San Gregorio State Beach

San Gregorio State Beach is another of the chain of lovely beaches between Half Moon Bay and Año Nuevo State Park along the San Francisco Peninsula coast. Characterized by 200-foot bluffs and a large, driftwood-strewn estuary, San Gregorio at low tide is also a beach that can be walked quite far in either direction. The driftwood is one of the highlights of this beach, but to access it one must cross San Gregorio Creek, which might require a bit of wading if recent rains have swelled the creek. Many people build shelters or sculptures out of the driftwood, which makes a unique landscape at times.

There are restrooms, plenty of parking spaces and lots of picnic tables on the bluff above the beach. With the right tide conditions, it is possible to hike south along the beach three miles to Pomponio State Beach and over a mile north. But be aware that about a mile north is a private, fee-based, clothing-optional beach that does not restrict access from the beach side but which may surprise beach walkers who don't expect it.