From Pacifica to Pescadero and south to the Santa Cruz County line, San Mateo County has 75 miles of stunning, rugged coastline. Development has been minimal, but a detailed history lurks among these rocky coves, sandy beaches, and barking sea lions. After European contact, Portuguese fishermen set up shop here, establishing themselves throughout the coast and pulling in a remarkable catch from the waters. Others soon joined and built the larger cities of Half Moon Bay and Pacifica, along with smaller communities like Montara, El Granada, and San Gregorio. Fishing and agriculture have coexisted here for decades, along with government operations such as Coast Guard light stations, defense artillery bunkers, and the Air Force station at Pillar Point.

From Pacifica to Pescadero and south to the Santa Cruz County line, San Mateo County has 75 miles of stunning, rugged coastline. Development has been minimal, but a detailed history lurks among these rocky coves, sandy beaches, and barking sea lions. After European contact, Portuguese fishermen set up shop here, establishing themselves throughout the coast and pulling in a remarkable catch from the waters. Others soon joined and built the larger cities of Half Moon Bay and Pacifica, along with smaller communities like Montara, El Granada, and San Gregorio. Fishing and agriculture have coexisted here for decades, along with government operations such as Coast Guard light stations, defense artillery bunkers, and the Air Force station at Pillar Point.

Many of California’s most alluring attractions are found along the coast from San Francisco Bay to Monterey Bay: Alcatraz Island, San Francisco’s waterfront, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Point Lobos. This easy-to-use, up-to-date, comprehensive guidebook is the essential companion for visitors—sightseers, hikers, swimmers, surfers, campers, birders, boaters, and anglers—who want to explore California’s fabulous shoreline. The book describes some 350 shoreline destinations, including every known publicly accessible beach along the coast of Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties. It also lists wildlife reserves, marinas, and public parks, and includes descriptions of plants and animals, places where dogs are welcome, nature centers, aquariums, and much more. The guide features: • 53 color maps that show topography, roads, trails, bicycle routes, and other features • 299 color illustrations • Sidebars on shipwrecks, railroads, aviation, and other aspects of California history • Descriptions of geologic formations, wildflowers, tidepools, and beaches • Information on recreational outfitters, whale-watching trips, surf shops, and more