Secluded oceanside living in Moss Beach
Between the verdant peaks of Montara Mountain and peaceful Pacific Ocean coves, Moss Beach is a small beachside community along the San Francisco Peninsula. Public green spaces and trails are within walking distance of most homes, while downtown San Francisco is just 22 miles away. “Locals love the secluded feel of Moss Beach while being within reach of the retail and restaurants of Half Moon Bay,” says Juliette Kulda, Lead Agent of Kulda Group with Keller Williams Advisors who has been working in the Bay Area for over a decade. “You have beautiful views of the water and gorgeous cliffside homes. It’s a small residential community with a few cafes and businesses, so you’re not getting the traffic or noise that you’ll find downtown or in Half Moon Bay.”
Cypress-lined streets and high-end single-family homes
Coast live oaks and cypress trees line residential streets and dot front lawns of cozy bungalows, coastal cottages and modern craftsman-style homes in Moss Beach. Property sizes range from around 5,000 square feet to half an acre and fenced-in back yards and attached two-car garages are common. Manufactured homes in the Pillar Ridge subdivision range from $240,000 to $370,000. Single-family homes can go for $950,000 to $3.6 million, with prices increasing with square footage and ocean views. “The highest prices are for the cliffside homes,” Kulda says. “You get a lot of large windows looking over the Pacific.”
A popular marine reserve and scenic trails
Moss Beach is home to numerous trail systems and oceanside natural areas. The James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve includes 32-acres of shoreline and over 300 acres of protected marine habitat. Visitors can walk along the reserves hiking trails or explore tidal pools at low tide. “The reserve is one of the main highlights of Moss Beach,” says Kulda. “The trails are lined with beautiful cypress trees. It’s common to see couples getting their engagement photos taken surrounded by the park’s natural beauty.” For more ocean views, Pillar Point Bluff has around 3 miles of winding trails popular among hikers and horseback riders. More mountainous trails can be found at McNee Ranch State Park, with over 10 miles of moderate to difficult paths leading to panoramic Pacific views. For a walk along the beach or a summertime swim, Montara State Beach, Moss Beach and Mavericks Beach all feature sandy shorelines. Moss Beach Park is home to a large playground and a basketball court.
Local eateries along the PCH
The Pacific Coast Highway runs through the center of Moss Beach and is lined with a small handful of businesses and amenities, including a post office, a Pilates studio and a few locally owned restaurants. El Gran Amigo Taqueria offers counter-service authentic Mexican fare, while Odyssey Pizzeria & Cafe serves coffee, Mediterranean-inspired sandwiches and specialty pizzas. Two doors down, The Coastal Vine is a casual lounge with wine tastings, small bites and weekly live music. Coastside Market has a small selection of groceries and snacks, while Safeway has a larger selection around 6 miles away in Half Moon Bay.
Career-based learning at Half Moon Bay High School
Local students may attend Farallone View Elementary School, which earns a B-plus grade from Niche. The B-rated Manuel F. Cunha Intermediate School has a variety of extracurriculars, including clubs centered around ecology, surfing, knitting and Star Trek. Half Moon Bay High School receives a B-plus grade and offers concurrent and dual enrollment courses through the San Mateo Community College District. High schoolers also have a wide array of career and technical education courses to choose from, ranging from digital design and marketing to agri-chemistry.
SamTrans bus access and driving to San Francisco and San Jose
Commuters are within 22 miles of downtown San Francisco via California Route 1 and Interstate 280, while San Jose is around 45 miles southeast. SamTrans operates the area’s bus routes, with stops along Route 1 and Etheldore Street. San Francisco International Airport is roughly 20 miles away.
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Written By
Jillian Pillow
