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California Coastal Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 860 Google reviews · Running trail in Half Moon Bay, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from California Coastal Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Popular scenic coastal trail with ocean views running through a golf course, with limited parking.
What runners say about California Coastal Trail
“Beautiful views, but I was not prepared to ride the bike back up a steep hill if I dared to ride down the trail.”
One of the best trails with incredible views. Park your car by the Ritz Carlton hotel public parking garage for free or in the Redondo beach lot and walk to this trail. Never disappointed, breathtaking views 24/7.
We went to the California Coastal Trail near the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay on a weekday, as parking on the weekends can be almost impossible. It is a leisurely one-hour round-trip walk from the Miramonte Point Road parking lot near the hotel, along the golf course to the beach and back. The view is beautiful.
If you pick a popular time, you'll have to fight for parking to utilize the super easy beach access! So, come me early, enjoy the beach when no one is around... Weekdays before 10 am and you'll have it almost all to yourself - if you are lucky!!
A wonderful way to get exercise and explore the beautiful coastline of Northern California. The California coastal Trail winds up and down the oceanside shore and takes you through some of the most stunning vistas in the country, perhaps the world.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful views, but I was not prepared to ride the bike back up a steep hill if I dared to ride down the trail.”
“We went to the California Coastal Trail near the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay on a weekday, as parking on the weekends can be almost impossible.”
“Beautiful views, but I was not prepared to ride the bike back up a steep hill if I dared to ride down the trail.”
“The paved Trail Winds it’s way along and Parallel to the Cliffs high above the Pacific Ocean.”
Plan your run at California Coastal Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–7 PM |
Running trails near Half Moon Bay
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trailhead
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Half Moon Bay
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Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
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California Coastal Trail
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