CALIFORNIA COASTAL TRAIL:
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA SECTION:
HALF MOON BAY-PACIFICA-SAN FRANCISCO-M, CALIFORNIA
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: June 30, 2025
Length: Coastal Trail; Half Moon Bay Section: 5.4 miles
Coastal Trail; Route 1 Trail/Naomi Patridge Trail: 3.6 miles
Coastal Trail; Devil's Slide Trail Section: 1.3 miles
Coastal Trail; Pacifica Section: 6 miles
Coastal Trail; Presidio of San Francisco Section: 1.7 miles
Coastal Trail; Golden Gate Bridge Trail Section: 2 miles
Difficulty: Coastal Trail; Half Moon Bay Section: Easy. Flat paved trail. Headwinds possible.
Coastal Trail; Route 1 Trail/Naomi Patridge Trail: Easy. Flat paved trail w/short on-road section.
Coastal Trail; Devil's Slide Trail Section: Moderate to Difficult. Old paved road w/a long steep hill. Possible strong headwinds.
Coastal Trail; Pacifica Section: Moderate. Paved trail with hills. Headwinds possible.
Coastal Trail; Presidio of San Francisco Section: Moderate to Difficult. Paved & BIKE LANES with some steep hills.
Coastal Trail; Golden Gate Bridge Trail Section: Easy. Mostly flat paved trail, however, the headwinds can be very strong.
Directions:
To Start from the Pillar Point Harbor parking lot in Half Moon Bay for the California Coastal Trail; Half Moon Bay Section [Northern End]; From Routes 1 & 92 in Half Moon Bay, follow Route 1 north for 3.8 miles and turn left on Capistrano Rd. Take your first left to the parking lot.
To Start from the Poplar Street parking lot in Half Moon Bay for the California Coastal Trail; Half Moon Bay Section [Southern End]; From Routes 1 & 92 in Half Moon Bay, follow Route 1 south for 0.8 miles. Turn right on Poplar St and follow to the end.
To Start from the Devil's Slide Southern parking lot in Pacifica for the Devil's Slide Trail [Southern End]; From Routes 1 & 92 in Half Moon Bay, follow Route 1 north for 9.7 miles. Just before the tunnel, turn left into the parking lot.
To Start from the Devil's Slide Northern parking lot in Pacifica for the Devil's Slide Trail [Northern End]; From Routes 1 & 92 in Half Moon Bay, follow Route 1 north for 10.7 miles. Just after you emerge from tunnel, turn left into the parking lot.
To Start from the San Pedro Ave Plaza parking lot in Pacifica for the California Coastal Trail; Pacifica Section [Southern End]; From Routes 1 & 92 in Half Moon Bay, follow Route 1 north for 11.7 miles. Turn left on San Pedro Ave. Turn right into the plaza and right to the trailhead.
To Start from the Battery East parking lot in the Presidio of San Francisco for the California Coastal Trail; Presidio of San Francisco Section [Northern End] & Golden Gate Bridge Trail Section [Southern End]; From the junction of Routes 1 & 101 travel north on Route 101. Take exit 439 to Lincoln Blvd. Take your 2nd left into the Battery East parking lot (Fee). From this parking lot follow the Battery East Trail (either side of the parking lot) West, up to the Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point South.
If you continue along Lincoln Blvd and take your next left, North, down Long Ave, it becomes Marine Dr. You'll find free parking on your right for FORT POINT NHS .
The California Coastal Trail is being developed to create a continuous, interconnected public trail system spanning over a 1,230 miles from the Oregon border South, to Mexico. Approximately 70% of the California Coastal Trail is completed, as of 2025. I have checked out several trails of the Central Section, including in Half Moon Bay, Pacifica & San Francisco. I also checked out the Golden Gate Bridge Trail, which connects to the Northern Section in Marin County. The Golden Gate Bridge Trail is also part of the San Francisco Bay Trail . For more information visit; CA COASTAL TRAIL .
California Coastal Trail; Central Section:
California Coastal Trail; Cowell-Purisima Section:
I have not checked out this section.
California Coastal Trail; Half Moon Bay Section:
Starting from the Johnson Pier parking lot (No public parking) [Northern End]; Map Board. The paved California Coastal Trail travels East, past Half Moon Bay Kayak, then alongside Pillar Point Harbor Blvd.
Note; Across Pillar Point Harbor Blvd is the Pillar Point Harbor parking lot.
Come to the Pillar Point Harbor Boat Launch (restrooms) and cross the road. You now travel along Pillar Point Harbor Beach, before coming to Pillar Point. More restrooms & a water fountain. You now travel alongside Route 1, with El Granada Beach below. Big surfing spot. You then travel through an open field at 0.9 miles.
Note; The old dirt trail travels above the bluff, however, it is slowing eroding into the sea. Use Caution.
Cross a bridge and come Magellan Ave at 1.2 miles. Map Board, BIKE STATION & restrooms. Continue right, for a brief on-road section to Mirada Rd. A SEPARATED BIKE LANE continues South, alongside the road and above Miramar Beach. Just before a pedestrian bridge, look left to spot Ocean Studio (interesting building and artwork). Cross Mirada Rd and continue above the bluffs, with lots of flora & fauna and Cypress trees. The trail then pulls inland, passing by the *Naples & Roosevelt Beaches parking lot. Cross Young Ave at 2.3 miles and pass by the Half Moon Bay State Beach; Dunes Beach Parking Lot (restrooms). The trail turns inland at 2.6 miles, at an overlook, passing by Sweetwood Camp along your left. Turn right over a long bridge across Frenchmans Creek. Pass by the Half Moon Bay State Beach Parking Lot (restrooms), before crossing Venice Blvd at 2.9 miles. Pass by more Half Moon Bay State Beach Parking Lots (restrooms). Wide open bluffs with potentially strong headwinds. Cross Kelly Ave and travel past the Francis Beach Campground, Half Moon Bay State Beach Visitor Center and another Half Moon Bay State Beach Parking Lot (restrooms). Just before **Kelly Rd turns left, the trail turns right across Kelly Rd at 4 miles. The trail now travels above the bluffs, along open fields, to the ***Poplar Street parking lot & Poplar Beach at 4.8 miles. This was as far as I traveled.
Note; A paved trail travels 0.25 miles East, alongside Poplar St to Railroad Ave. If you look right, you can spot the old Ocean Shore RR Depot, now a residential home. The old rail bed is no longer visible. You can then continue on-road (low traffic) along Poplar St out to Route 1 after 0.6 miles. Here you can access the Route 1 Trail. See; Below.
Continuing South, above the bluffs, the trail turns inland, crossing Seymour Bridge. The trail then turns back along the bluffs. The paved trail ends after 5.4 miles.
Note; Plans are underway to extend the trail South, to the Redondo Road parking lot & Redondo Beach, through the Wavecrest Open Space area, during 2025. It will consist of crushed gravel. See; Map Below.
From the Redondo Road parking lot [Northern End]; [Re-zeroing Mileage] I have not checked out this section. The paved California Coastal Trail continues South, alongside Thone Ave, before turning inland, East. It then turns South, traveling through the Half Moon Bay Golf Links. (Caution; Golf carts on trail?) Pass by the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, where you now follow along the coast. Trail splits by Manhattan Beach (either route), past which you turn right and cross a pedestrian bridge over Arroyo Canada Verde at 1 mile.
Note; If you continue straight, East, at the bridge entrance, it will bring you to the Miramontes Point Road parking lot. A BIKE LANE then continues right, East, taking you 0.6 miles out to Route 1.
The trail then continues through the golf course along the bluffs. Come to an overlook, where the trail turns left after 1.4 miles.
Note; I believe a Gap exists here, according to the map. It looks as though you may continue South, alongside the bluffs via a hard packed dirt trail. This would take you another 0.4 miles to the California Coastal Trail; Cowell-Purisima Section after 1.8 miles. See; Map for route.
