Half Moon Bay

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=531 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_Moon_Bay_State_Beach Half Moon Bay State Beach is a 4-mile (6 km) stretch of protected beaches in the state park system of California, USA, on Half Moon Bay. From north to south it comprises Roosevelt, Dunes, Venice, and Francis Beaches.

Cu By ha as m gr te co m PA ty wi th Sp da by da in so ge th ea dr ce re we vi be Po ef th Be J a, s 1 Printed on Recycled Paper Cover Photo courtesy of Frank Balthis wildlife watching. allow perfect of Half Moon Bay The mission of the California Department of Parks and Recreation is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. n HMBBrochure PDFlayout © 2005 California State Parks 95 Kelly Avenue Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 (650) 726-8819 Half Moon Bay State Beach www.parks.ca.gov CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P. O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service California State Parks does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at the phone number below. To receive this publication in an alternate format, write to the Communications Office at the following address. the sweeping views from north to south, Nearly four miles rumrunners to unload their illegal whiskey onto smaller boats headed north to San Francisco. Natural History The rugged coastline of Half Moon Bay State Beach, one-half-mile west of Highway One on Kelly Avenue, consists of four smaller beaches with a two-mile crescent of shoreline. Over the years geologic movement and nearly constant erosion have created a diverse system of mountains, canyons and marine terraces. Located within the active San Andreas and Seal Cove-San GregorioPalo Colorado fault zones, the coastline shows the uplifting, faulting and folding actions of millions of years of seismic activity. Semiprecious stones are sometimes found here, with various forms of quartz (agate, chert, jasper, hydrolite and onyx) prominent. Inland, sand dunes change constantly according to the season. In winter, wind and storms tend to carry the sand out to sea, but the milder wave action of summer months State Beach Half Moon Bay Our Mission brings it back. Primary sources of new beach sand are eroding bluffs and sediment from the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. Plants The plant communities of Half Moon Bay are not as diverse as they were when this coast was pristine. The introduction of non-native species such as sea fig, cape ivy, New Zealand spinach and poison hemlock has affected the survival of native plants and animals. late 1800s, when groups arrived from Canada, Italy, Germany, Ireland, China, England, Portugal, Scotland and the Pacific Islands. The first official mention of Half Moon Bay is on an 1854 Coast Survey sketch of Spanishtown. Before Highway One was built, Prohibition (1920 to 1933) had caused a proliferation of speakeasies along the coast. This area’s hidden coves and thick fog made it perfect for the eagerly awaited ships of Canadian PARK HISTORY Cultural History By the time Europeans arrived here, this area had been occupied for thousands of years by as many as 50 separate and politically autonomous native groups known as the Ohlone. Each group had its own leader, customs and territory, though some smaller groups were connected by shared boundaries, intertribal marriage and similarities of language. 6/28/05, 2:22 PM it, but those who took it over changed its natural ecology. In spite of these challenges, today’s Ohlone descendents continue the use of native plants and are reviving their languages and passing on their honored traditions. When the gold rush brought immigrants from Mexico and Chile to the area, San Benito earned the nickname “Spanishtown.” Its remarkable diversity began during the ust off Highway One in Half Moon Bay, four small beaches stretching south from Montara Mountain form the gentle two-mile curve of fine, white sand that is Half Moon Bay State Beach. To the east the Santa Cruz Mountains frame a dramatic backdrop to this captivating north central coast region known to local residents as the “Coastside.” To the west the enduring Pacific rolls vigorously across the broad, flat beach. The breakwaters of Pillar Point to the north have a buffering effect on the surf, and the waters at this end of Half Moon Bay State Beach form a calm surf. The Coastside weather pattern is typical of the north central coast, with cool morning fog and highs in the mid-60s during the summer. Spring and fall bring clear, crisp days, while wind and rain—broken by an occasional bright, sunny day—rule the winter months. Dressing in layers is recommended. According to the diary of Father Francisco Palou—biographer and successor of Father Junípero Serra—the native people were friendly, offering the Spaniards food and guidance through the steep arroyos. Also linguistically referred to as Coastanoans (a name bestowed by the the mission system. The decline

