ecology. natural Italy, Germany, Ireland, China, England, China, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Ohlone way of life began with the loss of loss the with began life of way Ohlone o

it, but those who took it over changed its changed over it took who those but it, late 1800s, when groups arrived from Canada, from arrived groups when 1800s, late the mission system. The decline in the in decline The system. mission the ru

ust off Highway One in Half Moon According to the diary of Father Francisco Housing was simple and food was J Bay, four small beaches stretching Palou—biographer and successor of Father plentiful. Alongside trout- and salmon-rich south from Montara Mountain form the Junípero Serra—the native people were freshwaters, the Ohlone used willow gentle two-mile curve of fine, white sand friendly, offering the Spaniards food and branches as frames for their dome-shaped that is Half Moon Bay State Beach. To the guidance through the steep arroyos. dwellings, thatching them with dried tule, east the Santa Cruz Mountains frame a Also linguistically referred to as cattails or light brush. The ocean provided dramatic backdrop to this captivating north Coastanoans (a name bestowed by the an abundance of fish, shellfish and sea central coast region known to local mammals, and the inland residents as the “Coastside.” To the areas were rich in acorns, west the enduring Pacific rolls berries, roots, barks and vigorously across the broad, flat nuts. The people—skilled beach. The breakwaters of Pillar agriculturists—practiced Point to the north have a buffering cultivation, controlled effect on the surf, and the waters at burning, pruning and re- this end of Half Moon Bay State seeding in order to encour- Beach form a calm surf. age the growth of herbs, The Coastside weather pattern is medicinal plants and desir- typical of the north central coast, able food sources. These with cool morning fog and highs in methods of land manage- the mid-60s during the summer. ment also produced natural Spring and fall bring clear, crisp forage that would lure local days, while wind and rain—broken game animals. by an occasional bright, sunny The Ohlone hunted large day—rule the winter months. Dress- (deer, bears, elk and sea ing in layers is recommended. mammals) and small (rab- bits, squirrels, skunks and PARK HISTORY Bikers on the Coastside Trail near Dunes Beach various birds) game for food. Cultural History Spanish, meaning coast people), the Some Ohlone artifacts found at the park By the time Europeans arrived here, this area Ohlones’ ecologically rich territory extended have included tools of obsidian and other had been occupied for thousands of years by from the marine environment of today’s San sharp stones, artfully woven baskets, as many as 50 separate and politically autono- Francisco inland to the oak/grasslands of the jewelry, clothing and weaponry. What the mous native groups known as the Ohlone. Each western edge of the San Joaquin Valley and native people could not make or gather group had its own leader, customs and south to present-day Carmel. Today’s coast they obtained in trade with other native territory, though some smaller groups were Highway One and Highway 92 over the groups. connected by shared boundaries, intertribal mountains faithfully follow trails created by In the mid-1700s, Spanish missionaries marriage and similarities of language. the Ohlone. arrived and drew the native people into

6/28/05, 2:22 PM

d Its remarkable diversity began during the during began diversity remarkable Its for the eagerly awaited ships of Canadian of ships awaited eagerly the for land productively without overexploiting without productively land

n Benito earned the nickname “Spanishtown.” nickname the earned Benito hidden coves and thick fog made it perfect it made fog thick and coves hidden The native people had managed the managed had people native The

li from Mexico and Chile to the area, San area, the to Chile and Mexico from speakeasies along the coast. This ar This coast. the along speakeasies sea’ granted to Spanish settlers in the 1840s. the in settlers Spanish to granted

b When the gold rush brought immigrants brought rush gold the When (1920 to 1933) had caused a proliferation of proliferation a caused had 1933) to (1920 s San Mateo County—werof today’ County—werof Mateo San s e

K traditions. Before Highway One was built, Prohibition built, was One Highway Before areas. Former Ohlone lands—the nucleus lands—the Ohlone Former areas.

