You won’t find an official website for this beach, which is exactly the point—although it is noted on Visit Half Moon Bay website. I found out about Redondo Beach (not to be confused with the Southern California city by the same name) via one of those “friend-of-a-friend, don’t tell a soul” sort of ways, but it’s a huge gorgeous beach, so who am I to keep it secret?
The beach (also known as “Wavecrest Beach”) is clean and wide, with tall cliffs to the east and the beautiful, pounding Pacific Ocean to the west. While this location looks similar to San Francisco’s Fort Funston, this beach is cleaner in all respects; the sand here has an appealing quality that will keep your dog romping and digging for hours.
Keep in mind that you and your dog must navigate a steep cliff down to the beach without the aid of stairs. For those who manage the descent, the effort is richly rewarded with a peaceful, picturesque beach experience.
To get there, drive about a half-mile south on Highway 1 out of Half Moon Bay. Just after you pass Cameron’s Inn and Pub (with its cheesy double-decker bus) on the right, look for the sign for Redondo Beach; take a right and park in the small lot at the end of the street.
Be sure to stop in Half Moon Bay’s Flying Fish Grill on your way home; it’s dog friendly and has the best fish and chips and clam chowder this side of Cape Cod.