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Beaches in Coastside

02/3/26  |  Stephanie Nash

Find Your Favorite Beach for Everyday Coastal Living.


By Stephanie Nash

The Coastside is a collection of distinct environments connected by Highway 1 and a shared appreciation for coastal access. From Half Moon Bay to Moss Beach, El Granada, and Princeton, each stretch of shoreline shapes how residents spend their time and choose where to live. Living along the Coastside means the ocean is part of daily life.

Key Takeaways

  • Marine life and tide pools of the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.
  • Surf breaks at Mavericks at Pillar Point.
  • Equestrian trails and expansive sandy reaches at Half Moon Bay State Beach.
  • Evaluate the long-term lifestyle equity of owning luxury real estate near the most iconic beaches in Coastside.

Moss Beach and Marine Refinement

At Moss Beach, the dramatic bluffs provide a front-row seat to one of the most biologically diverse stretches of the Pacific. This area represents the peak of coastal refinement, balancing high-performance residential design with the tranquil social rituals expected by the modern executive.

Why Moss Beach Defines the Regional Gold Standard

  • Fitzgerald Marine Reserve stands as a crown jewel of the coast, offering some of the best-maintained tide pools in the state, where residents can observe anemones and harbor seals in a protected sanctuary.
  • Seal Cove Beach provides a secluded, low-profile escape accessible via a wooden staircase, offering a quiet retreat for those who seek a meditative morning walk away from the weekend crowds.
  • Ross’ Cove offers a rugged and private shoreline experience, perfect for those who prioritize a deep connection to the raw, unadulterated beauty of the California coast.
The Distillery Overlook serves as a historic social hub, where residents enjoy craft cocktails and fresh seafood with a high-altitude perspective of the breaking waves below.

Princeton-by-the-Sea and Mavericks

Princeton-by-the-Sea serves as the functional heart of the region's maritime culture, providing a high-energy social pulse that mirrors the adventurous spirit of the modern Coastside resident.

The Hallmark Features of the Pillar Point Circuit

  • Mavericks Beach is a legendary destination known for world-class, big-wave surfing, where the technical precision of elite athletes meets the raw power of winter swells.
  • Pillar Point Harbor provides a high-performance maritime environment with fresh-off-the-boat seafood sales and private slips for those who prioritize a weekend of sailing or deep-sea fishing.
  • Princeton Beach offers a more relaxed, dog-friendly environment where local artisans and tech-industry leaders mingle over artisanal coffee and coastal-inspired small plates.
  • The West Shoreline Trail provides a level, high-quality path for cyclists and runners, offering constant views of the fishing fleet and the protective breakwater.
These venues are essential inclusions in our guide to the beaches in Coastside because they anchor the local lifestyle with professional-grade traditions and peerless social energy.

El Granada and Half Moon Bay State Beach

The sprawling sandy reaches of Half Moon Bay State Beach provide a layer of lifestyle prestige that rivals the elite enclaves of the Hamptons or the French Riviera.

The Next Generation of Coastal Social Art

  • Francis Beach serves as a primary social hub, featuring high-quality campground facilities and vast, sandy stretches ideal for sunset gatherings and family milestones.
  • Venice Beach offers a more secluded feel, with high-performance trail connectivity to the Coastal Trail, making it perfect for long-distance running or equestrian excursions.
  • Dunes Beach provides a high-altitude perspective from the bluff-top trails, leading down to a quiet shoreline where the sound of the tide is the only interruption.
  • Surfers’ Beach in El Granada offers a high-energy pulse where the local surf community gathers, providing a vibrant social backdrop for the nearby luxury condominiums.
From the historic charm of Main Street to the four miles of pristine sand, the beaches of Coastside maintain a landscape as expansive as the Western horizon.

FAQs

Which of the beaches in Coastside are most suitable for equestrian use?

Francis Beach and the northern stretches of Half Moon Bay State Beach are the top choices for riders, as they offer wide paths and a high-energy atmosphere that accommodates horses.

Are there any private wellness facilities available near the shore?

Yes, the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay offers exclusive spa and fitness memberships for residents, featuring nature-inspired treatments and private hydrotherapy options.

How does proximity to the Coastal Trail impact real estate value?

In the 2026 market, "walkable luxury" is a top priority for high-net-worth buyers. Properties located within a short stroll of the Coastal Trail or with direct access to the sand consistently command a market premium due to the lifestyle efficiency and social status they provide.

Contact Stephanie Nash Today

If you’re exploring homes near the ocean, understanding how each stretch of coastline fits your lifestyle is essential. I work closely with clients across Half Moon Bay, Moss Beach, El Granada, and Princeton to ensure location details reflect how they actually live. Coastal real estate here is nuanced, and those nuances matter.

Reach out to me, Stephanie Nash, and I’ll help you evaluate opportunities near the beaches in Coastside that align with your priorities.



Stephanie Nash

Stephanie Nash

About The Author

For more than three decades, Stephanie Nash has been one of the Peninsula’s most trusted and proven real estate advisors, serving Woodside, Portola Valley, Atherton, Redwood City, Emerald Hills, San Carlos, Half Moon Bay, and the surrounding communities from Burlingame to Los Gatos.

Born and raised on the Peninsula, Stephanie brings true insider knowledge of the region; its micro-neighborhoods, school corridors, country-property enclaves, and the lifestyle features that make this area so coveted: sunny weather, an easygoing spirit, hiking trails, large-parcel retreats, ocean-view hillsides, and world-class food and culture.

A career built on experience, ethics, and results

Stephanie began her real estate career in 1987 working in local title companies before becoming the assistant to a top-producing agent. She earned her real estate license in 1991, and since then has built a reputation as a solutions-driven, ethical, and steady negotiator who guides clients through every complexity of a California transaction.

Her track record includes everything from luxury estates to rural acreage to trust and estate sales, including the successful sale of a 500-acre property, a transaction requiring extensive due diligence, jurisdictional navigation, and long-term strategy.

Nationally recognized performance

Stephanie has been recognized multiple times by RealTrends as one of the “Best Agents in America,” most recently in 2024; an honor reserved for the top tier of agents nationwide based on verified production.

Expert Witness in Real Estate Matters

In addition to client representation, Stephanie now serves as a retained Expert Witness in California real estate cases—including valuation disputes, fiduciary sales, marketing standards, agent performance, disclosure practices, and industry-standard care.

What clients rely on her for

Whether you are buying, selling, downsizing, expanding, or handling a trust/estate sale, Stephanie offers:

  • Deep regional expertise across multiple Peninsula micro-markets

  • Strong negotiation skills grounded in fairness, strategy, and consistent communication

  • Experience in complex transactions (trusts, estates, multiple-heir negotiations, title defects, rural land issues)

  • Compassionate guidance rooted in decades of hands-on client service

  • Unmatched availability and responsiveness

Clients praise her listening skills, honesty, and ability to navigate even the most emotional or complicated sale with clarity and professionalism.

A life built around community and care

Stephanie is deeply grateful for her family, her life on the Peninsula, and the meaningful relationships formed through her work. 

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Work With Stephanie

Stephanie respects residential real estate’s dual role as a personal investment and chief financial one. Whether you are buying or selling a home, it will likely be one of the largest financial decisions you make. Stephanie will be with you every step of the way to expertly guide you.

Let's Connect

Address

2930 Woodside Road
Woodside, CA 94062

CA DRE# 01104524

Stephanie Nash

(650) 995-3820

[email protected]

Get in Touch

By providing your contact information to Stephanie Nash, your personal information will be processed in accordance with Stephanie Nash's Privacy Policy. By checking the box(es) below, you consent to receive communications regarding your real estate inquiries and related marketing and promotional updates in the manner selected by you. For SMS text messages, message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out of receiving further communications from Stephanie Nash at any time. To opt out of receiving SMS text messages, reply STOP to unsubscribe.