Pomponio State Beach

About

Pomponio State Beach provides access to miles of gently sloping, sandy beaches at the base of high sandstone bluffs. This day-use facility features a small lagoon, roaring surf, a wide parking area, picnic tables and barbecues. The sand beaches tend to be quite narrow and, in some places, are inundated at high tide. The largest beaches occur at the mouth of Pomponio Creek, Long Gulch and Dairy Gulch. The latter two gulches are small drainages and normally carry water only in the winter.

Learn more in the California State Parks brochure.

Operating Hours

Day-Use Area 8 a.m. to Sunset

Directions

The beach is located 12 miles south of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1.

Things to do

Beach Area

Visitors enjoy swimming, surfing, windsurfing and fishing.

Picnic Area

There are barbecues and picnic tables for public use.

Fees and Passes

Parking is $8 and supports the park. Credit card payments are encouraged.

Annual State Parks passes also are available to purchase at the entrance kiosk.

Services

Restrooms
Picnic areas
Barbecues

History

Pomponio State Beach is in the unceded homelands of the Ohlone Tribe known as the Oljon, who stewarded these lands since time immemorial. Centuries of colonial violence led to the removal and displacement of the Oljon. Today, their descendants continue their stewardship and presence here, in partnership with State Parks.

The creek and park were named for an Native American from the Yokut-speaking people in the San Joaquin Valley who was given the name Pomponio when he was an alcalde at Mission Santa Clara. He became a resistance fighter against the mission system and had a mountain hideout at the headwaters of Pomponio Creek.

Regulations

Dogs are prohibited on the beach at all times.
No beach fires are allowed and fireworks are prohibited.
Please refrain from removing shells, driftwood and other natural beach features.

Recreate Responsibly

Before you visit, check the Recreate Responsibly page to protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these measures during your visit.