San Gregorio State Beach lies just west of the junction of Highway 1 and Highway 84, south of Half Moon Bay. California State Parks describes a protected, driftwood-strewn estuary behind a wide sandy beach, with grassy bluffs along the coast. The estuary is home to many birds and small animals.
The lagoon
San Gregorio Creek widens into a small freshwater lagoon behind a sand berm that usually blocks the creek's mouth, so the water seeps through the sand into the Pacific. In the rainy season, the creek often cuts through the berm and flows straight to the ocean. The creek was historically a coho salmon spawning site.
History
California Historical Landmark 26 marks the passage of Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolá's expedition through the area in October 1769. The party camped here for several days to rest and treat its sick during its search for Monterey Bay, and went on to reach San Francisco Bay instead.
Rules
- Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. There is no camping; State Parks points campers to Half Moon Bay State Beach and Butano State Park.
- Dogs are not allowed on the beach at any time. The beach has been identified as nesting habitat for the western snowy plover.
- No beach fires, no drones and no collecting shells or driftwood.
Ocean safety
State Parks warns that the water is very cold year-round and that strong rip currents can pull even experienced swimmers offshore.