Miramontes Point Trail
- Accessible Restrooms
- Accessible Parking
Features
- Accessible Restrooms
- Accessible Parking
Information
- Address:
- West end of Miramontes Point Rd.
- Region:
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Hours:
- Always open
- Dogs:
- On leash
- Last Visited:
- May 2014
If you’re traveling through Half Moon Bay and want some spectacular, unobstructed ocean views, stop at Miramontes Point to stroll this mile-long trail. The route travels past and through a championship golf course, through the Ritz Carlton Hotel complex, and along ocean bluffs. Some may find the development bothersome, but it's a great spot to look for migrating whales from November through March. You’ll share the trail with locals walking their dogs, hotel guests, and an occasional golf cart.
Trails and Pathways
- Trail:
- Miramontes Point Trail
- Trailhead Location:
- At the public parking lot on Miramontes Point Rd.
- Trail Length:
- 1-2 total miles
- Typical Width:
- 4 ft. & above
- Typical Grade:
- Mostly gentle
- Typical Terrain:
- Hard
Trail Overview: Several hundred feet down the trail from the parking lot, a spur trail leads left across a bridge over Cañada Verde Creek and travels for only a few hundred yards before becoming the golf cart route. From the bridge you'll have a lovely view of the ocean and, during rainy season, of a waterfall.
Back on the main trail, follow the signs for beach access and trail; other signs indicate the golf course route. After a few hundred feet you reach a platform overlooking a pristine beach, with stairs down to it. This is a lovely spot to linger. Next you’ll travel uphill; at the crest, the Ritz and some luxury homes come into view. The trail is level from here until you reach the hotel, where it passes between the bluff’s edge and the hotel.
Beyond the hotel you cross an access road and turn left, passing along the east side of some hotel buildings and bungalows. At this point the trail climbs very steeply to a wooden bridge; on the other side, it becomes inaccessible. Unless you want to see some of the hotel grounds, I recommend that you turn around before you cross the service road and retrace your route, with a stop at the Ritz to have a drink on the patio.
Back on the main trail, follow the signs for beach access and trail; other signs indicate the golf course route. After a few hundred feet you reach a platform overlooking a pristine beach, with stairs down to it. This is a lovely spot to linger. Next you’ll travel uphill; at the crest, the Ritz and some luxury homes come into view. The trail is level from here until you reach the hotel, where it passes between the bluff’s edge and the hotel.
Beyond the hotel you cross an access road and turn left, passing along the east side of some hotel buildings and bungalows. At this point the trail climbs very steeply to a wooden bridge; on the other side, it becomes inaccessible. Unless you want to see some of the hotel grounds, I recommend that you turn around before you cross the service road and retrace your route, with a stop at the Ritz to have a drink on the patio.
More Info: The curb ramps where the trail crosses the hotel service road are steep.
Accessibility Features
The facilities listed below meet all of our access criteria unless otherwise noted.
- Accessible Parking:
- Yes – designated accessible parking, van accessible, firm, level or slope no greater than 2%;
Several accessible spaces are in the small lot on Miramontes Point Rd. The Ritz Carlton Hotel makes parking spaces, including accessible spaces, available for Coastal Trail hikers from sunrise to sunset. At the hotel gatehouse, the greeter will give you an access code and directions to the appropriate garage. If the gatehouse is unattended or you can’t access the keypad, or if no accessible spaces are available, talk to staff at the hotel’s valet area.
- Accessible Restroom:
- Yes – An accessible portable toilet is near the trailhead at the lot on Miramontes Point Rd.
