San Gregorio Beach

San Gregorio State Beach is a wide, scenic coastal destination backed by steep sandstone cliffs and grassy bluffs. The clothing-optional zone, frequently referred to as San Gregorio Private Beach, stretches north of San Gregorio Creek and holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously utilized nude beach in Northern California, with its roots dating back to 1966. The environment is notably spacious, offering expansive sandy flats and distinct sea caves that ensure a sense of privacy even on busier weekends. It features a predominantly gay and queer-friendly crowd, though it regularly welcomes visitors of all genders, orientations, and comfort levels.

Here is how to get there and what to expect if you are going for the first time.

The Most Important Rule

Do not park at or enter through the official San Gregorio State Beach park entrance. If you go there, you will have to pay the state park fee, deal with state rangers, walk past families, and hike a decent distance north along the sand or bluffs to reach the clothing-optional section.

Instead, you want to use the San Gregorio Private Beach entrance. The beach itself is public, but the land immediately above it, including the only direct access trail and parking lot, is privately owned.

Driving Directions

The private entrance is located right off Highway 1 (Cabrillo Highway), roughly 10 to 11 miles south of Half Moon Bay.

• From the North (SF / Half Moon Bay): Take Highway 1 South. Drive past the turnoff for Highway 84/La Honda Road. The private driveway will be the very next right turn on the ocean side of the highway, just about a quarter-mile past the intersection.

• From the East (Palo Alto / South Bay): Take Highway 84 West through the mountains until it dead-ends into Highway 1. Turn right (North) onto Highway 1, then immediately look for the private driveway on your left.

Parking and Logistics

• The Gate and Fee: There is a gate at the entrance of the private driveway. The property owners charge a small cash fee (usually around $7 to $8) to park in their lot. The lot is generally open during daylight hours, but it can be closed or locked during poor weather or mid-week off-season days.

• The Trail: From the private lot, there is a clear trail that heads down the bluff through the driftwood to the sand.

What to Expect on the Sand

Once you hit the beach, the crowd dynamics are pretty well-established.

• The area directly at the bottom of the trail and to the south tends to be where straight couples and general sunbathers hang out.

• If you head further north into the cove area and past the large driftwood structures, the crowd is predominantly gay men.

Because it’s the Northern California coast, the wind can pick up fast, and the water is freezing. Regular visitors use the massive piles of driftwood on the beach to build windbreaks, which are highly coveted spots on breezy days. Just make sure you stay within the bluffs of this northern cove—if you wander too far south toward the state park boundary, clothing is legally required.