11.5 MILES, 1 WAY, EASY. GOOD FOR: HIKING, BIKING, HORSES, ON-LEASH DOGS.
The Coastal Trail is approximately 11.5 miles from when done in its entirety from start to finish. You can start at either end, north at the Dardanelle Trail at Cypress Ave in Moss Beach, or south at the Cowell Ranch Trail south of Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay. There is currently no trail through Princeton Harbor, but one can walk on the roads and sidewalks. (view on Google Maps)The Coastal Trail will hopefully one day be contiguous between Canada and Mexico. The Half Moon Bay Coastside has done a great job of filling in most of the expanse along this portion of the San Mateo County coast. Walk all or part of this magnificent trail with some of the most spectacular coastal views of the state. You will encounter countless birds, sea life, and wildlife along the way. Frenchman's Creek Bridge and the John Hernandez Bridges cross picturesque creeks, enjoy cypress trees, and a eucalyptus grove among the sites. Golden orange California poppies, bright yellow beach primroses and pale yellow bush lupines line the trail. White-crowned sparrows sing from the top of nearly every coyote bush. Brush rabbits nibble along the trail's edge. You may even see a long-legged, long-eared jack rabbit bound across your path.