Route 1 Trail/Naomi Patridge Trail; Half Moon Bay Section:
The Route 1 Trail can be used to create a Loop, along with the California Coastal Trail. It also provides access to downtown Half Moon Bay.
Starting from Route 1 & Poplar Street [Southern Section]; West, on-road (low traffic) along Poplar St, will bring you to the ***Poplar Street parking lot for the California Coastal Trail. See Above.
Note; Heading South, this trail exits town and travels along the Western Side of Route 1. After 0.5 miles you can access a cross light over Route 1.
Note; This will bring you to the start of Main St. You can then follow Main St, North, on-road through Historic Half Moon Bay's downtown. Lots of shops & restaurants.
Continuing South, the trail abruptly ends, just past Wavecrest Rd after 0.8 miles.
Heading North, the wide, paved Route 1 Trail travels through Half Moon Bay, along the Western Side of Route 1 for 0.5 miles to Kelly Ave.
Note; East, across Route 1, just down Kelly Ave is BIKE WORKS , which is where we rented bikes from. West, on-road along **Kelly Ave will bring you to Half Moon Bay State Park and the California Coastal Trail.
A Gap North. Travel on-road (wide shoulder) to San Mateo Rd at 0.8 miles. Here, the Route 1 Trail is called the Naomi Patridge Trail. See; TrailLink; Naomi Patridge Trail .
Note; West, part of the paved Naomi Patridge Trail travels alongside San Mateo Rd, before quickly turning left.
Note; A pedestrian bridge crosses Pilarcitos Creek out to Oak Ave, where a paved trail travels West, through Oak Ave Park after 0.2 miles. Restrooms, playground & picnic tables.
South, the paved Naomi Patridge Trail travels through the scrub, before crossing the creek and heading East, underneath Route 1. It then takes you Northeast, up to San Mateo Rd after 0.4 miles. Right, East, will bring you to Main St. Here you can travel South, on-road through Historic Half Moon Bay's downtown. Lots of shops & restaurants.
The paved Naomi Patridge Trail travels North, along the Western Side of Route 1. At 1.3 miles the trail travels along the median between Route 1 and Frontage Rd. At 1.9 miles you lose Frontage Rd. You cross a bridge over Frenchmans Creek, before a cross-light takes you over Route 1 at 2.2 miles. Here, the trail continues North, along the Eastern Side of Route 1, ending after 2.8 miles across from Roosevelt Blvd.
Note; If you cross Route 1 (Caution; No crosswalk/high speed traffic) and travel West, on-road (residential) to the end of Roosevelt Blvd, you can access a dirt path that will bring you to the California Coastal Trail & *Naples & Roosevelt Beaches parking lot.
California Coastal Trail; Devil's Slide Trail:
Starting from the Devil's Slide Southern parking lot [Southern End]; Map Board & restrooms. The wide, paved Devil's Slide Trail utilizes a portion of old Route 1, that was closed after a tunnel was built. The trail starts a moderately steep climb North, up to the Southern Overlook at 0.3 miles. Very scenic. High cliffs above the ocean. Informational signs. The trail becomes steeper as you travel up to the Northern Overlook at 0.9 miles. The trail then turns East, inland and begins a moderate descent, passing by beautiful tall blue flowered plants, that look like a sea of blue cacti. Pass by another restroom, Map Board & BIKE STATION before coming to the Devil's Slide Northern parking lot after 1.3 miles. Straight takes you out to Route 1 and the Northern End of the tunnel.
California Coastal Trail; Pacifica Section:
Starting from the San Pedro Ave Plaza parking lot [Southern End]; The flat, paved California Coastal Trail travels North, alongside San Pedro Ave, crossing San Pedro Creek, before quickly coming to the end of San Pedro Ave.
Note; I have not checked out this section. If you bare right, out to Route 1, a crosswalk will take you over to a paved trail which travels South, back alongside Route 1. It then bares left, into the low scrub, bringing you to San Pedro Terrace Rd after 0.6 miles.
