Hiking to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach, California

Looking for more outdoor adventures near the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve?
Stay overnight at Francis Beach Campground in Half Moon Bay, and go for a breezy bike ride on the California Coastal Trail.

CURRENT INFO

Find details about visiting, tide pooling, and more on the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve website. Additional information and trail maps are available on AllTrails.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Parking is free at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.
• Restrooms are located by the parking lot.
• Check out the small visitor center for good information about the local flora and fauna. Staff and volunteers sometimes offer guided hikes and other educational activities.
• Check the tide tables ahead of time to time your visit with low tide.
• Visit the tide pools to the north first at low tide. We heard this advice after visiting the pools at the southern end of the beach first. According to another visitor, more sea urchins and sea stars can be seen at the north end, but only when the tide is at its lowest.
• Pets on leash are allowed only on the Coastal Trail. They are not allowed on the beach or other trails.
• Bring sunscreen, shade hats, and sunglasses. Even on a cloudy day there can be a strong glare, and sunburn is possible.
• Bring water and snacks.
• Always follow Leave No Trace principles.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve showcases the wilder side of this section of the California Coast. With its tree-lined bluffs and white sandy beaches, you may forget just how close you are to Highway 1. Come at low tide if you can. This is when Fitzgerald Marine Reserve reveals its secrets, bringing to light a myriad of creatures normally hidden beneath the waves. Even if you can’t make it at low tide, the Bluff Trail offers breathtaking views with little effort, and is a great place to spot harbor seals.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve offers kids a world of wonders to explore. To make the most of your visit, check the tide tables to plan your visit for low tide, and bring a creature identification guide from the visitor center on your hike.

Our friends’ daughter was enamored with all there was to discover — abalone shells, crab skeletons, and tiny forests of sea anemones, just to name a few. My kids were less enthralled. “We’ve been to tide pools!” they protested, which I think was their way of saying they’d rather be riding their bikes. Nevertheless, they, too, had a fun time exploring the rocks and running in the sand.

Plus: seals! From the north end of the bluff, an entire colony of seals could be seen lounging on the offshore rocks. It’s a treat for all ages. As with any large mammals, keep your distance and follow any posted beach closures to protect them and their habitat.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

We visited the Fitzgerald Marin Reserve while camping at Francis Beach Campground in Half Moon Bay. It’s a great home base for exploring the area, with easy access to the California Coastal Trail. Be sure to bring your bikes for a ride along this lovely oceanfront trail.

During our stay, we enjoyed lunch at Sam’s Chowder House near the northern end of the California Coastal Trail and at Dad’s Luncheonette in Half Moon Bay. Located in an old caboose right off Highway 1, Dad’s is a fun choice if you’re looking for something unique.

From Half Moon Bay, it’s only an hour’s drive to beautiful San Francisco. Over the course of two days, we visited the Exploratorium, Alcatraz, Coit Tower, and took a ride on the famous cable cars. It was a small taste of what San Francisco has to offer, just enough to whet our appetite for more.

A few drops of rain spattered the ground as we pulled into the parking lot for the Fitzgerald Marine Preserve. It was only a 15-minute drive from Francis Beach Campground at Half Moon Bay, but felt worlds away. With no RVs in sight, we headed for the Bluff Trail, follow the handy signpost pointing the way.

The trail led across a wide bridge over a lush ravine. From here, the path followed the pines, their tops angled eastward from years of enduring the coastal winds. Soon, another sign pointed into the woods toward Seal Cove Staircase.

Seal Cove Staircase was quite the set of stairs! The kids quickly made their way down to the beach, while I paused to take in the view. Even under a dull grey sky, there is something mesmerizing about an ocean view.

Once on the beach, we were faced with a choice: right or left? There were two distinctly separate rocky shoals near shore, and we realized we had no idea which one offered the better tide pools. By now, the tide was already coming in, and we needed to make the most of our limited time. Ultimately, we chose to go left first, walking gingerly over the rocks while attempting not to step on any sea anemones. Those above water had pulled their tentacles in tight, making them almost indistinguishable from their rocky habitat.

A few shiny treasures could be found among the stones. Iridescent abalone shells stood out among the rubble. Carefully, we touched their fragile remains before leaving them gently where we found them.

After some time spent exploring, we turned back toward the beach. A flock of pelicans flew north over the burnt orange cliffs. I decided to follow their lead and head to the north end of the beach myself, where Michael had already wandered far out to the edge of the rocks. Apparently, we should have headed here first, as this was where the sea urchins and sea stars were hiding. They congregate in the lowest tide pools, and by now their homes were already submerged below the incoming tide.

Our explorations over, we turned back toward the stairs for the uphill climb. This time, we turned left at the top of the stairs and followed the trail along the edge of the bluff. It led past more pine and cypress, with the occasional break for expansive sea views.

At the north end of the trail, a small hidden beach lay nestled at the foot of the cliffs, while sharp rocks jutted out from the frothing sea. It’s here on these inhospitable rocks that the harbor seals congregate, seemingly oblivious to the crashing surf that surround them. In April, this beach, which is also part of the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, was off limits to all humans to provide a protected space for the seals and their pups. For today at least, they seemed to prefer their rough offshore islands to the sheltered beach.

Back at the parking lot, we checked out the exhibits at the visitor center. It’s small, but has a great collection of artifacts and information. The kids ran around, letting out some of their excess energy. Ah, to be young!

Fortunately, you don’t have to be young to enjoy a visit to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Who doesn’t like exploring tide pools, walking the beach, and watching harbor seals? Both the young and the young at heart, I say. It’s the perfect way to round out your visit to Half Moon Bay.