James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
About
James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a public ocean beach on the California coast, about 1.3 miles from the town of Moss Beach. It sits within the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Restrooms are available, and there is no fee to visit. Late summer and early fall tend to be the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station put September highs around 72°F with lows near 53°F, and rain falls on only a day or two a month from June through September. Winter is cooler and wetter, with January highs near 58°F and about 11 wet days. Several trails start close by. The Bluff Trail is less than half a mile away and the San Vicente Trail about 0.6 miles off. The Pillar Point Bluff Trail is roughly 1.3 miles away. Pacifica Headlands, a climbing area, lies about 5.8 miles up the coast.
Beach Details
Lifeguards
None
Parking
Available
Fee
Free
Restrooms
Yes
As published by the managing agency. Lifeguards, fees and dog rules are often seasonal, so check posted signs before you swim.
Location
James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
California
Data: California Coastal Commission, YourCoast public access data. Source metadata
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: Feb–Nov. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 60–72°F and lows of 46–53°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Pacifica 4 Sse, CA weather station, 5.3 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.
- Jan58° high45° low
- Feb60° high46° low
- Mar61° high46° low
- Apr64° high48° low
- May67° high49° low
- Jun69° high51° low
- Jul69° high52° low
- Aug71° high53° low
- Sep72° high53° low
- Oct70° high52° low
- Nov64° high50° low
- Dec59° high46° low
Where it is
- Fitzgerald Marine Reserve · Public land
- Nearest town
- Moss Beach, California · 1.3 mi
Source: NIFC Jurisdictional Units; USGS GNIS populated places
Nearby
Bluff TrailHikingPhoto: czarcats, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)0.4 mi
San Vicente TrailHikingPhoto: btwashburn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)0.6 mi- Spine TrailHikingPhoto: btwashburn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)1.1 mi
Ross' Cove TrailHikingPhoto: btwashburn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)1.2 mi- Pillar Point Bluff TrailHiking1.3 mi
- Farmer's Daughter TrailHiking1.4 mi
- Pacifica HeadlandsRock climbing5.8 mi
- Esplenade BeachCamping9 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Best time to visit James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
Best months: Year-round. 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
58° / 45°
11 wet
Feb
60° / 46°
11 wet
Mar
61° / 46°
9 wet
Apr
64° / 48°
6 wet
May
67° / 49°
4 wet
Jun
69° / 51°
2 wet
Jul
69° / 52°
1 wet
Aug
71° / 53°
1 wet
Sep
72° / 53°
2 wet
Oct
70° / 52°
4 wet
Nov
64° / 50°
7 wet
Dec
59° / 46°
10 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pacifica 4 Sse, CA, 5.3 mi away at 475 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.
