Seal Cove(James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve)

Located in the city of Moss Beach, Seal Cove - also known as Cypress Cove and Cypress Beach - is a beach with beige sand. Seal Cove is situated below oceanfront bluffs and it is also a part of a county-protected marine reserve named Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. There are hiking trails located behind the beach that leads to a nearby cypress forest. 

Seal Cove offers many fun activities including beachcombing, sunbathing, tidepooling, wildlife watching, and hiking. Seal Cove does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly. Getting to the Seal Cove is easy – the large staircase to the beach islocated near the intersection between Cypress Avenue and Beach Way, Moss Beach. As an alternative access option, you can park at the free main parking lot of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve which is present near the intersection between Lake Street and California Avenue. From there, you can hike a half-mile on the Moss Beach Trail which starts near the parking lot and leads to Seal Cove. 

There are many attractions near Seal Cove. Pillar Point Bluff Park features many hiking and biking trails including the Jean Lauer Trail, Frenchman’s Reef Trail, Ross’ Cove Trail, and the Pillar Point Bluff Trail. These trails offer amazing Instagram-worthy views of the Moss Beach coastline. Lemos Farm is a farm-themed amusement park that offers many activities including pony rides, train rides, hayrides, petting zoo, and bounce houses. Rancho Corral de Tierra is a protected park in western San Mateo County that offers many fun activities including hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. You can also spot a wide variety of animals here including grey foxes, bobcats, coyotes, and mountain lions. If you are looking for another attraction near Seal Cove, McNee Ranch State Park is a scenic state park that offers an amazing biking experience and is famous among local mountain bikers. The state park also has an eight-mile-long hiking trail that is moderately difficult, and you can see an amazing variety of wildflowers while hiking here.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Seal Cove. Moss Beach Distillery offers a pleasant oceanfront dining experience and serves delicious fish tacos, lobster roll, seafood risotto, and coastline crab cakes. Mezza Luna Restaurant is known for its amazing Italian dishes. The restaurant has a pleasant ambiance and serves excellent meatballs, ravioli, and lasagne. Harbor Pizza serves delightful pizzas, calzones, and pasta. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Seal Cove, El Gran Amigo Taqueria features a Mexican menu and serves fajitas, burritos, and tacos.

If you are looking for a hotel near Seal Cove, there are many great nearby options. If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is 15 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including a pool, an outdoor fireplace, a tennis court, a kids club, and a fitness center. As another upscale option, the 4-Star Pullman San Francisco Bayis 30-minutes away by car and offers a bar, a pool, a fitness center, and tennis court. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Beach House - Half Moon Bay that offers an ocean-front outdoor pool, a spa, a gym, and complimentary breakfast. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Seal Cove, the modestly priced 2-Star HI Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel has a lounge with board games and is located near major attractions.