Seal Rock Viewpoint–Cowell Ranch Beach, 3 beaches
6.5 mi · ▲ 216 ft · 2 hr 16 min
Seal Rock Viewpoint–Cowell Ranch Beach, 3 beaches is a 6.5-mile out-and-back in Half Moon Bay State Beach near Half Moon Bay, CA. The route passes Cowell Ranch Beach before reaching Seal Rock Viewpoint at the turnaround, 3.3 miles in. It is mostly level, with 216 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 9/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Seal Rock Viewpoint–Cowell Ranch Beach, 3 beaches
6.5 mi · ▲ 216 ft · 2 hr 16 min
Elevation 57–159 ft
Out & Back · Half Moon Bay State Beach
Trailhead: 37.42234, -122.42674
Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:17 AM · sunset 8:16 PM
Transit-accessible: Canada Cove Avenue & El Paseo stop 783 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 0.5 miSharp left onto Cowell-Purisima Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftPass Cowell Ranch Beach.
- 2.9 miReach Seal Rock Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 2.9 miSharp right, heading NW.
- 0.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.0 mi in (~1 min). Leave by 7:55 PM for the 8:16 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:32 PM — 13 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: Canada Cove Avenue & El Paseo stop 783 m from the trailhead
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Cowell Ranch Beach 1.9 mi · ▲ 27 ft
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