68°
Mostly Cloudy
2%
58
San Mateo County, CA · Pacific Ocean
Half Moon Bay State Beach
95 Kelly Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Four miles of beach along the San Mateo coast — Francis Beach (with the campground), Venice Beach, Dunes Beach, and Roosevelt Beach. The town of Half Moon Bay is the pumpkin capital of California (the World Championship Weigh-Off is here every October). Mavericks big-wave surf break is nearby off Pillar Point.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
NWS alert active · 55°F water
Full NWS forecast for Today
Mostly cloudy. High near 68, with temperatures falling to around 64 in the afternoon. West southwest wind 1 to 6 mph.
Tonight
Scattered rain showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. West wind 0 to 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Weather
- 68°F air — cool but workable
- Cloud cover — overcast reduces uv exposure but the vibe too
Water
- 55°F water — cold — wetsuit or stay dry
- 4.3ft waves — real surf — fun for confident swimmers, dicey for kids
Safety
- NWS alert active — coastal flood advisory issued july 12 at 5:38am pdt until july 15 at 4:00am pdt by nws san francisco ca
33 /100
skip
0 Swim
59 Sunbathe
75 Walk
32 Fish
82 Photo
Best for photography today
Water level 0.5 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Coastal Flooding Coastal Flood Advisory
Coastal Flood Advisory issued July 12 at 5:38AM PDT until July 15 at 4:00AM PDT by NWS San Francisco CA
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...Up to 1.7 ft of inundation above ground level is possible in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. * WHERE...Pacific Coast including Monterey Bay. * WHEN...Until 4 AM PDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Flooding of lots, parks, and roads with only isolated road closures expected. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...At the San Francisco tidal gauge, high tide is expected to be 1.6 ft above normal (7.4 ft MLLW) at 9:11 PM 7/11, 1.7 ft above normal (7.5 ft MLLW) at 10:06 PM 7/12, 1.7 ft above normal (7.5 ft MLLW) at 11:01 PM 7/13, 1.6 ft above normal (7.4 ft MLLW) at 11:55 PM 7/14. These predictions include both astronomical tides and roughly 3-6 inches of additional water mainly from a combination of thermal expansion and accumulated sea level rise since the tidal datum was established (1983-2001). High tide varies up to 90 minutes earlier or later along the Pacific Coast and through the San Francisco Bay, respectively.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
68°F
Fog/Mist
Wind
1 to 6 mph
WSW
Rain
2%
Today
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 06 PM
Tomorrow
71°F
Isolated Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Water
Water Temp
55°F
Cold
Next Low Tide
3:50 PM
3.2 ft · in 34m
Wave Height
4.3 ft
WNW swell
Barometer
29.93 inHg
1014 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · E. coli
USGS · sampled 7mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (PZZ545)
The MTR office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- CAZ505 SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
- CAZ509 SAN FRANCISCO AND SAN MATEO COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
- CAZ529 SANTA CRUZ COUNTY COASTAL AREAS n/a
- CAZ530 MONTEREY BAY AND BIG SUR COASTAL AREAS n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
8:58 AM
Sunset
11:31 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:27 AM | Low | -1.2 ft |
| 11:54 AM | High | 4.6 ft |
| 3:50 PM | Low | 3.2 ft |
| 10:06 PM | High | 7.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:18 AM | Low | -1.5 ft |
| 12:41 PM | High | 4.9 ft |
| 4:49 PM | Low | 3.1 ft |
| 11:01 PM | High | 7.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:06 AM | Low | -1.6 ft |
| 1:24 PM | High | 5.0 ft |
| 5:46 PM | Low | 2.9 ft |
| 11:55 PM | High | 7.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:52 AM | Low | -1.5 ft |
| 2:05 PM | High | 5.2 ft |
| 6:43 PM | Low | 2.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:48 AM | High | 6.8 ft |
| 7:36 AM | Low | -1.3 ft |
| 2:45 PM | High | 5.3 ft |
| 7:41 PM | Low | 2.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:41 AM | High | 6.2 ft |
| 8:19 AM | Low | -0.8 ft |
| 3:25 PM | High | 5.5 ft |
| 8:42 PM | Low | 2.1 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:35 AM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 9:00 AM | Low | -0.2 ft |
| 4:04 PM | High | 5.6 ft |
| 9:46 PM | Low | 1.9 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 9414290, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
71°
Isolated Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
24%
54
70°
Mostly Sunny
1%
67
67°
Mostly Sunny
0%
61
63°
Partly Sunny
1%
55
63°
Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy
2%
51
64°
Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy
5%
52
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- critical Wetsuit (if swimming at all) Water is 55°F — dangerously cold
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
9:10 PM - 10:10 PM
Major
1:10 AM - 3:10 AM
Minor
6:20 AM - 7:20 AM
Major
1:40 PM - 3:40 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid state lots at each beach entrance; $10/day.
Dogs
Dogs prohibited on the beaches themselves. Permitted leashed on the Coastside Trail and in the campground and picnic areas.
Entry Fee
$10/vehicle state beach day-use.
Address
95 Kelly Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Half Moon Bay State Beach today?
Half Moon Bay State Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Half Moon Bay State Beach dog-friendly?
Dogs prohibited on the beaches themselves. Permitted leashed on the Coastside Trail and in the campground and picnic areas.
Is there an entry fee at Half Moon Bay State Beach?
$10/vehicle state beach day-use.
Are there lifeguards at Half Moon Bay State Beach?
No lifeguards are stationed at Half Moon Bay State Beach. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Half Moon Bay State Beach?
Amenities at Half Moon Bay State Beach include restrooms, showers, campground (Francis Beach), fire rings.
When is the water warmest at Half Moon Bay State Beach?
The Pacific is cold. Southern California (San Diego to Santa Barbara) peaks in August at 65-72°F. Central and Northern California stay in the upper 50s to low 60s year-round. Oregon and Washington rarely exceed 60°F. Wetsuits are common.
Where is Half Moon Bay State Beach located?
Half Moon Bay State Beach is in San Mateo County, CA, at 95 Kelly Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS