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Overview
Located to the south of the city of Half Moon Bay, Cowell Ranch Beach is a large beach with light brown sand and sparse vegetation. The beach is situated below steep oceanfront yellow sandstone bluffs and is a part of an oceanfront state park known as Cowell Ranch State Beach. The shoreline around the beach is rocky and an interesting wall-like rock formation can be found near the southern part of the beach. Cowell Ranch Beach is less popular than other Half Moon Bay beaches.
Amenities
While Cowell Ranch Beach does not have any lifeguards or any other amenities, the blufftop area above the beach has hiking trails and restrooms.
Activities
Cowell Ranch Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, hiking, picnicking, beachcombing, and wildlife watching. The water near Cowell Ranch Beach is extremely unsafe for recreational aquatic activities including surfing and swimming as it is known to have dangerous waves and strong water currents. Cases of drowning-related accidents have also been previously reported from this beach. In addition, we recommend being careful while walking along the beach shoreline as sneaker waves can pull you offshore into the ocean. If you are visiting with children, we strongly recommend against leaving them unattended on this beach. The water near Cowell Ranch Beach is home to seals, sea lions, and migrating grey whales (usually between December and April). The southern part of Cowell Ranch Beach - which is known as Seal Beach - is a designated nature preserve that is closed off to public access. However, there is a blufftop overlook above Cowell Ranch Beach from where you can look at the seals in Seal Beach and also have a memorable look at newborn seal pups during early spring. This blufftop overlook also has coin-operated binoculars. The blufftop area above the beach also has hiking and equestrian trails which you can use to explore the vivid and beautiful coastal blufftop landscape present above the beach. The blufftop area above Cowell Ranch Beach also has interpretive displays that offer interesting information about the local natural history. In addition, the blufftop area above the beach is also a great bird-watching spot. The blufftop area above Cowell Ranch Beach also has the Cowell-Purisima Trail, which is a three-and-a-half mile part of the California Coastal Trail and offers Instagram-worthy views of the blufftop area along the San Mateo County shoreline.
Parking
Getting to Cowell Ranch Beach is easy - the access trail to Cowell Ranch Beach starts near 17500 Cabrillo Highway South / Pacific Coast Highway. The access trails end near the edge of the bluff, where there are stairs leading down along the bluff side to Cowell Ranch Beach.
Attractions
There are many attractions near Cowell Ranch Beach. If you like shopping, the downtown area of the city of Half Moon Bay has some exciting designer and branded stores, galleries, restaurants, and frequent live music performances while also hosting a farmer’s market every Saturday from May through December featuring some of the best fresh produce, gourmet dishes, and handicrafts in San Mateo County. La Nebbia Winery offers exciting wine tours within its picturesque wine gardens on weekends along with wine tasting sessions, a bocce court, and picnic areas. If you are looking for another attraction near Cowell Ranch Beach, Half Moon Bay Golf Links is set in the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay resort property and offers two 18-hole challenging golf courses, bocce ball courts, and a restaurant.
Restaurants
If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Cowell Ranch Beach. Pasta Moon is an upscale Italian restaurant serving a fantastic range of pasta and pizzas made from farm-fresh and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant has been praised in many publications including the MICHELIN Guide. Cafe Capistrano offers delicious Mexican dishes with a Mayan twist and has also been praised in the MICHELIN Guide. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Cowell ranch Beach, modestly priced family-friendly Main Street Grill offers delicious lunch and breakfast dishes including eggs, pancakes, French toasts, and salads.
Hotels
If you are looking for a hotel near Cowell Ranch Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 5-Star Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay offers many amenities including three restaurants, a spa, two golf courses, a lawn with firepits, a fitness center, a tennis court, a pool, and a spa. As another upscale option, the 4-Star Oceano Hotel & Spa Half Moon Bay Harbor is 22 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including a restaurant, a bar, a spa, and a fitness center. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star 1855 Zaballa House that is set in a 19th-century mansion and offers a variety of amenities including complimentary breakfast, evening wine-and-cheese tasting sessions, and an elegant guest lounge. The hotel also has an exhibition of artifacts highlighting Half Moon Bay’s vibrant history. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Cowell Ranch Beach, the modestly priced 2-Star Quality Inn is located conveniently close to some of the major landmarks in Half Moon Bay and offers numerous amenities including a fitness center and complimentary breakfast.
Basic Details
All Amenities at Cowell Ranch Beach
Amenities
Barbecue
Dogs
Activities
Bike Paths
Fishing
Hiking
Rentals
Bikes
Food
Access
Car Access
Foot Access
Parking - Free
Features
Cowell Ranch Beach - Beach Map
Top Traveler Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Surf through our FAQs to help you find your perfect beach!
Does Cowell Ranch Beach have parking? If so, is it free or paid?
Cowell Ranch Beach provides free parking at the entrance, although spaces are limited. Visitors can also find street parking nearby for easy access to the beach.
Does Cowell Ranch Beach have lifeguards?
No, Cowell Ranch Beach does not have lifeguards monitoring the beach – please be careful when swimming on this beach.
Is Cowell Ranch Beach a family-friendly beach?
Cowell Ranch Beach is not family-friendly and does not have restrooms, lifeguards, and nearby food.
Is Cowell Ranch Beach good for swimming?
Cowell Ranch Beach boasts excellent swimming conditions, attracting swimmers of all skill levels with its gentle waves and clear waters.
Does Cowell Ranch Beach have restrooms?
Cowell Ranch Beach does not have restrooms on or near the beach.
Is Cowell Ranch Beach a nude beach?
No, Cowell Ranch Beach maintains a family-friendly atmosphere and does not allow nude bathing.
Is there food near Cowell Ranch Beach?
Cowell Ranch Beach does not have nearby food options – please plan your beach day accordingly.
What are the activities at Cowell Ranch Beach?
Cowell Ranch Beach is renowned for its vibrant beach scene, offering various activities for everyone to enjoy Bike Paths, Fishing, Hiking.
Does Cowell Ranch Beach have accommodations for people with disabilities?
Cowell Ranch Beach does not have accommodations for people with disabilities.
Is Cowell Ranch Beach a dog-friendly beach?
Yes, bring your dog with you to Cowell Ranch Beach!
Is Cowell Ranch Beach good for surfing?
Cowell Ranch Beach is not generally considered to be good for surfing.
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