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Major city · United States

Moss Beach

Go for one half-day at low tide: Fitzgerald Marine Reserve tide pools, then a cliff walk. Sleep in Half Moon Bay or Pacifica, not here.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Moss Beach is a 3,100-person coastal town on Highway 1, 30–40 minutes south of San Francisco. Its one real draw is the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, where the tide pools only work at low tide. There is one inn and one restaurant, so most visitors come for a few hours and sleep in Half Moon Bay or Pacifica.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Apr–Oct (fog is heaviest Jun–Aug; check the tide table before any month)
avoid None closed; winter storms bring big surf and closed beaches
Airports
SFO · OAK
Nights
0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Moss Beach911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Moss Beach, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeUS$4–6
  • Sit-down mealMain course at Moss Beach DistillerycheckUS$25–45
  • Street or quick mealSandwich or picnic lunchUS$12–18
  • BeerBeer or wine at the DistillerycheckUS$9–16
  • Museum or sight ticketFitzgerald Marine Reserve entryFree
  • Budget bedPacifica motel room, a night, per roomUS$110
  • Mid-range bedSeal Cove Inn room (Moss Beach), a night, per roomUS$320
  • High-end bedSeal Cove Inn room (Moss Beach), a night, per roomUS$480

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$260

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve tide poolsFog and cypress cliffsMoss Beach DistilleryMontara State Beach next door
Airports
SFO San Francisco International (About 30–40 min north by car on US-101 and CA-1; no direct rail to Moss Beach.) · OAK Oakland International (About 1 h by car; longer in commute hours.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    not flagged

    14°C (57°F)

  2. Feb

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    16°C (61°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  5. May

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    17°C (63°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    14°C (57°F)

Best: Apr–Oct. Month by month →

Warmest Sep (21°C (70°F)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Moss Beach: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

14°C (57°F)

7°C (45°F)

11 rd

Feb

15°C (59°F)

8°C (46°F)

10 rd

Mar

16°C (61°F)

8°C (46°F)

10 rd

Apr

17°C (63°F)

8°C (46°F)

6 rd

May

18°C (64°F)

9°C (48°F)

4 rd

Jun

19°C (66°F)

10°C (50°F)

2 rd

Jul

19°C (66°F)

11°C (52°F)

1 rd

Aug

20°C (68°F)

11°C (52°F)

1 rd

Sep

21°C (70°F)

11°C (52°F)

2 rd

Oct

20°C (68°F)

10°C (50°F)

4 rd

Nov

17°C (63°F)

8°C (46°F)

8 rd

Dec

14°C (57°F)

7°C (45°F)

11 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the practical option: CA-1 is the only road through town and there is no rail. SamTrans buses run along CA-1 between Pacifica and Half Moon Bay, but stops are sparse and slow. Parking at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (end of California Ave) is limited and fills on weekend mornings.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Half Moon Baygo

Door to door: 10–15 min

Drive south on CA-1

More food and lodging; the harbour and Main Street are the draw.

Pacificago

Door to door: 10–15 min

Drive north on CA-1

Groceries, casual food and a long beach when the fog lifts.

San Francisco

go

Door to door: 35–50 min

Drive north on CA-1 and I-280

Do it outside 07:00–09:30 and 16:00–18:30, when the peninsula jams.

San Mateocaution

Door to door: 25–35 min

Drive east on CA-92

CA-92 backs up badly at the 101 junction; go mid-morning.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Moss Beach village (Cypress Ave area)

One inn, the Seal Cove Inn, a few hundred feet from the water. Book ahead; walk to the reserve.

Half Moon Bay

10–15 min south on CA-1. Most lodging and restaurant choice in the area.

Pacifica

10–15 min north on CA-1. Closer to San Francisco, cheaper motels, grocery stores.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
US$60–100 excl. bed (picnic food, one paid stop)
Mid
US$100–180 excl. bed
High
US$180+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Half Moon Bay motel or inn room1 × 1 night × US$220US$220
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130US$260
Rental car, one day1 × US$95 · checkUS$95
Fuel, San Francisco return1 × US$15US$15
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20US$40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$63
Trip total≈ US$347 per person per day, bed includedUS$693

2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeUS$4–6
Sandwich or picnic lunchUS$12–18
Main course at Moss Beach DistillerycheckUS$25–45
Beer or wine at the DistillerycheckUS$9–16
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve entryFree
Parking at the reserveFree, limited spaces

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very safe for a small coastal town; the real risks are the ocean and the road. Never turn your back on the surf, keep off closed rocks, and drive CA-1 slowly in fog.
  • Tide pools only work at low tide, and the best minus tides fall on a few days each month: check the tide table first.
  • Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a protected area: no collecting, no touching marine life, stay off closed rocks.
  • Cliff edges and beaches are unstable after rain; sneaker waves are a real risk on this coast.
  • Cell signal is patchy along the cliffs and in the reserve.
  • Fog can cut visibility on CA-1 to a few hundred metres: drive with lights on.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
San Mateo County Parks (Fitzgerald Marine Reserve)
+1 650-728-3584
California State Parks (Montara State Beach)
+1 650-726-8819

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moss BeachMoss Beach

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • San Mateo County Parks+1 650-728-3584

Embassy

No embassies here; consulates-general are in San Francisco. US visitors: your own country's consulate is in San Francisco.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • SFO → Moss Beach by car: about 30–40 min, US$45–70 by rideshare (check)
  • Moss Beach → Half Moon Bay by car: 10–15 min, about 8 km (5 mi)
  • SamTrans along CA-1: local fare, exact change or Clipper card (check)

Say or show

  • Is this the road to Half Moon Bay? — Is this the road to Half Moon Bay?
  • Where can I park? — Where can I park?
  • What time is low tide? — What time is low tide?
  • Card or cash? — Card or cash?

Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, US$1–2 a drink.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Moss Beach. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Oct (fog is heaviest Jun–Aug; check the tide table before any month) · avoid None closed; winter storms bring big surf and closed beaches · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Tide-window planner: minus-tide dates for Fitzgerald Marine Reserve with a fallback cliff walk when the tide is wrong.
  2. Parking reality check for the California Ave lot, with the Montara State Beach overflow option.
  3. Fog and visibility fixture for CA-1 so the drive verdict flips on the day.
  4. Half Moon Bay and Pacifica bed pages with same-day availability notes.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources