Pelican Point Beach(Manhattan Beach, Mira Montes Point Coastal Access, Miramontes Public Access)

Located in Half Moon Bay, Pelican Point Beach – also called Manhattan Beach, Miramontes Public Access, and Mira Montes Point Coastal Access – is a large beach with light brown sand. The beach is situated below a blufftop RV park and a blufftop golf course named Pelican Point RV Park and the Half Moon Bay Golf Links, respectively. Behind the beach lies a gulch, and the Cañada Verde Creek flows through it, eventually meeting the Pacific Ocean. For those staying at nearby accommodations like Moon Bay Resort, Pelican Point Beach offers a tranquil escape into nature.

Although Pelican Point Beach does not have lifeguards, the area near the beach provides a couple of amenities, including restrooms and walking pathways. Dogs are allowed on Pelican Point Beach without a leash, making it a popular spot for pet lovers. During high tide, the waves can come quite close to the cliffs, creating a dramatic landscape.

Pelican Point Beach offers many enjoyable activities, including beachcombing, sunbathing, tidepooling, wildlife watching, kayaking, fishing, canoeing, and boating. For those interested in exploring marine life, the tide pools at the northern part of the beach are a must-visit during low tide. The water near Pelican Point Beach is unsafe for recreational water activities such as swimming and surfing due to frequent dangerous rip currents. Depending on the time of the year, you can spot various animals in the water near Pelican Point Beach, including seals, sea lions, and migrating grey whales (between December and April).

The beach is a popular spot for pet lovers as it is one of the few beaches around Half Moon Bay where pets can roam without a leash. If you enjoy tidepooling, head to the coastal area north of Pelican Point Beach during low tide to explore the interesting tide pools.

Getting to Pelican Point Beach is easy. The access trail to the beach is located near 1001 Miramontes Point Road, and there is also a free parking lot nearby. The trail ends at a stairway that leads down the bluffside to Pelican Point Beach.

There are numerous attractions near Pelican Point Beach. Lemos Farm is a ranch-themed amusement park with exciting attractions for children, including toy train rides, a petting zoo, toy car rides, and pony rides. The James Johnston House, a local historical landmark built in the 19th century by prominent local businessman James Johnston, is part of the United States' National Register of Historic Places. It is open to visitors on the third Saturday of each month between 11 am and 3 pm, except between October and December.

For golf enthusiasts, Half Moon Bay Golf Links, located on the bluff above Pelican Point Beach, offers two challenging 18-hole golf courses, bocce ball courts, and a restaurant. Another nearby attraction is Quarry Park, a 517-acre county park featuring amenities like barbecue spots, 10 picnic tables, a restroom, a children's playground, and a hiking trail that meanders through a eucalyptus hillside, offering Instagram-worthy views of the Pacific Ocean. The park also has a community garden currently under development.

Whether you're staying at Moon Bay Resort or visiting for a day, Pelican Point Beach provides a picturesque setting with a variety of activities and nearby attractions to explore.

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants near Pelican Point Beach. The Ocean Terrace is an upscale restaurant offering a lovely oceanfront fine dining experience and offers excellent New American and seafood dishes. Ketch Joanne Restaurant & Harbor Bar offers excellent seafood dishes including fish-and-chips, crab omelets, and clam chowder. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Pelican Point Beach, the modestly priced Tres Amigos offers delicious Mexican dishes including burritos, quesadillas, and enchiladas.

If you are looking for a hotel near Pillar Point Marsh 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 offers many amenitiesincluding a restaurant, a bar, a spa, and a fitness center. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Beach House - Half Moon Bay which offers many amenities including complimentary continental breakfast and weekend wine tasting sessions, a fitness center, a pool, a hot tub, and a spa. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Pelican Point Beach, the modestly priced 1-Star Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Half Moon Bay is located conveniently close to some of the major attractions in San Mateo County and offers complimentary breakfast.