Cowell Ranch Beach

Cowell Ranch Beach south of Half Moon Bay is a public beach that was protected in 1987 by Peninsula Open Space Trust and the California Coastal Conservancy. Soon after the property acquisition this beach was transferred to California State Parks. It also receives fewer visitors than many of the better-known Half Moon Bay beaches.

February through May harbor seals can be spotted on the south part of the beach which is restricted during that time.

The parking lot is signed along Highway 1 about three miles south of town. The old decommissioned road behind the gate at the parking lot is the access trail to the bluff where a long stairway takes you down to the remote stretch of sand. If you don’t want to hike down to the beach, just walk the road for about a half-mile to the end where a viewing area looks out over the ocean from the edge of the cliff.

Cowell Ranch Beach is beautiful with high bluff walls wrapping around it. The stairs down the bluff are often closed due to slides from cliff erosion. The Cowell-Purisima Trail, a segment of the California Coastal Trail, begins at this location and follows the bluff all the way to another parking lot 3.6 miles away.

Stay back from the water and don’t turn your back on the ocean. Sneaker waves and rip currents are common at this beach. Deaths have occurred here due to rogue waves catching people off guard.

Address

17500 Cabrillo Hwy S
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Park Name

Cowell Ranch State Beach

Owner

State

Pet Details

No dogs allowed on the trail or beach.

Fees

No fee for parking

Activities

Hiking, Birdwatching, Beachcombing

Amenities

Toilets, Trails

Links

Surfing Info & Web Cam
Water Temps
Tide Chart