AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Half Moon Bay State Beach Viewpoint–Cowell Ranch Beach, 3 beaches

6.1 mi · ▲ 248 ft · 2 hr 9 min

Half Moon Bay State Beach Viewpoint–Cowell Ranch Beach, 3 beaches is a 6.1-mile out-and-back near Lobitos, CA. The route passes Cowell Ranch Beach before reaching Half Moon Bay State Beach Viewpoint at the turnaround, 3 miles in. It is mostly level, with 248 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 8/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi56 – 177 ft6.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Cowell-Purisima Trail 37.39632, -122.41561
Nearest town Lobitos, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Half Moon Bay State Beach Viewpoint–Cowell Ranch Beach, 3 beaches

6.1 mi · ▲ 248 ft · 2 hr 9 min

Elevation 57–178 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Cowell-Purisima Trail · 37.39632, -122.41561

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:17 AM · sunset 8:16 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Cowell-Purisima Trail, heading W.
  2. 3 miPass Cowell Ranch Beach.
  3. 350 ftBear left, heading SW.
  4. 400 ftReach Half Moon Bay State Beach Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  5. 3 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/half-moon-bay-state-beach-viewpoint-out-back

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 6:17 AMSunset 8:16 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 7:56 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 8:16 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 8:44 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Hikes near Lobitos, California