Travel past a parking lot & San Pedro Beach, where you'll spot lots of surfers. You briefly travel through a fast food parking lot and continue between another parking lot and the beach. The trail then parallels Route 1 before starting a long, gradual climb up a hill at 0.6 miles. The trail levels out as you come back alongside Route 1 at 1 mile. This was as far as I traveled. You then start a steep descent, utilizing a switchback trail, down to the Rockaway Beach parking lot at 1.3 miles. Restroom. Travel around the parking lot, where a bridge takes you out to Nick Gust Way. Short on-road (low traffic) section. Turn left on Rockaway Beach Ave and pick up the wide, cement trail on your right at 1.5 miles. Just past a parking lot, turn right along a gravel trail and return to the paved trail. The trail turns inland, through grassy fields and foothills. Long, gradual hill climb. Pass by rows of Memorial Gardens, before coming to the Calera Creek Water Recycling Road parking lot at 2.2 miles. The trail now continues North, alongside Route 1, up a long gradual climb. Come to Mori Point Rd at 2.6 miles. Head left, on-road (low traffic) up to Old Mori Road and head left to the parking lot. Map Board & restrooms. This wide, hard packed dirt trail travels West, up a slight grade, past the foothills. You then follow a boardwalk, past a marsh (informational signs) to an intersection at 3.2 miles.
Note; Left, South, a hard packed trail leads up into the foothills, where you can access multiple trails along the bluffs, including Mori Point. (Mt Bike or E-Bike recommended)
This hard packed dirt & sand trail continues North, along the coast. This section looks like it can be rough in spots, with sand. This brings you to Beach Blvd & Clarendon Road at 3.8 miles. Parking lot. A more narrow paved trail continues North, along the coast, parallel to Beach Blvd. Watch out for sand on the trail. Pass by the Pacifica Municipal Pier, before coming to Paloma Ave after 4.3 miles. Travel right, East, on-road to Palmetto Ave and continue left, North along a BIKE LANE. Just past a long green fence on your left and before a long brown fence is a wide paved lot on your left at 5 miles. Caution; No crosswalk. Enter this lot, where you'll pick up the paved trail on your right, past the fence. This trail, which I believe is a 2-Way BIKE LANE, travels North, past an RV park. Pass back through a fence to Esplanade Ave, where a paved trail continues alongside this road. It abruptly ends after 5.3 miles. Gap. You'll need to travel on-road (residential, however, No shoulder; Not recommended for kids on bikes). Pick up the narrow, cement trail at 5.7 miles, which continues alongside the coast. The trail travels inland ending at Palmetto Ave after 6 miles.
Gap to the next section North, in Daly City, which travels through Mussel Rock Park.
California Coastal Trail; Daly City Section:
I have not checked out this section.
California Coastal Trail; Presidio of San Francisco Section:
Starting from the Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point South; This is where the flag pole is located, along with a bridge replica. Restrooms, Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, Round House Cafe, Battery Lancaster, informational & Map Boards all surround the Vista Point South plaza. Great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point NHS & the San Francisco skyline. Exit the Vista Point South plaza via a narrow path out the West Side, to an *Intersection next to Route 101.
Note; Right, North, the Golden Gate Bridge Path follows along the Eastern Side of the bridge. Both bikes & pedestrians can utilize this path, although bikes are restricted during certain times. See; BIKES; GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE .
Note; Left, South, a cement path takes you alongside Route 101, then down past the Round House Cafe to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center. Across the entrance road are restrooms.
Heading sharp right, East, along the paved California Coastal Trail; Presidio of San Francisco Section takes you down to an **Intersection for the Battery East Trail.
Note; Right, Southeast, the paved Battery East Trail, which is also part of the San Francisco Bay Trail, travels high above San Francisco Bay below. See; San Francisco Bay Trail .
Head left, Southwest, along the paved California Coastal Trail; Presidio of San Francisco Section, you travel underneath Route 101 and come to another ***Intersection at 0.1 miles.
