Poplar Beach

Half Moon Bay, California, is home to Poplar Beach, which is also called Bluff Top Coastal Park. Run by the city, this beach is popular for families, dog owners, horseback riders, and tourists. Poplar Beach is located at the bottom of a steep hill via a trail. While there is no fee for using the beach, there is a fee for parking, but it is just $2 per hour.

Many visitors use the beach for hiking, biking, running, and walking. Additionally, horses are allowed on the beach, so horseback riders can spend time with their horse while there. Unfortunately, that also means that you may find horse poo on the beach, so watch out for that. Fishing is another popular activity at Poplar Beach. Even though it can get cold and windy at night, guests love to watch the sun set over the ocean. There are even picnic tables on the beach for those who wish to bring a meal.

Dogs are allowed at Poplar Beach as long as they are kept on a leash. Dogs enjoy running in the sand and swimming in the ocean here. As long as your dog is kept leashed and isn't bothering other guests, they are fine to enjoy time on the beach, too.

Guests love that Poplar Beach isn't nearly as crowded as the state beaches in the area. With great views of the ocean and nice trails in the area, guests can enjoy all kinds of fun activities like those mentioned above without dealing with large crowds of people. The walking and biking trails are also dog-friendly. There is also a campground along the beach for those who want to spend the night out on the beach overlooking the ocean. Rules for the beach and campground may be different, but guests can enjoy staying here.