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Mountain biking trails

San Mateo County

Wavecrest Open Space Preserve – Miramontes Point loop from Half Moon Bay State Beach

Mountain biking trails

San Mateo County

Wavecrest Open Space Preserve – Miramontes Point loop from Half Moon Bay State Beach

Moderate

4.5

(2672)

6,059

riders

Wavecrest Open Space Preserve – Miramontes Point loop from Half Moon Bay State Beach

02:02

33.1km

290m

Mountain biking

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 21, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Half Moon Bay State Beach

Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve

Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park

Waypoints

A

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1

4.53 km

Poplar Beach, with bike pump & repair station

Highlight • Rest Area

Besides Kelly Ave, Poplar Street is one of only two beach access roads in the central town area of Half Moon Bay. The beach is long and in its entirety paralleled by a bike trail, so if something breaks or you have a flat this is a good place to fix it.

Tip by

2

5.56 km

Wavecrest Open Space Preserve

Highlight • Trail

This nature preserve has more than a mile of multi-use trails — mostly singletrack. It's also a serious hot spot for birding, and there's access to a quiet beach as well.

Tip by

3

8.55 km

Miramontes Point

Highlight • Viewpoint

A public easement guarantees that everyone can use the coastal trail, between the beach bluffs and the fancy Ritz Carlton golf links.

Tip by

4

8.94 km

Manhattan Beach

Highlight • Beach

The paved Coastal Trail leads you down a set of steps to Manhattan Beach where Cañada Verde Creek disappears under the sands into the ocean. This is a popular spot with beautiful foliage during the summer, and a great spot to stop for views along the Coastal Trail.

Tip by

5

10.5 km

Half Moon Bay State Beach

Highlight • Beach

The paved road dead-ends on a cliff overlooking the Harbor Seal Preserve and the long spectacular sandy Cowell Ranch Beach (southern part of Half Moon Bay Beach State Park), accessible here with a long stairway across from the trailhead restrooms. For sublime coastal biking a dirt trail heads north along the edge of the tall cliffs, and on gravel pavement going south.

Tip by

6

19.6 km

Purisima Creek Redwoods trailhead

Highlight • Trail

As you explore, you will find yourself surrounded by a dense canopy of trees that offer ample shade all day long. Feel free to make use of the nearby stream to take a break and fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking surroundings.

Tip by

7

20.7 km

Higgins-Purisima Road

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

Paved narrow road with very little car traffic, a biker's paradise back road, connecting between the coastal trail and the trails climbing up into the open space preserves on both sides of Skyline Blvd.

Tip by

8

29.9 km

Half Moon Bay 🏕️ Francis Beach Campground

Highlight • Rest Area

Large, laid-back campground with several zones just for tents on the cliffs above the beach, and a $5 hiker/biker section

Tip by

B

33.1 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

14.4 km

13.2 km

3.03 km

1.80 km

669 m

Surfaces

24.0 km

4.38 km

3.86 km

560 m

290 m

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Elevation

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (230 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

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Weather

Powered by Foreca

Wednesday 15 July

21°C

12°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

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Description

If you're seeking a mountain biking route that combines stunning Pacific Ocean vistas with varied terrain, the Wavecrest Open Space Preserve – Miramontes Point loop from Half Moon Bay State Beach is an excellent choice. This moderate 20.5-mile (33.1 km) ride, with 939 feet (286 metres) of elevation gain, can be completed in about 2 hours and 1 minutes, making it a rewarding option for riders looking for scenic coastal mountain biking trails routes without an all-day commitment.

What to expect on Wavecrest Open Space Preserve – Miramontes Point loop from Half Moon Bay State Beach

This route offers a dynamic journey along the California coast. Starting near Half Moon Bay State Beach, you'll connect to the California Coastal Trail, leading you into the Wavecrest Open Space Preserve. Here, the trail transitions to mostly easy singletrack through open fields, offering panoramic coastal bluff views and passing a notable line of cypress trees. While generally flat, be prepared for some rutted and washboarded sections. As you continue towards Miramontes Point, the scenery shifts to include a championship golf course and the impressive Ritz-Carlton Hotel complex, with some steeper grades in this area that might challenge less experienced riders. The consistent ocean views are a highlight, and the preserve is a significant spot for wintering raptors and whale watching during migration season.

Planning your visit

The trail is accessible from Half Moon Bay State Beach, a convenient starting point. While the Wavecrest Open Space Preserve mountain biking difficulty is generally easy, some sections near Miramontes Point can have steeper grades and potential loose gravel or sand, so ride with caution, especially on descents. For birdwatching enthusiasts, winter is ideal for spotting raptors, and whale watching is best between November and March. This route offers a diverse experience, combining natural open space with developed coastal areas.

Trail details

Distance: 20.5 miles (33.1 km)
Elevation gain: 939 feet (286 metres)
Difficulty: moderate
Estimated time: 2 hours and 1 minutes

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