Hike: Pillar Point Bluff

Credit: Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST)

Our HEART monthly hikes came to a screeching halt in March as various authorities figured out what was safe under pandemic conditions. Initially, parks were closed and travel was restricted to 5 miles from your home. Later, solo outdoor recreation was encouraged so parks were gradually re-opened. By September, 'pods' of families were allowed to balance the need for social interaction against the constraints of limited activity.  

Along with other support groups, our HEART leadership read guidelines, discussed and prayed. Christian Home Educators' Association of California (CHEA of CA) was an immense help as we crafted liability waivers and traded ideas for maintaining community within isolation. Our final decision was to host limited in-person gatherings that followed current guidelines for masks, social distancing and contact tracing. All this to say, our first post-pandemic group hike did not come easily but when we finally set out, it was a glorious day. 

When: All year, POST recommends this as a whale watching spot
Where: Jean Lauer Trail at Pillar Point Bluff, Half Moon Bay (Airport St, Moss Beach, CA 94038)
Who: All ages - the trail has a stroller friendly option.
Cost: Free

The trail entrance is a few streets away from Highway 1, and quiet in contrast to the crowds along Pillar Point Harbor. The trail map at the entrance and online guides mention there are two options at the base: a steeper path to the left and a gentler path to the right. We chose the gentler path since our group had strollers and young children.

The path meandered through scrub and was wide to comfortably allow social distancing at most points. The best part was getting near the Cove Trail where we could glimpse the ocean ahead.

We found a bench at the Lookout Point indicated on the map. The young children in our group were more interested in forging on, but whoever designated this spot got it right indeed.

Walking along the Ross Cove section of the trail, you could see Pillar Point Harbor. Several of us were curious about the "golf ball" - it turns out it is a radar station in the Pillar Point Air Force Station. That area is understandably closed to the public, but the Air Force once gave a tour to locals. If you brought binoculars, you can also view the surf break where Mavericks surfing competition is held, but for closer views you should check this Mavericks Beach article by SFGate.

Views of seals and waves

There is no beach access along the Ross Cove trail, but further out it looked as though we could access a beach. However, it would require walking past cliffs with "Unstable" signs and we wanted the kids to reserve energy for the walk back. One perk was that we saw seals on the rocks below!

After a break, we returned the same way we came. The whole trip was 2-3 miles, and as usual the children had more energy than the adults at the end, but we were glad for the opportunity to be outdoors safely with friends again.