Note; Left, North, is the start of the paved Golden Gate Bridge Trail, which is part of both the California Coastal Trail & San Francisco Bay Trail, which takes you up to the cement Golden Gate Bridge Trail, which travels along the Western Side of the bridge. See Below.
Continue straight, South, along the crushed gravel California Coastal Trail; Presidio of San Francisco Section, which is also part of the Presidio Trails. This trail travels high above the Bay, past the remnants of Battery Marcus Miller & Battery Boutelle. The trail then follows alongside Lincoln Blvd, with Battery Godfrey along your right. Next come open views, high above the Bay, before coming to a crosswalk after 0.7 miles.
Note; The California Coastal Trail; Presidio of San Francisco Section continues straight, however, you have the option of following the road (on-road & BIKE LANES) or utilizing hard packed dirt trails.
This was as far as I traveled. A narrow dirt trail continues alongside the road or travel on-road downhill. Past Kobbe Ave a BIKE LANE picks up heading uphill.
Note; At 1.1 miles, the crushed gravel California Coastal Trail veers right, away from the road, down to Battery Chamberlin, Baker Beach & Battery Chamberlin Road parking lot. Restrooms. Past here the trail is on-road.
Past Pershing Dr at 1.4 miles, BIKE LANE both directions. Come to El Camino Del Mar at 1.7 miles, where the road turns West and you exit the Presidio of San Francisco Section.
California Coastal Trail; Golden Gate Bridge Trail Section:
Starting from the Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point South; This is where the flag pole is located, along with a bridge replica. Restrooms, Golden Gate Visitor Center, Round House Cafe, Battery Lancaster, informational & Map Boards all surround the Vista Point South plaza. Great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point NHS & the San Francisco skyline. Exit the Vista Point South plaza via a narrow path out the West Side, to an *Intersection next to Route 101.
Note; Right, North, the Golden Gate Bridge Path follows along the Eastern Side of the bridge. Both bikes & pedestrians can utilize this path, although bikes are restricted during certain times. See; BIKES GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE .
Note; Left, South, a cement path takes you alongside Route 101, then down past the Round House Cafe to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center. Across the entrance road are restrooms.
Heading sharp right, East, along the paved California Coastal Trail; Presidio of San Francisco Section takes you down to an **Intersection for the Battery East Trail.
Note; Right, Southeast, the paved Battery East Trail, which is also part of the San Francisco Bay Trail, travels high above San Francisco Bay below. See; San Francisco Bay Trail .
Head left, Southwest, along the paved California Coastal Trail; Presidio of San Francisco Section, you travel underneath Route 101 and come to another ***Intersection at 0.1 miles.
Note; Straight, South, the crushed gravel California Coastal Trail; Presidio of San Francisco Section, which is also part of the Presidio Trails continues. See Above.
Left, North, the paved Golden Gate Bridge Trail, which is part of both the California Coastal Trail & San Francisco Bay Trail, takes you up to the cement Golden Gate Bridge Trail, which travels along the Western Side of the bridge. [No pedestrians allowed. Notice; You may encounter high winds. Narrow path, which may be tough for kids on bikes, considering some cyclists travel at a high speed. Sharp curves around supports]. Great views of the Bay, along with the Marin Headlands. Cross the bridge and come to the Conzelman Road parking lot in Marin County after 2 miles.
Note; Just before the Conzelman Road parking lot, you can access a set of pedestrian stairs that will take you underneath the bridge, East, to Vista Point (views of the Bay & Bridge).
Note; The California Coastal Trail; Marin County Section begins here. Head left, to the West Side of the parking lot, where the trail continues straight, West. This section consists of a narrow, hard packed trail, hilly & steep with some stairs. Not recommended for bikes. Instead I would utilize Conzelman Rd.
Note; The San Francisco Bay Trail continues from here. Head left, to the West Side of the parking lot. Head left, past the gate along Conzelman Rd (closed to traffic). This will take you down a steep hill and underneath the bridge to Moore Rd after 0.6 miles, where the trail continues on-road.
HH
CLICK HERE FOR COASTAL TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR PRESIDIO TRAILS MAP
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT