Half Moon Bay - Pillar Point Harbor Directions

From North and East Bays cross either the Golden Gate or Bay Bridge and go to Highway 280. Head south to the Highway 92 off ramp the go east on Highway 92 over the coast range to the town of Half Moon Bay. Go north on Highway 1.

As you get close to the harbor side town of Princeton, look for parking near the restaurants at the southeast end of the harbor breakwater. This is the preferred launch site, however it is important to respect the private parking. If it is crowded do not park in this lot. Instead go to the public beach parking lot 400 feet to the south and carry your stuff to the pathway winding down to the water. If the tide is low walk along the narrow beach at the inside edge of the breakwater to get a better angle to the wind.

If you are good at pointing there is another option: continue on Highway 1 and go left on Capistrano Street to Prospect Way. Make a left on Broadway and pick a parking lot near the beach. Watch out for a sand bar at lower tides and rocks close to the headland downwind. The sand bar at this site has some fun tiny breaking waves at the right tide.