Dogs and surfers congregate with beachgoers at Pacifica State Beach, also known as Linda Mar, 30 miles northwest of Palo Alto. The water is cold here, and surfers need a wetsuit year-round, but the waves are gentle enough for beginners. In summer, the beach can get crowded, but in winter, its popular with beach-walkers who enjoy the fog. This is a day-use beach only that offers hiking trails on the hills above the beach, restrooms and showers. Dogs must be on-leash.
Expect moderate air temperatures and very cold ocean water year-round at Half Moon Bay State Beach in Half Moon Bay. On the 4 miles of wide sand, you can walk, fish or sunbathe. If you'd like a more strenuous workout, catch the Coastside Trail, which hugs the eastern boundary of the beach, where you can ride bikes or jog on a 3-mile loop. Start your discovery of the beach at the Half Moon Bay State Beach Visitor Center, open Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free. There are 52 individual campsites available here -- some for tents, others for trailers or RVs, but there are no hookups. The beach is about 25 miles northwest of Palo Alto.
A wide, driftwood-filled beach awaits you at San Gregorio State Park, about 20 miles southwest of Palo Alto. From the parking lot, you easily can walk to the lagoon, and you'll pass picnic benches on the way. In addition to walking on the sand, there are a couple of caves to explore, and a trail that heads up the cliff overlooking the beach. As in other northern California beaches, the water temperature is very cold and not for swimming.
Santa Cruz offers the closest thing to a Southern California beach experience that Northern California has to offer. The weather and water are warmer than beaches to the north, and swimmers and surfers enjoy the ocean in summer without wetsuits. Beach volleyball is popular at Main Beach/Cowell Beach; there are lifeguards on duty in the summer. The town is known for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (beachboardwalk.com), an oceanside amusement park with rides, games and food. The historic boardwalk opened in 1907. Admission and summer entertainment is free, but there is a charge for ride tickets. The town is about 55 miles south of Palo Alto.
