| Area: 14 Acres | ||
| Lat: | ||
| Lon: | ||
| Nearby Services | ||
 |  |  |
| Site Facilities | ||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Join Our Mailing List |
|
For Email Marketing you can trust
|
|
Top Banner Photo Credits
Gary Skipper
American Pika
Rich Warren
Bullocks Oriole
Cindy Croissant
Yellow-faced Bumble Bee
Samira Furlan
Channel Islands National Park Island Fox
Annette Siegel
Young Oystercatcher
Chih-Hsin Wang
Great Egret
Kaelyn DeYoung
San Joaquin Antelope Squirrel
Gary Skipper
American Pika
Rich Warren
Bullocks Oriole
Cindy Croissant
Yellow-faced Bumble Bee
Samira Furlan
Channel Islands National Park Island Fox
Annette Siegel
Young Oystercatcher
Chih-Hsin Wang
Great Egret
Kaelyn DeYoung
San Joaquin Antelope Squirrel
© 2008-2026 California Watchable Wildlife and SnowlineGraphics.com
| Cowell Ranch Beach - Site # 61 | |||
| Background: | This bluff-top vista point is just a half-mile walk from the highway but a world apart. The trail is bordered by active coastal farms that have been growing artichokes, brussel sprouts, and other vegetables for more than 125 years. From this 150-foot-high marine terrace, there are excellent views of a harbor seal haulout on the rocks below. As many as 150 seals may use the site during the spring and fall. Hawks glide on thermal currents close to the bluffs. From spring to September brown pelicans and gulls swoop down for fish in the offshore waters. Shorebirds sometimes prowl the beach below, which is accessible by stairs at the vista point. | ||
| Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Observation platform | ||
| Viewing Tips: | Bring binoculars. Gravel trail is universally accessible. Marine birds and birds of prey visible year-round. | ||
| Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: | |||
| Staff On-site: | No | ||
| Open: | Everday | ||
| Hours: | sunrise - sunset | ||
| Year Round: | Yes | ||
| Road Information: |  Paved. | ||
| Road Hazards: | |||
 Number of Parking Spaces: 0 | |||
| Parking Fee: No | |||
| Proximity to viewing area: | |||
 Pull-Through Parking: No | |||
| Parking Notes: | |||
| How to Get There: | From Half Moon Bay, drive south on Highway 1 for 3 miles. Parking area for trailhead is on the west side of the road. | ||
| Contact Information | |||
| Managing Agency: | California State Parks | ||
| Agency Site URL: | |||
| Physical Address: | , CA |
Agency 2: | 95 Kelly Ave. Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 |
| Manager Phone: | |||
| Site Phone: | (650) 726-8819 | ||
| County: | San Mateo | ||
| Addition Website: | |||