At the Half Moon Bay State Beach, visitors can camp, fish, swim, surf and even try horseback riding on the trail above the beach. Located west of Highway 1, the four-mile beach has three parking lots that each give access to a different section: Francis Beach, Venice Beach and Dunes Beach. During weekends and holidays, a lifeguard is on duty.
A visitor center is open on weekends. Campers should make advance reservations by contacting Reserve America at 1-800-444-PARK (7275), or online at www.reserveamerica.com. Fires, fireworks and dogs are not allowed on the beach at any time.
For those who don't want to leave Fido behind -- or would like to have the beach experience without getting sand between their toes -- it's possible to catch panoramic views from the picnic tables and the campgrounds.
Another option is walking, biking or running along the Coastside Trail, which overlooks the waves for an additional three-mile stretch. There's a generous smattering of benches, too. But be careful before setting out that picnic spread: Low-flying seagulls are plentiful.