B guages and passing on their honored their on passing and guages Spanishtown. ished from disease or had fled to other to fled had or disease from ished

T native plants and are reviving their lan- their reviving are and plants native on an 1854 Coast Survey sketch of sketch Survey Coast 1854 an on nearly 70 percent of the Ohlone had per had Ohlone the of percent 70 nearly -

N Ohlone descendents continue the use of use the continue descendents Ohlone The first official mention of Half Moon Bay is Bay Moon Half of mention official first The introduction of European diseases. By 1810 By diseases. European of introduction

In spite of these challenges, today’ challenges, these of spite In s Portugal, Scotland and the Pacific Islands. Pacific the and Scotland Portugal, F their lands and grew rapidly with the with rapidly grew and lands their

.natural ecology .natural eland, China, England,, Ir, GermanyItaly Ir, England,, China, eland, o Ohlone way of life began with the loss of loss the with began life of way Ohlone

it, but those who took it over changed its changed over it took who those but it, late 1800s, when groups arrived from Canada, from arrived groups when 1800s, late ru the mission system. The decline in the in decline The system. mission the

ust off Highway One in Half Moon According to the diary of Father Francisco Housing was simple and food was J Bay, four small beaches stretching Palou—biographer and successor of Father plentiful. Alongside trout- and salmon-rich south from Montara Mountain form the Junípero Serra—the native people were freshwaters, the Ohlone used willow gentle two-mile curve of fine, white sand friendly, offering the Spaniards food and branches as frames for their dome-shaped that is Half Moon Bay State Beach. To the guidance through the steep arroyos. dwellings, thatching them with dried tule, east the Santa Cruz Mountains frame a Also linguistically referred to as cattails or light brush. The ocean provided dramatic backdrop to this captivating north Coastanoans (a name bestowed by the an abundance of fish, shellfish and sea central coast region known to local mammals, and the inland residents as the “Coastside.” To the areas were rich in acorns, west the enduring Pacific rolls berries, roots, barks and vigorously across the broad, flat nuts. The people—skilled beach. The breakwaters of Pillar agriculturists—practiced Point to the north have a buffering cultivation, controlled effect on the surf, and the waters at burning, pruning and re- this end of Half Moon Bay State seeding in order to encour- Beach form a calm surf. age the growth of herbs, The Coastside weather pattern is medicinal plants and desir- typical of the north central coast, able food sources. These with cool morning fog and highs in methods of land manage- the mid-60s during the summer. ment also produced natural Spring and fall bring clear, crisp forage that would lure local days, while wind and rain—broken game animals. by an occasional bright, sunny The Ohlone hunted large day—rule the winter months. Dress- (deer, bears, elk and sea ing in layers is recommended. mammals) and small (rab- bits, squirrels, skunks and PARK HISTORY Bikers on the Coastside Trail near Dunes Beach various birds) game for food. Cultural History Spanish, meaning coast people), the Some Ohlone artifacts found at the park By the time Europeans arrived here, this area Ohlones’ ecologically rich territory extended have included tools of obsidian and other had been occupied for thousands of years by from the marine environment of today’s San sharp stones, artfully woven baskets, as many as 50 separate and politically autono- Francisco inland to the oak/grasslands of the jewelry, clothing and weaponry. What the mous native groups known as the Ohlone. Each western edge of the San Joaquin Valley and native people could not make or gather group had its own leader, customs and south to present-day Carmel. Today’s coast they obtained in trade with other native territory, though some smaller groups were Highway One and Highway 92 over the groups. connected by shared boundaries, intertribal mountains faithfully follow trails created by In the mid-1700s, Spanish missionaries marriage and similarities of language. the Ohlone. arrived and drew the native people into

6/28/05, 2:22 PM

plants and animals. and plants the milder wave action of summer months summer of action wave milder the

diverse system of mountains, canyons and canyons mountains, of system diverse hemlock has affected the survival of native of survival the affected has hemlock storms tend to carry the sand out to sea, but sea, to out sand the carry to tend storms

nearly constant erosion have created a created have erosion constant nearly , New Zealand spinach and poisonivy and spinach Zealand New , , wind andaccording to the season. In winter In season. the to andaccording wind ,

line. Over the years geologic movement and movement geologic years the Over line. non-native species such as sea fig, cape fig, sea as such species non-native Inland, sand dunes change constantly change dunes sand Inland,

beaches with a two-mile crescent of shore- of crescent two-mile a with beaches coast was pristine. The introduction of introduction The pristine. was coast f , hydrolite and onyx) prominent.chert, jasper prominent.chert, onyx) and hydrolite ,

venue, consists of four smallerKelly A smallerKelly four of consists venue, are not as diverse as they were when this when were they as diverse as not are on

here, with various forms of quartz of forms various with here, (agate,

Beach, one-half-mile west of Highway One on One Highway of west one-half-mile Beach, The plant communities of Half Moon Bay Moon Half of communities plant The Semiprecious stones are sometimes found sometimes are stones Semiprecious

Plants The rugged coastline of Half Moon Bay State Bay Moon Half of coastline rugged The actions of millions of years of seismic activity seismic of years of millions of actions .

