Having lived near the ocean in San Mateo County, I’ve seen how California’s iconic coastline inspires both awe and a sense of community. From its sandy coves to its dramatic cliffs, this stretch of the Pacific is more than just a beautiful landscape — it’s where people from all walks of life connect with nature and with each other. That’s why access to coastal trails matters so much: they give both locals and visitors the chance to experience this incredible place up close, to breathe in the ocean air, and to feel a part of something larger than themselves.
INTRODUCING THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL TRAIL
Here at POST, we want to ensure that all people can see, experience, and enjoy local landscapes. That’s why we’re leading the completion of the California Coastal Trail (CCT), an impressive 1,200-mile-long network of multi-use trails. One day, it will span the entirety of our glorious coastline, from Mexico’s northern border to Oregon’s southern border.
Today, about 70% of the project is complete, featuring a braided network of trails, including walking, biking, and equestrian routes that range from sand to dirt to paved paths. (Check out this map for detailed trail information).
In our region, POST is working diligently and carefully to close the trail gaps in San Mateo County alongside our partners in neighboring counties, while continuing to prioritize our goals of protecting farmland and open space.
While work remains underway, there are already plenty of completed segments along our stretch of the coastline that are attracting and inspiring visitors. Here’s our list of recommendations, beginning at the north end of POST’s region of influence and moving south.
BEST STOPS ALONG THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL TRAIL
Devil’s Slide Trail
Pacifica
Converted from a once deadly and often closed segment of Highway 1, this trail overlooks a rocky section of coast between Pacifica and Montara. Entirely paved and just over a mile long, this trail is an excellent choice for a variety of users, including hikers of any age, joggers, wheelchair users, cyclists, and even equestrians.
Extra Insight: Devil’s Slide Trail is a great example of the inventive ways we’re bringing the California Coastal Trail to fruition. When safer or more efficient routes replace old roadways, the abandoned sections sometimes make for great trails. As we figure out how to close gaps along the coastline, former highways can be promising solutions.
Gray Whale Cove State Beach
Pacifica
Just a mile south of Devil’s Slide Trail, this state beach offers a sheltered cove for prime ocean viewing, with towering coastal cliffs on either side. These cliffs, which brighten with blooming wildflowers in the spring, shield this quaint beach from the view of Highway 1, offering a private, white-sand experience along the coast. Named for the gray whales that visitors can see during migration season, this is a prime location to do some low-key whale watching.
Extra Insight: While the entirety of the California Coastal Trail is (obviously) coastal, not all of it is directly on the coastline. Rather, all trails aim to be within the sight, sound, or smell of the sea. Going south from Gray Whale Cove, the CCT rises to an elevated, slightly inland section of trail in Montara State Beach. Though it’s not right next to the shore, this area still offers sweeping ocean views and a taste of that magical coastal atmosphere.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
Moss Beach
The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a must-see section of the California Coastal Trail for those who enjoy tidepooling. This bit of rocky seashore near Moss Beach is host to an abundance of tidepool creatures, including crabs, sponges, seastars, and more. Though this stop is more ideal for taking it slow and exploring the tidepools, you can also enjoy a short walk between here and Seal Cove along Bluff Trail, which weaves through coastal forest. Quick forest bath, anyone?
Extra Insight: Some of the preserves along this stretch of coast existed long before Californians even imagined a statewide coastal trail. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve was established in 1969, three years before voters approved the California Coastal Zone Conservation Act that set the trail in motion. Created to protect the hundreds of marine species that thrive in its tidepools, Fitzgerald has since revealed dozens of new species and remains a cornerstone of coastal conservation today.
Wavecrest Open Space
Half Moon Bay
On the coast of Half Moon Bay, Wavecrest Open Space Preserve offers multiple trail experiences. You can walk along the sands of Wavecrest beach, taking in terrific ocean views while keeping an eye out for whales or harbor seals. Or you can walk along the slightly elevated coastal cliffs, where you can take the Tree Tunnel Trail through an arch of cypress trees, or go birdwatching along the aptly named Bird Trail. Whichever route you take, you’re almost guaranteed to see pelicans, hawks, or cormorants overhead.
Extra Insight: Though there are other trails to explore at Wavecrest, the section that’s officially part of the California Coastal Trail is a beach route; that is, a sand-only stretch that follows the shoreline. However, the Coastside Land Trust is currently in the process of developing 2.3 miles of new, compacted gravel trails that will close the accessibility gap between Redondo Beach and Poplar Beach. This project, supported by POST, is under construction as of October 2025. You can read updates here. Bit by bit, the completed vision for the California Coastal Trail is coming together!
Pescadero State Beach & Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve
Pescadero
At Pescadero State Beach, a segment of California Coastal Trail winds through both sand dunes and marsh, all within view of the coastal bluffs beyond and ocean waves to the west. The adjoining Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve also makes for an extra special spot. There’s a rookery of egrets visible in the Eucalyptus grove to the north, a resident eagle occasionally seen soaring above, and a hunched tree known to local Jones Gulch outdoor ed students as Eudora. (If you put your ear up to her cool bark, you might be able to hear the water within!) This mile-long shoreline has sandy coves, picnic tables, and tidepools, making it a great choice for families up for a little adventure. From September to the end of February, you can even kayak in the marsh (bring your own boat.)
Extra Insight: POST is working with Arriba South Coast to improve connections to the coastal trail locally from the community of Pescadero as part of the Pescadero to Sea Trail planning effort.
Pebble Beach
Pescadero
Pebble Beach is an ideal location to see the largely undisturbed and classically rugged coastline of San Mateo County. It’s a favorite among dog walkers, and the packed sand trail makes for easy strolling. When the timing is right, this is another great location for tidepooling. Outcrops of sandstone here have been weathered down to a honeycomb-like surface that makes perfect habitat for marine life. Check the tide chart to find the right time to go tidepooling! It’s a short walk from here to another one of our favorite CCT stops, Bean Hollow State Beach, which is just under a mile south, and also dog-friendly.
Extra Insight: Whether you’re out walking your dog, going for a jog, or hopping on your bike, the California Coastal Trail offers something for everyone. Though rules along different stretches vary, depending on where you are, it welcomes hikers, backpackers, cyclists, skaters, and equestrians, serving as both a recreational escape and a transportation route. This variety is what makes it so special.
Wilder Ranch State Park
Santa Cruz
Though there are many places to experience the CCT in Santa Cruz county, Wilder Ranch is our go-to recommendation (and respondents in our recent State of the Trails survey agreed; it was the #1 destination listed). This 7,000-acre state park offers easy bluff trails, historic buildings, marshy nature preserves, and of course, gorgeous coastal views. Whether you’re biking, hiking, or horseback riding, there’s a trail for you. From here, you can also branch off to Natural Bridges State Beach, with its fascinating rock formations, or to Santa Cruz’s West Cliff Drive, popular for its stunning vistas and proximity to shops, restaurants, and more.
Extra Insight: Between Davenport and Rio Del Mar, the California Coastal Trail is scarcely interrupted along the coast of Santa Cruz county. The goal of this regional project is well-represented here, as biking, walking, paved, and sand trails braid together to foster multi-use access to the coastline.
WE LOVE THE CALIFORNIA COAST
These are our current favorite stops, but the list goes on much, much longer. As trails continue to be developed, the sightseeing options will only continue to grow, as the current 875 miles of California Coastal Trail inch toward their ultimate goal. Fortunately, our glorious California coast offers an abundance of beauty to begin with, and many trails to enjoy today!
Looking for more coastal hiking recommendations? We got you covered.
More to Explore
About Post
Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving more than 97,000 acres as permanently protected land in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. Learn more
