Half Moon Bay: Coastside Trail north from Francis Beach
California · Other separated ride
Head north on the signed Coastside hike/bike trail toward Venice Beach. Turn at one outward mile, before a public-road crossing, a work barrier or an uncomfortable bridge approach, whichever comes first. Retrace. Stay on the improved bicycle trail, east of the camping area. Exclude the parallel dirt horse trail, sand access ramps, campground roads and Roosevelt Beach / Pullman Ditch construction farther north.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Half Moon Bay · California
- Ride length
- Up to 2 miles
- Ride format
- Out-and-back
- Surface
- Asphalt path with possible wood bridge sections
- Road crossings
- Head north on the signed Coastside hike/bike trail toward Venice Beach. Turn at one outward mile, before a public-road crossing, a work barrier or an uncomfortable bridge approach, whichever comes first. Retrace. Stay on the improved bicycle trail, east of the camping area. Exclude the parallel dirt horse trail, sand access ramps, campground roads and Roosevelt Beach / Pullman Ditch construction farther north.
- Elevation
- State accessibility information describes a generally flat course below 5% slope. Its table reports 1% average and 4% maximum running slope for the described trail, with asphalt and wood surfaces. Those are published values, not a current survey of the parking approach; walk an uncomfortable transition.
- Starting location
- Francis Beach day-use parking, 95 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay, CA
Chosen maximum two-mile return; walking from parking is extra. The state’s 2.36-mile one-way accessible trail and broader three-mile Coastside description have different scopes and are not doubled here.
Approximate named facility/access-area reference. Follow the guide to its selected public visitor lot and signed path connection.
Half Moon Bay: Coastside Trail north from Francis Beach — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-20. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
Half Moon Bay, California · Up to 2 miles out and back · Asphalt path with possible wood bridge sections
Start: Francis Beach public day-use parking, Francis Beach day-use parking, 95 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay, CA. The state explicitly identifies day-use parking and accessible trail access at Francis Beach. Walk the signed connection east of the campground to the Coastside Trail. Use day-use spaces, not campground or extra-vehicle spaces.
Ride: Head north on the signed Coastside hike/bike trail toward Venice Beach. Turn at one outward mile, before a public-road crossing, a work barrier or an uncomfortable bridge approach, whichever comes first. Retrace. Stay on the improved bicycle trail, east of the camping area. Exclude the parallel dirt horse trail, sand access ramps, campground roads and Roosevelt Beach / Pullman Ditch construction farther north.
Distance: Chosen maximum two-mile return; walking from parking is extra. The state’s 2.36-mile one-way accessible trail and broader three-mile Coastside description have different scopes and are not doubled here.
Permission and effort: California State Parks expressly identifies the Coastal Trail as a hike/bike trail. State accessibility information describes a generally flat course below 5% slope. Its table reports 1% average and 4% maximum running slope for the described trail, with asphalt and wood surfaces. Those are published values, not a current survey of the parking approach; walk an uncomfortable transition.
Planning: 8 a.m. to sunset; choose daylight and follow posted lot gates. Current state profile lists $10 vehicle day use, with peak, weekend and holiday variations. Pay the posted rate; visitor-center admission is separate. Yield to walkers, keep dogs on a leash no longer than six feet and off the beach. No general campground speed rule is transferred to the path. This guide is for an ordinary pedal bicycle; check applicable posted rules before bringing an electric device.
Access: Reviewed October 20, 2026: state profile and accessibility page support Francis access. The profile still links Roosevelt / Pullman Ditch work: its April 1 notice forecasts three months but does not establish actual completion or bicycle through-access. This short Francis outing excludes that northern area. New fencing, sand, wet wood and posted restrictions govern.
Choose comfortable weather, bring water and check current signs before setting out. No parking-space pin, surveyed route or GPX is supplied.
Sources: State beach information · State trail accessibility · Roosevelt construction notice · Francis Beach arrival map