Camper submitted image from Half Moon Bay State Beach - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Half Moon Bay State Beach - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Half Moon Bay State Beach - 3
Water
Camper submitted image from Half Moon Bay State Beach - 4
People
Camper submitted image from Half Moon Bay State Beach - 5
Activities

Established Camping

Half Moon Bay State Beach

25 Reviews

Warning 5 Alerts are In Effect

There are 5 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

<p>Visitors who will be checking in after Sunset must call the campground at 650-726-8820 by 3pm on the day of check in to receive afterhours check in instructions</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p>California State Parks wants to thank our park visitors for helping us keep our parks and environment clean. In 2018, State Parks installed new RV dump station collection systems at ten state park units as part of a pilot program to help us protect the environment and are added amenities for our visitors.&nbsp;</p> <p>Following the success of the initial pilot program in 2018, an additional eleven park units have been added to the program.&nbsp; The service is available for campers, day-use or transient visitors for $10-$20 per use, depending on the location. Please note that visitors with current reservations arriving on or after April 13, 2021, who are interested in using the RV dump stations may be required to pay the use fee. The price per campsite for these state parks does not include the use of a dump station.&nbsp; View the following link: &nbsp;<a href="https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1029">Camping Information</a></p>

Sweetwood Group Camp Rules: Check-in time: 2:00 p.m. A $10 cash-only key deposit is required at check-in time. Must check in at Francis Beach campground to receive key to access entrance gate. Checkout time: 12:00 noon. Site must be vacated and key returned to Francis Kiosk by noon. 50 people and 12 vehicles maximum. No RVs or trailers ___ tent camping only. Keep tents in the designated area and to the east of the cypress trees. Youth groups must have adult supervision. Please do not hang hammocks from trees. All vehicles must display proper tags and park only in the designated parking area. Vehicles are not permitted to drive into the camping area to load or unload. Dogs must be ON LEASH at all times and must be in a vehicle or with a person in a tent overnight. NO DOGS ALLOWED ON THE BEACH. Collecting wood or driftwood is not allowed. Firewood is available for purchase at the park. Ground fires are prohibited. Use the fire ring and BBQs provided. Quarter-operated showers are available at Francis - $0.50 for two minutes of hot water. Secure food from wildlife. Lock or securely stow valuables (especially bicycles). All vehicle travel must be limited to the access road and parking area. Vehicles off road are prohibited (CCR4355).

<p><strong>Francis Beach Campground Rules</strong></p> <ul> <li>Check out is at 12 p.m. Check in begins after 2 p.m.</li> <li><strong>Switching sites is not permitted.</strong></li> <li>Rental RVs are not allowed to be dropped off or picked up from the park.</li> <li>Generators must be off between 8 p.m. to 10 a.m.</li> <li>Quiet time is 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.</li> <li>Dogs must be ON LEASH no longer than 6 feet at all times. Dogs outside must be attended at all times. Dogs cannot be left outside at night. They must be confined to a vehicle or tent at night.</li> <li>No dogs allowed on the sand.</li> <li>8 people maximum per campsite including children.</li> <li>One RV (recreational vehicle) per campsite.</li> <li><strong>Only 1 vehicle is included in the campsite fee</strong>. Up to 3 vehicles are allowed per campsite, BUT the extra vehicles are required to pay Extra Vehicle fees. Legally towed trailers/vehicles count toward the total of 3 vehicles but are not required to pay the Extra Vehicle Fee.</li> <li>Vehicles must fit in the campsite on pavement and out of the roadway or use the Extra Vehicle Parking. Parking on the grass is prohibited.</li> <li>Collecting wood or driftwood is not allowed. Firewood is available for purchase at the park.</li> <li>Beach fires are strictly prohibited.</li> <li>Ropes, lines, swings, and hammocks may not be fastened to any tree.</li> <li>Campers under the age of 18 must get Supervising Ranger approval. Each person under 18 must have written consent from a parent/guardian in order to stay.</li> <li>Dumping grey water is only allowed at the Dump Station.</li> <li>No attaching hoses to spigots or cords to other site&rsquo;s electrical outlets.</li> <li>Games that are disruptive to other campers or to the environment are prohibited. Drones are prohibited.</li> <li>Speed limit in the campground is 10 MPH.</li> <li>Radios and other sound-producing devices must not be audible beyond the campers&rsquo; immediate campsite.</li> </ul>

