Outdoor adventures

Explore parks, beaches, farms, playgrounds, and nature around the Coastside.

Explore parks, beaches, farms, playgrounds, and nature around the Coastside.

Farms & Animals

Farm & Nature

Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center

Half Moon Bay

Summer camp ages 6–11

Varies

Animal care, gardening, pollinators, crafts, school programs, and summer camp

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Nature

The HEAL Project

El Granada

Young children through teens; ages vary by program

Varies

Farm camps, after-school programs, toddler sessions, family events, and youth volunteering

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Horseback Riding

Lazy H Horse Ranch

Half Moon Bay

Ages 6–14

Paid

Horseback riding lessons and seasonal pony/horse camps for kids

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Horseback Riding

Moss Beach Ranch

Moss Beach

Best for ages 8+

Paid

Riding lessons and guided trail rides

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Farm Attraction

Lemos Farm

Half Moon Bay

Best for ages 2–9; all ages welcome

Paid

A playful farm outing with pony rides, a train, animals, bounce houses, and seasonal activities—especially fun for preschool and early elementary kids.

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Horseback Riding

Sea Horse Ranch

Half Moon Bay

Ages 7+

Paid

Guided horseback rides along the Coastal Equestrian Trail, ocean bluffs, and Poplar Beach

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Pumpkin Farm

Arata's Pumpkin Farm

Half Moon Bay

Best for ages 2–12; all ages welcome

Paid

Play Land, hay mazes, train rides, guided pony rides, petting zoo, and haunted attractions

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Pumpkin Farm

Pastorino Farms

Half Moon Bay

Best for preschool and elementary ages

Paid

Year-round nursery and seasonal farm activities, with pumpkin patch fun in October like hayrides, train rides, pony rides, animal feeding/petting zoo, giant slides, bounce houses, and pumpkins.

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Pumpkin Farm

Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm

Half Moon Bay

All ages; especially nice for younger kids

Paid

Pumpkin picking, family farm visit, seasonal hayride, and sunflower picking

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Parks & Playgrounds

Beaches & Nature

Beach & Coastal Nature

Roosevelt Beach

Half Moon Bay

All ages

Free

Beach walks, picnics, and Coastside Trail outings

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Tide Pools & Nature

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

Moss Beach

All ages for views; best for ages 4+

Free

Choose between a quick bluffside stop with beautiful coastal views or a longer nature outing down to the tide pools. At low tide, kids can search for crabs, anemones, sea stars and other marine life.

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Coastal Trail

Mirada Surf

El Granada

All ages; especially good for stroller walks

Free

Walking, biking, scooters, ocean viewing, and beach access

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Hiking & Nature

Pillar Point Bluff

Moss Beach

Best for ages 4+ walkers; younger kids in a carrier

Free

Walking, wildlife spotting, and ocean views

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Walking & Biking

California Coastal Trail / Coastside Trail

Half Moon Bay

All ages

Free

Stroller walks, biking, scooters, bird watching, wildflowers, and occasional whale spotting

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Hiking & Nature

Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park

Half Moon Bay

All ages

Free

Iconic 115-foot lighthouse grounds with sweeping ocean views, the original Fresnel lens in the Fog Signal Building, small exhibits, short walks, wildlife spotting, and seasonal ranger programs

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Nature

Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve

Half Moon Bay

Best for ages 4+ walkers; younger kids in a carrier

Free

Creek-side redwood walks, little bridges, wildlife spotting, and choose-your-own-length family hikes

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Beach & Coastal Nature

Francis Beach

Half Moon Bay

All ages

Low cost

Sand play, picnics, beach walks, visitor-center exhibits, and Coastside Trail access

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Beach & Coastal Nature

Venice Beach

Half Moon Bay

All ages

Low cost

Sand play, walking, picnics, and trail access

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Beach & Coastal Nature

Dunes Beach

Half Moon Bay

All ages; youth programs have separate requirements

Paid

Beach walks, sand play, nature observation, and seasonal Junior Lifeguards

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