Cove Beach(New Years Creek Beach)

Located in the southern end of Año Nuevo State Park, Cove Beach – also known as the New Years Creek Beach – is a beige-sand beach with a few rock formations. 

Cove Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly. 

Cove Beach offers many fun activities including surfing, beachcombing, hiking, and wildlife watching. Migrating gray whales can be seen in the water near this beach generally between March and May. 

Getting to Cove Beach is easy – there’s a large free along Cabrillo Highway / Pacific Coast Highway, around half a mile south of the main entrance road for Año Nuevo State Park. A wide trail starts from the northern end of the parking lot and leads to the beach. 

There are many attractions near Cove Beach. Christmas Tree Cove is a rocky cove which is a popular scuba diving and snorkelling spot. During low tide, you can explore the interesting tidepools present in the southern part of this cove. Big Basin Redwood State Park offers a variety of recreational activities including horseback riding and hiking. You can spot many kinds of wonderful animals and birds in the state park including deer, bobcats, herons, egrets, and California woodpeckers. If you are looking for another attraction near Cove Beach, Butano State Park features many hiking trails and offers guided nature walks and weekend campfire excursions during the summer. You can spot many kinds of wonderful animals and birds in the state park including woodpeckers and newts.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Cove Beach. Cascade Bar & Grill serves delicious dishes including corn risotto, deviled eggs, ricotta pancakes, and zucchini tacos. Whale City Bakery serves delicious crab cakes, calamari, and fish and chips. Main Street Grill serves classic American breakfast and lunch. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Cove Beach, the modestly priced Loma Mar Store & Kitchen offers amazing grilled toasts and sandwiches.

If you are looking for a hotel near Cove Beach, there are many great nearby options. If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is 34 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including a pool, an outdoor fireplace, a tennis court, kids club, and a fitness center. As another upscale hotel, the 4-Star Oceano Hotel & Spa Half Moon Bay Harbor is 39 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including a bar, a spa, and a gym. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Hotel Keen that offers many amenities including complimentary breakfast, a nightly wine-tasting hour, Nintendo Wii rental facility, and discounted access to a nearby fitness center and spa. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Cove Beach, the modestly priced 2-Star Berbeda Place offers complimentary credit for all-day breakfast, lunch, dinner at a local restaurant of your choice.