gray whale cove state beach

When you are trying to find your way down the hill to the beach, go to your right instead of to your left. There are stairs that take you down to the beach. It is a beautiful and quiet beach!

It's just absolutely lovely here. I've been here at least 6 times, alone, with my husband, with my son, and with friends. Depending when you go, there will be a couple or quite a few others here, but everyone will feel like it's their own private space- the seclusive nature of the beach creates this kind of atmosphere. Stay for awhile like I do, before or after a delicious meal at Sam's Chowder House, one of my top ten restaurants in the country.

Meh. Small beach, not really swimmable due to the waves. A small parking lot is available as are a couple of disgusting portapotties. The stairs down/up are in good condition so it’s easily accessible. This beach just didn’t have any allure for me. The naked dudes aren’t a distraction – they seem to keep to themselves (they don’t bother me regardless). I lived in Pacifica for years and never stopped here. Now I know why.

I was enjoying my time with the family at this beautiful beach until I had to use the bathroom. There are two porta-potties at the top of the hill. When I entered the porta-potty that was slightly farther back I noticed a square hole cut out of the back wall, It looked like someone had previously tried to plug it with toilet paper but it had fallen out, so as I prepared to do the same, I noticed the legs of a person directly through the hole. I immediately jumped out and yelled and looked behind the toilet and saw a tall blonde man run away into the bushes. I called the police who came but couldn't find him so they took the report and said they would contact the park about getting new toilets installed possibly not so tucked into the bushes. Scary and gross.

We stayed in Half Moon Bay but on the morning of our departure we drove north to Monterra to the McNee Ranch State Park and the Gray Whale Cove trail. It is before the beach, and there is a tiny parking area off HWY One to the right. The trail is considered "moderate". There are some beautiful trees when you first start out: the kind that give a "hush" to everything. The trail is ruddy in places, and has beautiful flowers along the way. You go up and up so you get views all around. The trail comes back around to HWY One which you have to cross (no crosswalk or anything--take your chances) to get to the beach. For us it was the perfect length of a walk before we headed back home. It was refreshing to hear and smell the ocean and we enjoyed the sights and the walk very much. There are several trails which go way up to the mountains for those who are looking for athletic challenges! But the walk to the Gray Whale Cove from the "Ranch" area was perfect for us.

Visited this past week. Great beach with spectacular views. I was able to arrive around Noon and easily found a parking spot. I had read that the nude section was the north end of the beach. However, I stripped down south of the stairs (more towards the south end) I found the water to be easier to go in on that side of the beach (less rocks etc.) for a swim. At any rate, I believe I was the only nude sunbather on that side, I walked down the north end around 4 PM and most of that side of the beach were nudists. No one seemed to mind the nudists or the fact that I was nude on the southern side, I remember going to this beach years ago and it was about 80 percent nudists back then, now it's probably only about 15-20 percent nude. Mostly couples on the beach with some families, it was a great beach day. I look forward to returning later this summer, early fall.

As a newlywed nudist couple, we decided to give this beach a try. Highlights include free parking at the top of the cliffs, and the fact that you are separated very well by a large pile of cliff rocks. That made it hard to access the north side (nudist tolerated) area of the beach, but it provides a good amount of privacy. We started on the part closer to the rocks because there were children on the other side and we wanted to be respectful to that fact and hide ourselves better. However, a few older gentlemen kept hanging around us clothed peeping so we moved farther north. Didn't stop the show for them but made us more comfortable. The beach itself was very clean and no other nudists alarmed us. Very non social and heavy male presence but decent overall. Nice day spent here.

Just be aware that there is a long stairway down from road to the beach. Don't plan on carrying a lot of gear. Lots of parking.

Some of the "Natives" are not very friendly at this place. Most of them keep to themselves but a few old timers love to yell at surfers for using the beach. Apparently we're all perverts that love to watch and film old fat men with tiny junk walk up and down the beach. You're standing on a public beach naked, walk up to me and call me a pervert?! Why don't you go home, put some clothes on and check out your profile on Meganslaw.ca.gov ?

If you are looking for a quiet place to go and sit or walk on the beach, then this is the place for you. Not crowded, plenty of space to sit and ponder. Dolphins observed close by. Stairs take you down to the beach, though some people hike down the steep terrain. I enjoyed a few hours here. Too rough an area to swim for most people.

This is one of the prettiest beaches on the coast and for a long while (before they built the parking lots), it was easy enough to find a good spot to plant yourself and enjoy the sun, view and sound of the waves.The beach can be accessed via a steep flight of stairs, and for the most part, it is hidden from view from Hwy. 1. Perhaps it is for this reason that it is a clothing-optional beach, so be warned when bringing children with you.Having lived on the coast for >14 years, I kind of wish this beach stayed a secret because now we have to jostle for a spot with way too many tourists and parking is a nightmare when the weather is nice.

What is great about this beach is that 1. there is free parking on top of the cliff 2. very few crowds. Other beaches down the highway by Pescadero and further down Half Moon Bay have parking fees. They also ironically have more crowds. The beach itself is lovely, with a few surfers and nice sand and waves. The one downside is there was a man who was nude on the beach while there were children playing a few steps away... so beware if you come with family.

Was here a couple weeks ago with the Sacramento Traveler's Group on a day trip. We actually got to see several Gray whales on a whale watching boat tour we took. Loved spending the day here! Great seafood stops & shopping nearby. We had a great time!

We sat here in the late afternoon and had sparkling wine...great time! Part of the beach is supposedly nude but we didn't see any.

The view from above the beach is unreal, high cliffs over looking ocean is breath taking. Beaware that this used to be a nude beach and that activity still exists on this beach. My family and I encountered a nude sunbather being guarded by his very small but noisy dogs. Funny but I could have skipped that experience if given the choice.