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Pillar Point Harbor is the main harbor on the San Mateo coast. Fishing boats unload at Johnson Pier, kayakers paddle the inner harbor and restaurants fill with people eating chowder by the water. The harbor's shore is Princeton-by-the-Sea, a tiny community of docks, boatyards and inns. Across Highway 1, El Granada climbs the hillside in curving streets drawn by one of America's most famous city planners.
From Palo Alto, this is the part of the coast where you can do the most in one stop: buy fish, walk out to see Mavericks, hike a bluff, let kids loose in a playground and eat a meal looking at boats. This guide covers getting there, the history, the harbor, the bluffs and beaches, Quarry Park, food and why it is worth the trip over the hill.
Where they are and how far
El Granada and Princeton sit on the Midcoast of San Mateo County, just north of Half Moon Bay's city limits and south of Moss Beach. Princeton lies west of Highway 1 around the harbor, with the Half Moon Bay Airport just to its north. El Granada is east of the highway. Both are unincorporated, so San Mateo County handles their services.
From downtown Palo Alto the harbor is about 28 miles. Outside traffic the drive takes 40 to 50 minutes via Interstate 280 and Highway 92. October pumpkin weekends and sunny summer Saturdays can double that.
Getting there from Palo Alto
By car
Take Interstate 280 north to Highway 92 and follow it west to Highway 1 in Half Moon Bay. Turn right and drive about 4 miles north. Turn left at Capistrano Road for the harbor and Princeton, or right into El Granada. Our coast routes guide covers the alternatives when Highway 92 is jammed.
By bus
Take Caltrain to Hillsdale station in San Mateo, then SamTrans Route 294 over the hill to Half Moon Bay. From there, SamTrans Route 117 runs north along Highway 1 through El Granada toward Moss Beach, Montara and Pacifica. Allow plenty of time and check the SamTrans schedules page for both routes.
History
El Granada began as a railroad dream. The Ocean Shore Railroad, building a line from San Francisco to Santa Cruz in the early 1900s, hired Daniel Burnham to plan a seaside resort town here. Burnham had overseen the design of Chicago's 1893 Columbian Exposition and had designed New York's Flatiron Building. His 1906 plan laid out streets in concentric arcs and spokes facing the bay. The town was to be called Granada, after the city in Spain, but in 1909 the Post Office recorded the name as El Granada. The railroad's money troubles and the arrival of the automobile ended the resort plan. Houses filled in slowly over the following decades. Burnham's curves are still clear on any map.
Princeton has drawn visitors since the early 1900s, when the Princeton Inn Hotel opened. Row crops grew at the north edge of town until 1973. The harbor came later. Voters created the San Mateo County Harbor District in 1933, first to build a harbor at Redwood City. Coastside residents pushed instead for a breakwater at Pillar Point to shelter the fishing fleet. The Army Corps of Engineers began it after World War II and finished it in 1961. Johnson Pier, the docks and the inner breakwater followed in the 1970s and 1980s.
Pillar Point Harbor
Today the harbor has 369 berths inside an inner and outer breakwater. The harbor district calls it one of the safest harbors in the United States. It is home port to a commercial fishing fleet, sport fishing boats and pleasure craft. The harbor office at One Johnson Pier is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except holidays.
- Fresh fish: local fishermen sell directly at the harbor when they have catch, most often on weekends. Call the Fish Line at 650-726-8724 for what is available.
- Boat trips: sport fishing and whale watching trips leave from the harbor in season. You can browse whale watching tours along the coast.
- Paddling: the calm inner harbor suits kayaks and paddleboards. Our kayaking guide compares it with bay paddling near Palo Alto.
- Lighted Boat Festival: boats decorated with lights parade through the harbor in December. The harbor district lists the 2026 festival for December 12.
Seabirds nest on the harbor rocks. Keep your distance and keep dogs leashed near nesting areas.
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Pillar Point Bluff and Mavericks
Pillar Point Bluff is a 220-acre county park on the headland west of the airport. It carries a section of the California Coastal Trail with views over Half Moon Bay, the harbor and farm fields. The Jean Lauer Trail links a 10-car parking lot on Airport Street with the Seal Cove neighborhood. The trails are open to hikers, joggers, bikes, horses and leashed dogs. The Peninsula Open Space Trust bought the land and built the first trail before the county took it over.
