Half Moon Bay State Beach / Francis Beach
About
Half Moon Bay State Beach / Francis Beach is a public ocean beach in California, about 0.3 miles from the town of Half Moon Bay. It sits within the San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit. Restrooms are on site, and the beach has accessible access. A fee is charged, and dogs are allowed. Late summer into early fall is the most comfortable stretch. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Half Moon Bay show highs around 66°F from August through October, with only six to eight wet days a month, while winter brings highs near 59°F and about 13 to 14 wet days a month. Several trails lie within a few miles. The Coastal Trail is about 1.9 miles away, the California Coastal Trail about 2.3 miles, and the Midcoast Multi-Modal Trail about 2.6 miles. For climbing, Handley Rock Park is about 9.7 miles off.
Beach Details
Lifeguards
None
Dogs
Allowed
Parking
Available
Fee
Fee charged
Restrooms
Yes
Accessible access
Yes
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
Half Moon Bay State Beach / Francis Beach
California
Data: California Coastal Commission, YourCoast public access data. Source metadata
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: Mar–Nov. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 60–66°F and lows of 44–54°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Half Moon Bay, CA weather station, 0.5 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.
- Jan59° high43° low
- Feb59° high43° low
- Mar60° high44° low
- Apr61° high45° low
- May62° high48° low
- Jun64° high50° low
- Jul65° high53° low
- Aug66° high54° low
- Sep66° high51° low
- Oct66° high48° low
- Nov63° high45° low
- Dec59° high43° low
Where it is
- San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit · Public land
- Nearest town
- Half Moon Bay, California · 0.3 mi
Source: NIFC Jurisdictional Units; USGS GNIS populated places
Nearby
Coastal TrailHikingPhoto: Christopher Michel, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)1.9 mi
California Coastal TrailHikingPhoto: btwashburn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)2.3 mi- Midcoast Multi-Modal TrailHiking2.6 mi
Burleigh-Murray Ranch TrailHikingPhoto: scorpio-tiger, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)2.9 mi- Meadow TrailHiking3.1 mi
Cowell-Purisima TrailHikingPhoto: btwashburn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)3.6 mi- Alta Vista TrailMountain biking6.5 mi
- Handley Rock ParkRock climbing9.7 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Best time to visit Half Moon Bay State Beach / Francis Beach
Best months: April–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
59° / 43°
14 wet
Feb
59° / 43°
13 wet
Mar
60° / 44°
14 wet
Apr
61° / 45°
9 wet
May
62° / 48°
7 wet
Jun
64° / 50°
5 wet
Jul
65° / 53°
7 wet
Aug
66° / 54°
7 wet
Sep
66° / 51°
6 wet
Oct
66° / 48°
8 wet
Nov
63° / 45°
11 wet
Dec
59° / 43°
13 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Half Moon Bay, CA, 0.5 mi away at 27 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