Natural History Natural is Joaquin Rivers. Joaquin shows the uplifting, faulting and folding and faulting uplifting, the shows

Francisco. ment from the Sacramento and San and Sacramento the from ment Palo Colorado fault zones, the coastline the zones, fault Colorado Palo

onto smaller boats headed north to San to north headed boats smaller onto beach sand are eroding bluffs and sedi- and bluffs eroding are sand beach San Andreas and Seal Cove-San Gregorio- Cove-San Seal and Andreas San

da, rumrunners to unload their illegal whiskey illegal their unload to rumrunners brings it back. Primary sources of new of sources Primary back. it brings marine terraces. Located within the active the within Located terraces. marine

Our Mission J Half Moon The mission of the California Department of Parks and Recreation is to provide for the so Bay health, inspiration and education of the ge people of California by helping to preserve th the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, ea State Beach protecting its most valued natural and dr cultural resources, and creating opportunities ce for high-quality outdoor recreation. re early four miles we N vi be from north to south, Po ef the sweeping views th California State Parks does not discriminate Be against individuals with disabilities. Prior to of Half Moon Bay arrival, visitors with disabilities who need ty assistance should contact the park at the allow perfect wi phone number below. To receive this publica- th tion in an alternate format, write to the Com- wildlife watching. Sp munications Office at the following address. da by CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS da P. O. Box 942896 in Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 PA (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. Cu 711, TTY relay service By www.parks.ca.gov ha as m Half Moon Bay State Beach gr 95 Kelly Avenue te Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 co (650) 726-8819 m Cover Photo courtesy of Frank Balthis © 2005 California State Parks Printed on Recycled Paper

HMBBrochure PDFlayout 1 Along the Coastside Trail, visitors will area attractive to a number of bird species, boundary from Kelly Avenue see California poppies, beach primroses, including red-tailed hawks, barn owls, red- north to Pillar Point and sand verbena, lizardtail, wild radish, winged blackbirds and American kestrels. south to Poplar Beach, mustard, coyote bush and yellow bush Coyote bush is home to white-crowned offering spectacular lupines. The bluffs and terraces of the sparrows, and jackrabbits and brush rabbits ocean views. A higher elevations have been altered for nibble along the trail's edge. horse trail paral- agricultural purposes, diminishing the lels the Coastside RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES presence of the native sage scrub that Trail between Coastal access is available at Roosevelt once dominated the area. Roosevelt and Beach, Dunes Beach, Venice Beach and Francis Francis Beach. Beaches; Camping horses are not The Francis Beach campground has 52 permitted on family sites, some suitable for tent the beaches. camping, others for trailers or recre- Restrooms are ational vehicles. Although hookups are adjacent to parking not available, there is a dump station. areas. Coin-operated hot showers are also Fishing available. From late spring through Trails summer, Half Moon Bay is noted The level, 4-mile multi-use Coastside for good runs of surf smelt. Anglers Trail extends along the beach’s eastern use throw nets and are known to bring along su

Photo courtesy of Frank Balthis of Frank courtesy Photo Horse trail along the Coastside Trail gear to catch the striped bass that Vi sometimes follow the smelt. Th Swimming tio Animals Swimming is not recommended na The most common birds in this area are here because of extremely cold migratory and resident water-associated water temperatures and unpredict- birds such as western snowy plovers, west- able rip currents. ern, California and glaucous-winged gulls, Surfing brown pelicans and sanderlings. Offshore, Surfing conditions here are nearly migrating gray whales, California sea lions impossible to forecast because of and harbor seals provide great wildlife the unpredictable weather and surf watching. urtesy of Frank Balthis ofPhotourtesy Frank co action. However, depending on the At Frenchman’s Creek the willow shrubs Campground at Francis Beach direction of swell and the level of that grow along the banks make this riparian