Half Moon Bay State Beach 95 Kelly Ave. • Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 • (650) 726-8820 Four miles of broad, sandy beaches stretch out to welcome visitors to Half Moon Bay. Half Moon Bay State Beach offers day-use parking lots and restroom facilities at Francis, Venice, Dunes, Roosevelt, and Cowell Beaches. Francis Beach has a developed day-use picnic area with barbecues and picnic tables overlooking the beach. CAMPING OPPORTUNITIES: Francis Beach has 52 developed campsites for family camping. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings. There is a 7-day camping limit from May 1 to October 31 and a 14day camping limit the rest of the year. For those individuals hiking or bicycling up and down the California coast, a Hike & Bike area is also available for one night only. No vehicles are allowed in this area. are present, even 15 mph might be too fast. Use good judgment. CAMPGROUND OPERATIONS: Reservations are highly recommended. Unreserved sites may be available, but will only be rented one night at a time. To extend your visit, re-register at the entrance station between 9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. Switching sites is not permitted. Make your campsite appear occupied when you are not there, but do not leave valuables. Campsite occupied signs are available at the entrance station. DOGS must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under control at all times. They must be confined to a vehicle or tent at night. Dogs are not allowed on the beach area of Half Moon Bay State Beach. PARK FEES are due and payable upon entry into the park. The campsite fee covers one vehicle (and one towed-in vehicle, if applicable). There are additional fees for extra vehicles. A maximum of three vehicles (including towed-in vehicles) is allowed per site. MAIN ENTRANCE GATES: The main entrance gates will be closed at sunset. The inbound side will be locked. The outbound side will be closed but left unlocked. When leaving and returning after sunset, please close the gate behind you. This will reduce the amount of unauthorized traffic into the campground. OCCUPANCY: Each campsite may have up to 8 persons (including children). One RV per site. VEHICLE PARKING: Vehicles may be parked only in your assigned campsite. They must remain on the pavement and must not extend into the roadway beyond the campsite number or limit line. Vehicles that do not fit properly in the site may be parked in the extra vehicle parking lot on the eastern side of the campground. SPEED LIMIT: The maximum speed limit is 15 mph. When pedestrians, bicyclists and children NOISE: Radios and other sound-producing devices must not be audible beyond your immediate campsite. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generators must be off from 8 p.m until 10 a.m. To ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone, please do not disturb other campers, regardless of the time of day or night. FIRES: Beach fires are strictly prohibited. GAMES that are disruptive to the other campers or to the environment are prohibited. CHECK-OUT TIME is noon. Please vacate your site by that time. Check-in time is 2 p.m. CAMPING RESERVATIONS: You may make camping reservations up to seven months and no less than 48 hours in advance by calling (800) 444-7275 (TTY 800-274-7275). To make online reservations, visit our website at www.parks.ca.gov. Discover the many states of California.TM CAMPING RESERVATIONS: You may make camping reservations by calling (800) 444-7275 (TTY 800-274-7275). To make online reservations, visit our website at www.parks.ca.gov. ALTERNATE FORMAT: This publication can be made available in alternate formats. Contact interp@parks.ca.gov or call (916) 654-2249. Half Moon Bay State Beach Francis Beach Campground 20 22 10 21 9 23 7 26 25 5 Extra 8 Vehicle Parking 6 28 27 3 4 29 1 2 24 30 32 31 45 34 33 For Emergencies 41 42 Dial 40 ch A cces s 36 Map not to scale. 43 44 35 37 38 39 46 51 47 52 CH 48 49 Beach Access HWY 92 Kelly Ave. FRANCIS BEACH Coastside Trail 9-1-1. LEGEND # Accessible Campsite Accessible Feature 50 CH Camp Host Blvd . Campfire Center oa FRANCIS BEACH Balb Half Moon Bay 13 11 Main Street 12 18 19 VENICE BEACH HWY 1 14 17 Coastside Trail 16 SWEETWOOD GROUP CAMP DUNES BEACH Pacific Ocean 15 Coastside Trail ROOSEVELT BEACH Beach Access Bea Your space # _________ Day-Use Entrance Station i Hike & Bike Campsites i Information Parking Picnic Area Ranger Station Restrooms RV Sanitation Station Showers Visitor Center Tent-Only Campsites Water Faucet © 2007 California State Parks (Rev. 2013)