About Cowell Ranch Beach:
Cowell Ranch Beach is one of the prettiest on the San Mateo Coast, a small, curving stretch of golden sand protected by sheltering cliffs in the middle of an area that's been a ranch since the late 1800s. It's a quiet spot with little to do but relax and enjoy the views.
Cowell Ranch Beach Fees:
-
Entrance Fee: None
Parking Fee: None
Creature Comforts at Cowell Ranch Beach :
- Vault toilets at the parking lot and end of the path
- No pets allowed
Cowell Ranch Beach Activities:
- Bird watching (especially pelicans)
- Harbor Seals on the north beach February through May, with their pups March through April - visible from the clifftops but not accessible to the public
Highs and Lows at Cowell Ranch Beach:
- Beautiful location and lightly visited
- Small, beautiful beach
- Surrounded by pretty farm land
Beachgoer Beware:
The clifftops are unstable here. Stay away from the edge. Sand slides sometimes close the staircase that leads down to the beach, but it's a pleasant walk out on the trail anyway.
How to Get to Cowell Ranch Beach :
Cowell Ranch Beach is 3.3 miles south of Half Moon bay. The parking area is on the west (ocean) side of CA Hwy 1. It's about a quarter-mile walk from there to the cliffs above the beach, along a wide, well-maintained gravel road.
