With sweeping views of the Pacific, it’s no wonder Wavecrest Open Space Preserve is a favorite for local dog walkers and hikers alike. Located off Highway 1 in Half Moon Bay, this 206-acre coastal gem is managed by the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) and offers an easy, scenic escape for you and your leashed pup. The birding here is spectacular too. In the winter, Wavecrest is the single most important nesting and wintering site for raptors on the entire San Mateo Coast, so bring your binoculars and keep an eye on the sky for hawks, owls, and pelicans soaring overhead.
Dogs are welcome on-leash throughout the preserve. You can do an easy hike along the 0.3-mile Bird Trail, which runs along the north end of Wavecrest through grasslands and wetland habitat, or do a 1.5-mile roundtrip section of the California Coastal Trail that runs through the property along dramatic blufftop terrain. There are also several unmarked side trails that criss-cross the preserve, giving you and your dog plenty of room to explore. The coastal trail runs right along the bluffs with steep drops down to the beach below, so keeping your dog on a short leash here is especially important. Watch out for large cracks in the ground near the bluff edges where a curious pup could hurt a paw.
The landscape at Wavecrest is a beautiful mix of expansive grasslands, seasonal wetlands, and windswept coastal bluffs. On clear days, ocean views stretch as far up the coast as you can see, and you may even spot harbor seals or migrating whales offshore. In the middle of the preserve, there is an interesting grove of trees with an unmarked trail running through the center that offers a brief pocket of shade on sunny days.
Parking is free at the trailhead near the baseball fields at the end of Wavecrest Road. You will find a garbage can and complimentary doggy clean-up bags at the entrance, so please pick up after your pet and respect other visitors. The trails are open year-round from sunrise to sunset and are shared with equestrians and bicyclists, so keep your dog close when passing other trail users.
• Length: 4 miles round trip (all trails combined)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Open to: Hikers, dogs on leash, equestrians, bicyclists
• Please remember to Leave Only Paw Prints™
For directions, click on Visit Website at the top of the page or use the DogTrekker mobile app.
