Ross Cove Beach

Ross Cove Beach is on the north side of Pillar Point between Half Moon Bay and the city of Moss Beach. The cove is inside the boundary of the San Mateo County-operated Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. On the south side of Pillar Point is Maverick’s Beach, the site of the annual Maverick’s Surf Competition. Above Ross Cove Beach is the Pillar Point Bluff Park with trails for jogging and dog-walking.

To find Ross Cove from Highway 1, drive through town of Princeton-by-the-Sea and then drive north on West Point Avenue to the end at the Pillar Point Marsh day-use parking lot. There are a couple trails that descend the steep bluff west of the parking area (across the road). One is up the Air Force Military Facility road right before their gate and the other is up the gated radio tower road directly west of the tower. Inspect the routes before descending as coastal conditions and bluff trails are always changing due to erosion. At high tide and during storms this beach may not be accessible or safe.

Address

W Point Ave
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Park Name

James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Pillar Point Bluff Park

Other Names

Ross' Cove

Owner

County

Pet Details

No dogs allowed on the beach

Fees

No fee for parking

Activities

Surfing, Beachcombing, Whale Watching, Hiking

Amenities

Toilets, Trails

Links

Surfing Info & Web Cams
Water Temps
Tide Chart