Mavericks, the big wave surf break, lies about half a mile offshore, due west of the Pillar Point Air Force tracking station on the point. San Mateo County Parks recommends binoculars. The break only comes alive on large winter swells, when some of the world's best big wave surfers tow or paddle out. Contests have been held here in some winters but not every year, so do not plan a trip around one without checking the news.
Beaches and bluffs south of the harbor
Mirada Surf West, a 15-acre county bluff just south of the harbor, is one of the few undeveloped bluffs left on this stretch. A 0.36-mile accessible trail runs from Magellan Avenue to Surfers Beach, with benches and two picnic tables. Parking and restrooms are at the south end off Magellan Avenue. Across the highway, Mirada Surf East adds 34 acres of open space and a trail up to Quarry Park. Surfers Beach itself is a small, popular beginner break. Our Half Moon Bay guide picks up the Coastside Trail from here.
Quarry Park
Quarry Park is El Granada's big backyard: 517 acres in the hills, with its entrance at Santa Maria Avenue and Columbus Street. Near the lot are playgrounds for toddlers and older kids, a tree house, lawns, picnic tables with barbecues, a community garden and a restroom. Picnic sites do not need reservations. The 1-mile Vista Point Trail climbs through eucalyptus with glimpses of the ocean. In 2014 the county added the 478-acre Wicklow property, with trails through meadows, forest and the old quarry floor. The county has run an off-leash dog pilot here; see our dog parks guide for options near home.
Food and drink
Most restaurants cluster along Capistrano Road by the harbor. Two long-running places confirm their details on their own sites:
- Barbara's Fishtrap, 281 Capistrano Road, has served seafood over the water since 1971. Its site lists dining room hours of 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends, with a short daily closure in the afternoon.
- Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, 390 Capistrano Road, has brewed on the coast since 2000. Its harbor brewpub is open daily for indoor and outdoor dining across the street from the shore.
Princeton also has cafes, fish markets and other seafood spots. Our seafood guide covers options back in Palo Alto.
Why a Palo Alto visitor might go
- The harbor. Fish off the boats, chowder by the water and boat watching in one place.
- Mavericks. Even on a calm day the bluff is a great walk with a famous view.
- Kids. Quarry Park's playgrounds and tree house break up a coast day.
- A loop. Add tide pools in Moss Beach, a few minutes north, or drive south to Pescadero before heading home.
Good to know
- Capistrano Road parking fills on sunny weekends; arrive before noon.
- Afternoon wind is strong on the bluffs. Bring a windbreaker.
- Call the Fish Line before driving over just for fish.
- Leashed dogs are welcome on the bluffs; keep them away from nesting birds.
Frequently asked questions
Can you buy fish straight off the boats at Pillar Point Harbor?
Often, yes. The San Mateo County Harbor District says local fishermen sell fresh catch directly at the harbor when they have it, especially on weekends. Availability depends on the season and the weather, so call the harbor's Fish Line at 650-726-8724 before you go.
Where can you see Mavericks?
San Mateo County Parks says the break is about half a mile offshore, due west of the Pillar Point Air Force tracking station. It is best seen with binoculars. Walk the Pillar Point Bluff trails from the small lot on Airport Street. The waves only break big on certain winter swells.
Why are El Granada's streets in circles?
The Ocean Shore Railroad hired Daniel Burnham, the planner of Chicago's 1893 exposition, to design a seaside resort here. His plan laid out concentric and radiating streets. The railroad failed and the resort never filled in, but the street pattern survives.
Is Princeton-by-the-Sea part of Half Moon Bay?
No. Princeton and El Granada are unincorporated communities run by San Mateo County. Princeton shares the 94019 ZIP code with Half Moon Bay, so addresses there often read Half Moon Bay. El Granada has its own ZIP code, 94018.
Are dogs allowed at Quarry Park?
Yes, on leash. The county has also run an off-leash dog pilot at the park. Check San Mateo County Parks for the current pilot rules and areas. Leashed dogs are also welcome on Pillar Point Bluff and on the Coastal Trail at Mirada Surf.