San Gregorio State Beach is a stunning beach in a valley about 10 miles south of Half Moon Bay and a short drive from Silicon Valley in the South Bay Area. It has a big parking lot and a popular picnic area on the bluff above the beach. San Gregorio Creek flows down to the beach and pools before creating an exit route through the sand. At times this lagoon will fill most of the cove. Birds can be spotted at this location year-round. Logs and driftwood pile up in places around the lagoon and along the beach.

South of the creek, the beach stretches for over a mile below rugged cliffs to Pomponio State Beach. This is an excellent beach walk with high sandstone cliffs the entire way. North of the creek there are caves and fossils in the sandstone cliffs to investigate. Just be aware that if you venture far enough you’ll enter a clothing-optional beach with a separate privately-owned access (called San Gregorio Private Beach).