<p>The following campgrounds of the Santa Cruz District are collectively restricted to an occupancy limit of 30 days by the same person(s), equipment or vehicles in any calendar year: [CCR 4455(a)]</p> <p>Big Basin Redwoods State Park (Including Little Basin sub-unit)</p> <p>Butano State Park</p> <p>Castle Rock State Park</p> <p>Half Moon Bay State Beach</p> <p>Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park</p> <p>Manresa State Beach</p> <p>New Brighton State Beach</p> <p>Portola Redwoods State Park</p> <p>Seacliff State Beach</p> <p>Sunset State Beach</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

About

State Park

Francis Beach has a campground with 52 individual sites, some suitable for tent camping, others for trailers or recreational vehicles. Some campsites have electrical hookups. Water and sewer hookups are not available, but there is a dump station ($10 fee) and a water filling station. Rental RV’s are not allowed to be dropped off or picked up from the park.

Coin-operated hot showers are also available. (approximately 2 minutes per quarter)

Suggest an Edit

Is Half Moon Bay State Beach sold out?

Quickly grab cancellations!

Learn More

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Fair
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Big Rig Friendly

Rent an RV near Half Moon Bay, California

Find RVs Nearby

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

52%
32%
10%
12%
0%

4.0

out of 5

25 Reviews

FThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Nov. 8, 2023

Nice place and nice people

I am so lucky to stay here one night! Thanks, Bob! Welcome to BC !

Month of VisitDecember
Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Oct. 20, 2023

Nice Respite Along the Beach

We rarely make reservations to camp in California Beach Parks, as they are usually filled up weeks or even months in advance. While meeting up with some friends in Half Moon Bay we happened along the campsite and simply enquired if they had an open site for the night. They did, and we ended up staying for 2 nights due to a cancellation.  It never hurts to ask!  

The campsite is a nice quiet stretch of grass, live oak trees, and beach shrubs about 30 vertical feet above the Pacific beach shoreline.  While you get away from the blowing sand, you get to hear the pounding ocean at night. I can’t imagine a more gentle lullaby, frankly. The sites themselves are a little close quarters, but all provide just about enough space for a long camper and a tow/towed vehicle as well.  For a small camper like us, there’s even enough room to have a friend visit. 

The sites offer electrical and water hookups, additionally there is a dump station just as you exit the camping area. Showers and flush toilets are available, but also used by all the beach goers in the area, so you know what they look like....never clean.

The town of Half Moon Bay offers pretty much everything you need in terms of restaurants or grocery stores. Riding your bike, or walking along the path toward town for a well-earned brunch should definitely reach the top of your to-do list while you’re there.  We had brunch at Mavericks Creparie and dinner at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company.  Both are absolutely fantastic!

Beachcombing, sunbathing, swimming, horseback riding, and skim boarding during the warmer months also are great ways to fill up the day. The beach path goes for miles in either direction so you can get some exercise off of the main roads.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Half Moon Bay State Beach by Shari  G., October 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Half Moon Bay State Beach by Shari  G., October 20, 2023
  • Review photo of Half Moon Bay State Beach by Shari  G., October 20, 2023
  • (10) View All
MThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2023

Amazing Beach Camping

Campsites are right by the beach. Campsite 38 has an extraordinary view of the beach. Wonderful trail along the beach line. Showers were clean and spacious with great pressure and warm water. We went during Labor Day weekend and the campground was full so the bathrooms were not very clean. Having said that, I would highly recommend this campground.

Site28
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Half Moon Bay State Beach by Maria O., September 5, 2023
  • Review photo of Half Moon Bay State Beach by Maria O., September 5, 2023
  • Bunny heaven
    Play button icon

Location

Half Moon Bay State Beach is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

The beach is located a half-mile west of Highway 1 with 3 parking lots in the City of Half Moon Bay. The three parking and beach access points are below: Francis Beach, at the end of Kelly Avenue in the City of Half Moon Bay. Venice Beach, at the end of Venice Boulevard off Highway 1. Dunes Beach, at the end of Young Avenue off Highway 1.

Address

95 Kelly Ave
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Coordinates

37.4688245007 N
122.445841032 W

Open in Google Maps