About This Beach
Pomponio State Beach is a wide, sandy beach situated in a valley along Highway 1 between Half Moon Bay and Pescadero. The beach sits at the mouth of Pomponio Creek, which forms a small lagoon that attracts shorebirds and creates a protected area for wading. Sandy cliffs and coastal scrub vegetation frame the beach, providing a scenic backdrop against the Pacific Ocean. The beach offers picnic facilities with barbecue grills and is particularly known for good fishing opportunities, especially for surf perch. During winter and spring, the offshore waters are part of the gray whale migration route, making it a good whale watching location. Despite its accessibility, Pomponio often remains less crowded than other San Mateo County beaches, especially on weekdays.