Pacifica to Pescadero
Three of the Peninsula’s finest beaches BY MATEO MANGOLINI Feature Editor
The arrival of summer in the peninsula means the arrival of drastic changes in the weather. Coats and sweaters make way for shorts as we all try to escape the natural oven that is the San Francisco Bay Area. What better way to beat the heat than to head to the beach? [As I’ve mentioned in my previous review about hiking trails in the area,] One fact of my family is that my parents are truly picky when it comes to beaches. Since they’re used to the crystal clear waters of the U.S. virgin islands, where my mother’s side is from, I didn’t get a chance to see the beauty of California’s coastline until my friends and I were able to drive, and make the commute without parent assistance. Since then, I’ve taken every opportunity to enjoy the water, whether it be near the dense rainforest of Santa Cruz or the chaparral of Pescadero. our peninsula’s natural geography uniquely situates us to enjoy 60 miles of pacific coastline, stretching from Pacifica in the north all the way south to Santa Cruz. Across this stretch of coast, everything from wind-swept limestone cliffs to rocky coves to rolling sand dunes can be observed and experienced in all their natural beauty. With so much variety, It can be difficult to choose where to go for your next beach excursion, whether for sunbathing, fishing, or simply relaxing. I embarked on a coast-hopping tour of the peninsula’s beaches, and I can safely say that
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I’ve found three of my favorites. On my tour, I found that the stretch of coast between Pacifica and Half Moon Bay was rather miserable for those not interested in surfing or fishing. Pacifica, just south of Daly City, is well known for its cloudy skies, cold weather, and excellent beaches for surfing, but it is rather lacking in the sunshine department. While the sheer limestone cliffs winding down the coast had their own sort of stoic beauty, it was not until I made a stop at Surfer’s beach that I began to see the sun on the Pacific Coast. Just north of Half Moon Bay proper, Surfer’s beach offers convenience, variety and beauty right off of Highway 1. Parking is a rather simple affair, with many side-streets and lots available to situate anything from a Mini Cooper to a Toyota Tacoma. My first impression was how pristine the beach was considering its proximity to nearby residential and commercial centers, with a notable absence of trash and seaweed. The waters here aren’t as violent as those further north, but it should be noted that there is considerable variation in the tides. The beach itself is wide, but not very long, with a small cliff only 75 feet or so from the water. At high tide, the water directly touches this cliff in some parts, so I’d recommend stopping somewhere else if you’re not intending to get at least a little wet. There are plenty of elevated (and dry!) nooks and crannies, however, so storing towels and bags and the like is not an issue. You’ll likely encounter other beachgoers and hikers here, especially those walking their dogs,but I didn’t find the area to be crowded by any stretch of the imagination. This beach is the closest to civilization, for better or for worse, with delicious restaurants like the Half Moon Bay Brewing company a 5-10 minute drive up the road and other modern amenities in case you happen to forget supplies at home. As an admirer of the flora and fauna of this peninsula, one major drawback I noticed was that this beach was largely devoid of any wildlife aside from the odd seagull. The beach itself is really only sand, and The cliff leading up to it only has short grass. That was a little disappointing for me, but for those who simply want a place to swim and relax this feature is far from an issue. This beach feels most like a “starter beach” in a way: It’s accessible, largely uncrowded, close to major commercial centers and open to a variety of activities.
Travelling further down the coast, eucalyptus forests and mountains made way for rolling hills and grasslands, as the sun began to peak through the clouds. Here, between the sun and the sea, I came across Pomponio and San Gregorio state beach. These two connected beaches are my favorites in this review, but some of their features may be unappealing. To start, these beaches are far more isolated than Surfer’s beach, with the closest settlement being San Gregorio, a small farming community with a massive population of 214. My phone lost service when I entered the parking lot due to the lack of nearby signal towers. These beaches are considerably less crowded than Surfer’s beach, with only two dozen or so other people during my weekend visit.I personally liked this atmosphere- once you’re on the beach, there’s no noise besides the roar of the ocean and other beachgoers enjoying their day. It’s a major drawback of you’re more comfortable having more modern amenities within reach, however. The other major turn-off for me is that these beaches are recent additions to California’s beach pass system, requiring a small fee to enter or a ridiculously expensive beach pass (costing around $150 a year). While I’m okay with paying $8 for a special occasion, I find it a little ludicrous to pay that amount consistently to have a good time. Nevertheless, these beaches are something special, in spite of the price of admission and the distance from centers of commerce. This area’s main draw for me is its geography (especially when talking about Pomponio Beach). The beach itself is both