Surfers Beach(El Granada Beach, Surfer's Beach)

Located on the northern end of the city of Half Moon Bay, Surfers Beach – also known as Surfer’s Beach and El Granada Beach – is situated alongside Pacific Coast Highway / California State Highway 1 adjacent to the rock jetty at Pillar Point Harbor. The beach is narrow and has light brown sand, to prevent erosion portions of Surfers Beach along Pacific Coast Highway have been fixed by man-made rocky embankments.  

Surfers Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities except restrooms and walking trails, but dogs on leash are allowed.

Surfers Beach offers many activities including wildlife watching, skimboarding, fishing, sunbathing, beachcombing, swimming, snorkeling, boogie boarding, bodysurfing, paddleboarding, biking, kayaking, canoeing, boating, and surfing. While the surfing waves here are inconsistent, the water near Surfers Beach typically provides fun and smaller low-risk waves. However, if you are planning to go into the water at Surfers Beach, we recommend being careful as the water here is known for having rip currents. If you are looking for more exciting and advanced surfing spots, the nearby Mavericks Beach is only two miles away and offers gigantic, thrilling, but dangerous waves for very advanced and expert surfers.

Surfers Beach and its surrounding areas are threatened by erosion by ocean water, which has prompted the City of Half Moon Bay and the local community there to undertake restoration projects to save the beach. The water near the beach is home to a variety of animals including sea lions, seals, dolphins, and migrating whales (between December to April). You can also fish here - popular catches here include salto, halibut, and surfperches. However, if you’re going to fish here, make sure you are complying with the local fishing regulations on Surfer’s Beach. If you like hiking and biking, a part of the nearby California Coastal Trail offers a way to explore the vibrant coastal landscape of northern Half Moon Bay.

Getting to Surfers Beach is easy - the entrance to the beach is located near 4000 Cabrillo Highway North. Once you arrive, there are free parking lots near the adjacent Pillar Point RV Park and across the highway from the beach entrance on Obispo Road.

There are many attractions near Surfers Beach. Harley Farms is a goat dairy farm that offers informative and exciting tours within its premises along with cheese-tasting sessions and a farm shop that features a variety of goodies made from goat milk. La Nebbia Winery offers exciting tours of its wine gardens on weekends along with wine tasting sessions, and also has a bocce court and picnic areas. Another attraction is the Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve which is set among groves of towering redwoods and offers biking, hiking, and equestrian trails that offer an interesting peek into the vibrant flora and fauna.

If you're looking for a restaurant, there are many restaurants within a 20-minute drive of Surfers Beach. The Conservatory is an upscale restaurant offering a pleasant view of the Pacific Ocean and serves delicious sandwiches and seafood dishes. Half Moon Bay Joe’s serves delicious Italian and American breakfast dishes including pasta, eggs, French toast, and burgers in generous portions. Another great and modestly priced restaurant in Half Moon Bay Coffee Co. offers delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, quesadillas, and wraps along with excellent coffee.

If you are looking for a hotel near Surfers Beach, there are many nearby hotels. The 4-Star Oceano Hotel & Spa Moon Bay Harbor offers many amenities including a grill, a bar, a fitness center, and a spa. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Beach House Hotel Half Moon Bay which offers a complimentary breakfast, afternoon wine sessions, fitness center, a pool, a hot tub, and a spa. Another good and affordable hotel is the modestly priced 2-Star Harbor View Inn which is located conveniently close to some of the major attractions in the city of Half Moon Bay and offers complimentary breakfast.