Outdoor adventures
Beaches & Nature
Park & Playground
Quarry Park
El Granada
Tot area 1–5; youth area 5–12
Free
A versatile park with tot and youth playgrounds, grass, picnic spots, a treehouse, gardens, and trails.
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Park & Playground
Moss Beach Park
Moss Beach
Best for ages 1–10
Free
A shipwreck-themed neighborhood playground with climbing, a tot area, sea-creature details, and imaginative play.
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Park & Playground
Ocean View Park
Half Moon Bay
Best for ages 1–8
Free
A simple neighborhood park with a playground, grass, picnic tables, and plenty of room to run.
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Park & Playground
Frenchman's Creek Park
Half Moon Bay
Best for ages 2–10
Free
A low-key neighborhood playground for a quick local stop and some open-ended outdoor play.
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Skateboarding
Half Moon Bay Skate Park
Half Moon Bay
Best for ages 6+
Free
A local skate park with bowls, ramps, stairs, and ledges for scooters, skateboards, and skill practice.
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Park & Playground
Clipper Ridge Park
El Granada
Best for ages 2–12
Free
A neighborhood park with a playground, picnic tables, basketball, open space, and nearby trail access.
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Park & Playground
Kehoe Park
Half Moon Bay
Best for ages 1–6
Free
A small neighborhood tot lot and grassy space for an easy everyday outdoor stop.
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Park & Events
John L. Carter Memorial Park
Half Moon Bay
All ages
Varies
A downtown green space for picnics, community gatherings, performances, and a quick break between errands.
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Parks & Playgrounds
Beach & Coastal Nature
Roosevelt Beach
Half Moon Bay
All ages
Free
A quieter beach for walks, picnics, and Coastside Trail outings when access and facilities are open.
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Tide Pools & Nature
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
Moss Beach
All ages for views; best for ages 4+
Free
A flexible coastal outing with bluff views, tide pools, and marine life to discover at low tide.
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Coastal Trail
Mirada Surf
El Granada
All ages; especially good for stroller walks
Free
A paved oceanfront path for stroller walks, scooters, bikes, beach access, and easy coastal views.
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Hiking & Nature
Pillar Point Bluff
Moss Beach
Best for ages 4+ walkers; younger kids in a carrier
Free
A scenic bluff trail for family walks, bird and wildlife spotting, and wide ocean views.
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Walking & Biking
California Coastal Trail / Coastside Trail
Half Moon Bay
All ages
Free
An easy, choose-your-own-length coastal route for strollers, scooters, bikes, walks, and wildlife spotting.
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Hiking & Nature
Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
Half Moon Bay
All ages
Free
Lighthouse grounds with ocean views, the historic Fresnel lens, small exhibits, short walks, and wildlife spotting.
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Nature
Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve
Half Moon Bay
Best for ages 4+ walkers; younger kids in a carrier
Free
A shaded redwood walk with a creek, little bridges, wildlife, and flexible turn-around points for families.
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Beach & Coastal Nature
Francis Beach
Half Moon Bay
All ages
Low cost
A family-friendly beach with sand, picnic areas, exhibits, restrooms, and easy Coastside Trail access.
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Beach & Coastal Nature
Venice Beach
Half Moon Bay
All ages
Low cost
A practical beach stop for sand play, walks, picnics, and Coastside Trail access.
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Beach & Coastal Nature
Dunes Beach
Half Moon Bay
All ages; youth programs have separate requirements
Paid
A wide beach for walks, sand play, nature watching, and seasonal Junior Lifeguard programs.
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Farms & Animals
Farm & Nature
Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center
Half Moon Bay
Ages 6–11
Varies
Hands-on farm learning with animal care, gardening, pollinators, crafts, school programs, and summer camp.
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Multi-Activity
The HEAL Project
El Granada
Young children through teens; ages vary by program
Varies
Farm camps, toddler sessions, afterschool programs, family events, and volunteer opportunities for young people.
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Horseback Riding
Lazy H Horse Ranch
Half Moon Bay
Ages 6–14
Paid
Riding lessons and seasonal camps with horses, ponies, farm animals, and plenty of outdoor ranch time.
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Horseback Riding
Moss Beach Ranch
Moss Beach
Best for ages 8+
Paid
Riding lessons and guided trail rides for older kids who want a real horseback experience close to home.
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Farm Attraction
Lemos Farm
Half Moon Bay
Best for ages 2–9; all ages welcome
Paid
A lively farm outing with pony and train rides, animals, bounce houses, and seasonal family activities.
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Horseback Riding
Sea Horse Ranch
Half Moon Bay
Ages 7+
Paid
Guided horseback rides along coastal trails and ocean bluffs for older kids, including beginners.
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Pumpkin Farm
Arata's Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay
Best for ages 2–12; all ages welcome
Paid
A full fall outing with pumpkins, hay mazes, train and pony rides, animals, and kid-friendly attractions.
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Pumpkin Farm
Pastorino Farms
Half Moon Bay
Best for preschool and elementary ages
Paid
A festive pumpkin-farm outing with hayrides, trains, ponies, animals, slides, bounce houses, and more.
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Pumpkin Farm
Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay
All ages; especially nice for younger kids
Paid
A calmer pumpkin-picking stop with sunflowers, farm photos, and seasonal hayrides.
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Know a Coastside favorite we missed?
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