PLEASE REMEMBER • There are no lifeguard stations at Half Moon Bay State Beach. Always use caution in or near the ocean, which is very cold year round. Even a short swim can cause cramps or hypothermia (a life threatening condition in which your body temperature drops below nor- mal). In addition, strong rip currents can pull even the most experienced swimmers offshore. NEARBY • Dogs are not permitted on the beaches. STATE PARKS When in the campground, in the day- Point Montara Light Station, use picnic areas, or on the Coastside 25 miles south of San Francisco Trail, dogs must be on a leash no more off Highway One, (650) 728-7177 than 6 feet long. Montara State Beach, 8 miles north of Half • Horses in the park are restricted to the Moon Bay off Highway One, designated horse trail and are not (650) 726-8819 permitted on the beach. San Gregorio State Beach, 10.5 miles south • Beach fires are NOT allowed. of Half Moon Bay off Highway One, • Shells, driftwood and other natural beach (650) 879-2170 features are protected by State law. • Fireworks are prohibited. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES •To prevent vandalism, lock your car, • The Coastside Trail through the park is activate the car alarm and take the paved and accessible. key with you. Hide valuables out of •Francis Beach camping, picnicking and sight. Report any suspicious activity beach access via a beach wheelchair are to park staff. available. Four campsites, three restrooms, parking and outdoor rinsing showers are accessibly designed. This park is supported in part through a nonprofit • The park Visitor Center and Information organization. For more information contact: Center are both accessible. Accessibility is continually improving. For San Mateo Coast Natural History Association current accessibility details call the park, or c/o Año Nuevo State Reserve visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. New Years Creek Road Pescadero, CA 94060 (650) 879-2041

HMBBrochure PDFlayout 2 the tide, lucky surfers have been known to catch Sharing the Beach with the some memorable Western Snowy Plover waves, particularly around the The western snowy plover that nests at behind temporary fences while they nest southern end Half Moon Bay is a sparrow-sized, light- and nurture their young. Non-native plants of the cres- colored shorebird with dark patches on are removed, and predators are kept under cent. A mile either side of its neck, behind its eyes, control; if necessary some portions of the offshore and on its forehead. The Pacific coast beach may be closed to dogs and people. Pillar Point, population of the snowy plover, found California State Parks, the U.S. Fish and where waves on flat, open beaches, in dunes and Wildlife Service, and other coastal land can reach 20 near stream mouths, is a threatened managers work together to ensure the feet in height, species. success of this small shorebird. the world- Extremely difficult to see, the small, Avoid approaching fenced or posted famous well-camouflaged bird lives and nests in habitat areas; lighting fires or camping on Maverick’s small depressions in the sand. Much of the beach except in designated areas; and surfing spot is for the snowy plover’s habitat exists in disturbing areas that provide the plovers experts only. The coastal units of California State Parks. with nesting and feeding habitat. Because gentle swells at The The bird nests in spring and summer, of the snowy plover’s threatened status, it Jetty near El Granada make and the first month of life is the most is protected by the federal Endangered it perhaps the most popular challenging for plover chicks. The young Species Act, and anyone who harms or plovers are under constant stress from disturbs the plover or its habitat may be ng surfing spot in the area for beginners. people, feral cats, visiting dogs, native cited and fined. Visitor Center predators, and even high-flying kites The park’s visitor center features informa- that resemble raptors. tion and exhibits about the cultural and The snowy plover has lived on Califor- natural history of the area. Summer hours nia beaches for thousands of years. are Thursday through Sunday However, today its survival is seriously from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - threatened. Call the park for If the snowy plover is to survive winter hours. human use of its natural habitat, it needs our help. In California’s state parks, plovers are monitored to deter- rf mine their numbers, banded to allow

e Western later identification, and protected Balthis ofPhotourtesy Frank co Snowy Plover

6/28/05, 2:23 PM Along the Coastside Trail, visitors will area attractive to a number of bird species, boundary from Kelly Avenue see California poppies, beach primroses, including red-tailed hawks, barn owls, red- north to Pillar Point and sand verbena, lizardtail, wild radish, winged blackbirds and American kestrels. south to Poplar Beach, mustard, coyote bush and yellow bush Coyote bush is home to white-crowned offering spectacular lupines. The bluffs and terraces of the sparrows, and jackrabbits and brush rabbits ocean views. A higher elevations have been altered for nibble along the trail's edge. horse trail paral- agricultural purposes, diminishing the lels the Coastside RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES presence of the native sage scrub that Trail between Coastal access is available at Roosevelt once dominated the area. Roosevelt and Beach, Dunes Beach, Venice Beach and Francis Francis Beach. Beaches; Camping horses are not The Francis Beach campground has 52 permitted on family sites, some suitable for tent the beaches. camping, others for trailers or recre- Restrooms are ational vehicles. Although hookups are adjacent to parking not available, there is a dump station. areas. Coin-operated hot showers are also Fishing available. From late spring through Trails summer, Half Moon Bay is noted The level, 4-mile multi-use Coastside for good runs of surf smelt. Anglers Trail extends along the beach’s eastern use throw nets and are known to bring along su

