Mavericks Beach(Maverick's Beach, Pillar Point Beach)

Located near the northern end of the city of Half Moon Bay, Mavericks Beach - also known as Pillar Point Beach - is situated adjacent to Pillar Point Harbor. Mavericks Beach has light brown sand and rocky reefs along its shoreline and is located below the bluff-top Pillar Point Air Force Station. The water near the beach is known for its gigantic and monstrous waves and is extremely dangerous for swimming, so it's recommended to be careful when visiting the beach’s shoreline. Big wave surfing enthusiasts often flock to this location, drawn by the renowned waves and the legend of discovering Mavericks.

Mavericks Beach does not have lifeguards or other amenities other than a few toilets and walking trails, but the beach allows dogs on leash.

Mavericks Beach offers many activities including sunbathing, swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, boating, surfing, sailboarding, tide-pooling, beachcombing, skimboarding, boogie-boarding, bodysurfing, and jet skiing. The water near the beach offers gigantic waves for surfing generally between November to March due to a unique natural rocky underwater ramp here. We recommend surfing here only if you’re an expert because the waves here can be extremely dangerous, sharp, and unpredictable. If you are an amateur, we recommend heading to the nearby Surfers Beach which offers smaller and lower risk waves. In addition, great white sharks have also been spotted near the beach. If you are a non-surfer, we recommend staying on the beach and watching a variety of marine animals found here including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and migrating grey whales between December to April. You can also explore the rocky tidepools present along the beach during low tide which feature a variety of creatures including crabs, sea anemones, and sea urchins. The Pillar Point Bluff Trail situated on the bluff-top areas near the beach is a walking and biking trail that highlights the vibrant wetlands present in Pillar Point. Mavericks Beach has been a subject of numerous documentaries and movies owing to its unique and challenging surfing waves, including the 2012 Gerard Butler and Jonny Weston movie "Chasing Mavericks." The film, set in Princeton-by-the-Sea, captures the essence of the local surf culture and the thrill of conquering the legendary waves.

Getting to Mavericks Beach is easy – the access path to the beach is located near 22 West Point Avenue, where there is also a free parking lot for Pillar Point Harbor. From the parking lot, you can head down the bluff side access path leading to the rocky jetty of Pillar Point Harbor and turn right to access Mavericks Beach. We recommend being careful when accessing the bluff side trail as the bluffs are steep and unstable.

As an interesting fact, Mavericks Beach is named after a white Alsatian dog named Maverick that was owned by one of the early surfers who surfed in the waters here in the 1960s.

There are many attractions near Mavericks Beach. Mavericks Surf Company, founded by local surfing legend Jeff Clark (who pioneered surfing as an activity on Mavericks Beach), sells surf-themed accessories and clothing and also rents water sporting equipment. Año Nuevo State Park features a vivid array of landscapes including wetlands, coastal scrub, sand dunes, and a 19th-century historic ranch. In addition, Año Nuevo State Park features a variety of walking trails to discover the unique flora and fauna present here, and you may also see foxes, bobcats, and coyotes. Another attraction is Lemos Farm which is a ranch-themed amusement park featuring exciting attractions for children including toy train rides, a petting zoo, toy car rides, and pony rides.

If you're looking for a restaurant, there are many restaurants close to Mavericks Beach. MEZZALUNA ITALIAN RESTAURANT is an upscale restaurant that offers excellent pasta, steaks, and seafood dishes and is renowned for its range of Italian desserts. Another great restaurant is Ketch Joanne Restaurant and Harbor Bar which offers excellent seafood dishes including fish-and-chips, crab omelets and clam chowder. As another option, the modestly-priced and family-friendly Jersey Joe’s Coastside serves excellent sandwiches and cheese-steaks in generous portions.

If you are looking for a hotel near Mavericks Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Oceano Hotel & Spa Half Moon Bay Harbor offers a grill, a bar, a fitness center, and a spa. A more affordable option is the 3-Star 1855 Zaballa House is set in a 19th-century mansion and offers a variety of amenities including complimentary breakfast, an elegant guest lounge, and an exhibition of artifacts that highlight Half Moon Bay’s vibrant history. Another good and affordable hotel is the modestly priced 2-Star Quality Inn which is conveniently located close to some of the major landmarks in Half Moon Bay and offers many amenities including complimentary breakfast and a fitness center.