A pretty hike along beaches and bluffs between Fizgerald Marine Reserve and Pillar Point Harbor.

Location: Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

» Official Trail Map: Good map showing various trails.

Route:

• 2.3 miles to Pillar Point Air Force Station (no access) — Walk along the beach until you see Pillar Point Air Force Station situated atop the cliffs, right above the southern end of a long beach (see "Russ Cove" in the trail map). Such a walk is possible in zero or minus tide (see tide conditions at AmericanTides or ProTides).
• 1.4 miles along bluff trails to Ocean Blvd — Find a trail climbing out of the beach. Then follow a bluff trail going northwards (towards the trail head where the hike started) until you reach Ocean Blvd (paved road). The section of the bluff trail that lies in "Pillar Point Bluff" area is shown in the official trail map. The remaining bluff trail is described here: Maverick Cliffs Hike and Trail Guide.
• 1.2 miles to parking lot — Walk 0.6 miles along Ocean Blvd until you reach the Cypress Ave entrance for Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Then walk 0.6 miles inside the reserve to reach the parking lot.

Location: 200 Nevada Avenue, Moss Beach, CA 94038 . Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions: From CA-92 West, turn right onto Main Street and drive for 0.3 miles. Turn right onto CA-1 (Cabrillo Hwy) and drive for 5.9 miles. Turn left onto Vermont Ave and drive for 0.2 miles. Vermont Ave turns slightly right and becomes Lake Street. In 0.2 miles, there is a parking lot for Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: None (last visited: July 2011)

Capacity: Over 20 cars may be parked here.

Latitude: 37.524120     Longitude: -122.516704