Photo courtesy of Frank Balthis of Frank courtesy Photo Horse trail along the Coastside Trail gear to catch the striped bass that Vi sometimes follow the smelt. Th Swimming tio Animals Swimming is not recommended na The most common birds in this area are here because of extremely cold migratory and resident water-associated water temperatures and unpredict- birds such as western snowy plovers, west- able rip currents. ern, California and glaucous-winged gulls, Surfing brown pelicans and sanderlings. Offshore, Surfing conditions here are nearly migrating gray whales, California sea lions impossible to forecast because of and harbor seals provide great wildlife the unpredictable weather and surf watching. urtesy of Frank Balthis ofPhotourtesy Frank co action. However, depending on the At Frenchman’s Creek the willow shrubs Campground at Francis Beach direction of swell and the level of that grow along the banks make this riparian

PLEASE REMEMBER • There are no lifeguard stations at Half Moon Bay State Beach. Always use caution in or near the ocean, which is very cold year round. Even a short swim can cause cramps or hypothermia (a life threatening condition in which your body temperature drops below nor- mal). In addition, strong rip currents can pull even the most experienced swimmers offshore. NEARBY • Dogs are not permitted on the beaches. STATE PARKS When in the campground, in the day- Point Montara Light Station, use picnic areas, or on the Coastside 25 miles south of San Francisco Trail, dogs must be on a leash no more off Highway One, (650) 728-7177 than 6 feet long. Montara State Beach, 8 miles north of Half • Horses in the park are restricted to the Moon Bay off Highway One, designated horse trail and are not (650) 726-8819 permitted on the beach. San Gregorio State Beach, 10.5 miles south • Beach fires are NOT allowed. of Half Moon Bay off Highway One, • Shells, driftwood and other natural beach (650) 879-2170 features are protected by State law. • Fireworks are prohibited. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES •To prevent vandalism, lock your car, • The Coastside Trail through the park is activate the car alarm and take the paved and accessible. key with you. Hide valuables out of •Francis Beach camping, picnicking and sight. Report any suspicious activity beach access via a beach wheelchair are to park staff. available. Four campsites, three restrooms, parking and outdoor rinsing showers are accessibly designed. This park is supported in part through a nonprofit • The park Visitor Center and Information organization. For more information contact: Center are both accessible. Accessibility is continually improving. For San Mateo Coast Natural History Association current accessibility details call the park, or c/o Año Nuevo State Reserve visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. New Years Creek Road Pescadero, CA 94060 (650) 879-2041

HMBBrochure PDFlayout 2 the tide, lucky surfers have been known to catch Sharing the Beach with the some memorable Western Snowy Plover waves, particularly around the The western snowy plover that nests at behind temporary fences while they nest southern end Half Moon Bay is a sparrow-sized, light- and nurture their young. Non-native plants of the cres- colored shorebird with dark patches on are removed, and predators are kept under cent. A mile either side of its neck, behind its eyes, control; if necessary some portions of the offshore and on its forehead. The Pacific coast beach may be closed to dogs and people. Pillar Point, population of the snowy plover, found California State Parks, the U.S. Fish and where waves on flat, open beaches, in dunes and Wildlife Service, and other coastal land can reach 20 near stream mouths, is a threatened managers work together to ensure the feet in height, species. success of this small shorebird. the world- Extremely difficult to see, the small, Avoid approaching fenced or posted famous well-camouflaged bird lives and nests in habitat areas; lighting fires or camping on Maverick’s small depressions in the sand. Much of the beach except in designated areas; and surfing spot is for the snowy plover’s habitat exists in disturbing areas that provide the plovers experts only. The coastal units of California State Parks. with nesting and feeding habitat. Because gentle swells at The The bird nests in spring and summer, of the snowy plover’s threatened status, it Jetty near El Granada make and the first month of life is the most is protected by the federal Endangered it perhaps the most popular challenging for plover chicks. The young Species Act, and anyone who harms or plovers are under constant stress from disturbs the plover or its habitat may be ng surfing spot in the area for beginners. people, feral cats, visiting dogs, native cited and fined. Visitor Center predators, and even high-flying kites The park’s visitor center features informa- that resemble raptors. tion and exhibits about the cultural and The snowy plover has lived on Califor- natural history of the area. Summer hours nia beaches for thousands of years. are Thursday through Sunday However, today its survival is seriously from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - threatened. Call the park for If the snowy plover is to survive winter hours. human use of its natural habitat, it needs our help. In California’s state parks, plovers are monitored to deter- rf mine their numbers, banded to allow

e Western later identification, and protected Balthis ofPhotourtesy Frank co Snowy Plover

6/28/05, 2:23 PM