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Moss Beach Information

Moss Beach is small coastal town in San Mateo County, south of San Francisco, California. Though it’s just 20 miles away, it feels like a world apart from the metropolitan Bay area. Moss Beach’s pride and joy are its marine protected areas, which hints at an abundance of untouched natural splendor throughout the land. With a cool coastal climate and mild summer temperatures, Moss Beach is a respite from the heat and congestion of the city.

Moss Beach is the place to enjoy all things nature. There may not be so many glamorous hotspots in town, but the superior air quality will get you out and about. You’ll want to stop by the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, where you can visit the tide pools and bluff top trails. It’s a California designated area of Special Biological Significance for being home to a unique variety of marine animals and birds. Seal Cove, aka Cypress Cove, is a secluded beach within the reserve where you can explore the tide pools and beach trails firsthand. Local geologists have also noted the area for a formation of outcroppings along the beach. Another protected zone that extends from Moss Beach is the Montara State Marine Reserve & Pillar Point State Marine Conservation Area. This region helps ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems. A California Point of Historical Interest in the form of a distillery also makes its home upon the cliffs of town. The Moss Beach Distillery doesn’t just have ties dating back to the Prohibition era, but also has its own ghost! The restaurant has been featured in ghost hunting programs such as Unsolved Mysteries and Sci-Fi’s Ghost Hunters.

Montara, California is a small community similar to Moss Beach within walking distance of the town’s center. It’s about a mile away, connected to Moss Beach by the Montara State Marine Reserve. The Montara Point Lighthouse and El Granada Beach are points of interest in town. Daly City is 13 miles away and home to the Cow Palace, an infamous indoor arena for concerts and the performing arts; Thornton State Beach; and Serramonte Center, a shopper’s paradise. For a larger radius of exploration, Half-Moon Bay is the coastal destination of choice for many city folks. It fits the picture perfect coastal town description to a tee with its romantic inns, fresh seafood and stretch of beaches. It’s less than 7 miles from Moss Beach and around 35 minutes south of San Francisco, a convenient distance for day trips and weekends away. If you head into San Francisco for the day, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz Islands are distinct Bay area destinations. Chinatown, Lombard Street or Angel Island are also exploratory points of interest. San Mateo, en enclave of the infamous Silicon Valley, is 20 miles away by car. Here you’ll find a blend of both natural and urban attractions for people of all ages.

There are a few accommodations particularly well known in the Moss Beach area. The Harbor Village Hotel, Seal Cove Inn and Ocean View Inn are romantic lodgings right along the coast. They’re a little pricey, but Moss Beach also has a range of alternative rentals for guests. You can rent entire homes, quaint cottages and even single bedrooms for your stay. Large parties of four or more may find it a new experience to rent out an oceanfront home just steps from the tide pools at Seal Cove. Or you might find a fully furnished cottage with a canyon view more to your liking. If you want to branch out, Moss Beach is so close to Montara, Princeton-by-the-sea and Half Moon Bay that booking accommodations nearby is also an option.

Moss Beach is definitely a place to explore on foot, with all the beaches, coves and trails in the area. If you’re heading into town from the airport, there are a number of private shuttle services that you can book in advance. There are 2 airports within 30 miles of Moss Beach, as well as 11 Amtrak stations. The BART, or Bay Area Regional Transit, services cities near Moss Beach including Millbrae Station (16 miles away), Daly City (13 miles away), and San Mateo (20 miles away).