Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, located in Moss Beach within San Mateo County in the San Francisco Bay Area, offers a unique coastal experience for visitors and their dogs. Dogs are welcome on the Reserve’s trails, provided they are kept on a leash at all times. This rocky seashore is home to a diverse marine ecosystem, featuring a fascinating array of marine life such as algae, crabs, sponges, seastars, mollusks, and fish, making it a worthwhile destination for nature enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. With its stunning ocean views and rich biodiversity, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve provides an ideal setting for leisurely walks with your dog.
Established in 1969 to protect the area’s rich marine habitat, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is the most visited of all San Mateo County parks, and for good reason. The 180-acre reserve features some of the richest and most biodiverse tidepools on the entire California coast, with a vast reef system teeming with life. At low tides, visitors can observe pools packed with giant green anemones, purple sea stars, urchins, hermit crabs, nudibranchs, chitons, mussels, barnacles, and even monkeyface eels. Naturalists estimate there may be as many as 1,000 different forms of animal and plant life at the reserve, making every visit a chance to discover something new.
For dog owners, it is important to know the specific trail rules. On-leash dogs are allowed on the lower Dardanelle Trail, which winds along the eastern edge of a beautiful century-old Cypress grove. This shaded, peaceful trail provides a pleasant walk through a unique coastal forest setting. However, dogs are not permitted on the beach, in the tide pool areas, or on the upper bluff trail along the coast. These restrictions help protect the sensitive marine ecosystem and the harbor seals that frequent the area. Visitors should also stay at least 300 feet from all marine mammals.
The best time to visit for tide pool viewing is during zero or negative tides, so check a tide chart before you head out. As a marine protected area, Fitzgerald is a look-but-don’t-touch destination. Picking up organisms and turning over rocks are not allowed, preserving this fragile ecosystem for future generations. Located about 20 miles south of San Francisco at 200 Nevada Avenue in Moss Beach, the reserve is an easy day trip from anywhere on the Peninsula.
For more information on visiting the reserve, including trail maps and visitor guidelines, you can contact Fitzgerald Marine Reserve at (650) 728-3584 or visit the San Mateo County Parks website. Come to marvel at the incredible tide pools from the bluff or enjoy a quiet walk through the Cypress grove with your leashed dog — Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a treasured natural resource along the San Mateo coastline.
