62°
Sunny
0%
67
San Mateo County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Half Moon Bay State Beach
95 Kelly Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Four miles of beach along the San Mateo coast — Francis Beach (with the campground), Venice Beach, Dunes Beach, and Roosevelt Beach. The town of Half Moon Bay is the pumpkin capital of California (the World Championship Weigh-Off is here every October). Mavericks big-wave surf break is nearby off Pillar Point.
Today's Conditions
Great day for photography.
6.9ft waves · 62°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Sunny. High near 62, with temperatures falling to around 59 in the afternoon. West northwest wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Northwest wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Weather
- 62°F air — chilly for a beach day
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Safety
- UV 10 (extreme) — spf 50+ mandatory, limit mid-day exposure
- 6.9ft waves — big surf — strong currents, expert swimmers only
64 /100
good
55 Sunbathe
74 Walk
32 Fish
80 Photo
Best for photography today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
62°F
Sunny
Wind
14 mph
WNW
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
10 Very High
High 11 AM–04 PM · burn in ~20m
Burn-free before 08 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
60°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
—
Wave Height
6.9 ft
7s · WNW swell
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 5mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (PZZ545)
The MTR office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- CAZ505 SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
- CAZ509 SAN FRANCISCO AND SAN MATEO COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
- CAZ529 SANTA CRUZ COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
- CAZ530 MONTEREY BAY AND BIG SUR COASTAL AREAS n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
8:49 AM
Sunset
11:26 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:03 AM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 8:09 AM | Low | -0.7 ft |
| 3:51 PM | High | 4.3 ft |
| 7:57 PM | Low | 3.4 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
60°
Mostly Sunny
0%
67
66°
Mostly Sunny
0%
75
60°
Sunny
0%
67
62°
Mostly Sunny
3%
67
62°
Partly Sunny
8%
67
64°
Partly Sunny
13%
67
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 10 — very high
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
1:30 AM - 2:30 AM
Major
5:40 AM - 7:40 AM
Minor
10:50 AM - 11:50 AM
Major
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid state lots at each beach entrance; $10/day.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the beaches themselves. Permitted leashed on the Coastside Trail and in the campground and picnic areas.
Entry Fee
$10/vehicle state beach day-use.
Address
95 Kelly Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Half Moon Bay State Beach.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Half Moon Bay State Beach from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Half Moon Bay State Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on the beaches themselves. Permitted leashed on the Coastside Trail and in the campground and picnic areas.
Is there an entry fee at Half Moon Bay State Beach?
$10/vehicle state beach day-use.
Are there lifeguards at Half Moon Bay State Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Half Moon Bay State Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Half Moon Bay State Beach?
Amenities at Half Moon Bay State Beach include restrooms, showers, campground (Francis Beach), fire rings.
When is the water warmest at Half Moon Bay State Beach?
The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.
Where is Half Moon Bay State Beach located?
Half Moon Bay State Beach is in San Mateo County, CA, at 95 Kelly Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS