Marian S Bennett

Moss Beach

Search All Moss Beach Homes for Sale on MLS.

You might miss Moss Beach if you aren’t paying attention…  The most noticable landmarks if you’re paying attention are the Distillary sign, the yellow corner grocery building along side a small strip of businesses which also includes the Sheriff’s substation, the Moss Beach post office, and a small restaurant.  This photo directing you the famed Moss Beach Distillary Restaurant is further into the neighborhood off the Highway. For young families, a day spent between Moss Beach Park and the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve will practically guarantee a solid night’s sleep!  There are even some hidden gems that you’d have to know about to enjoy, such as Cypress Flower Farm, a charming treasure trove of gift ideas and home accents, a Bed & Breakfast, and a therapeutic massage and bodywork studio.  There are delightful neighborhoods to the east and west of Hwy 1.

According to authors’ Kathleen Manning and Jerry Crow’s “Half Moon Bay” publication, Juergen Wienke left Germany in 1881 and ended up in this area he named “Moss Beach”  for its prolific sea moss and edible seaweed.  He built a hotel on Wienke Way that burned down in 1911 and was never rebuilt.  There are now a few homes on Wienke Way.  However, the many cypress trees he planted remain beautiful landmarks in Moss Beach.  A dramatic cove of cypress trees on the Moss Beach bluffs was the setting of the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha.

Sealcove (#MLS 630)

Several homes in this area have beautiful ocean views, some of them overlook the mountains to the east and part of the HMB airport.  Like other neighborhoods on the Coastside, Moss Beach gives a nod to its independent spirit with an eclectic feel.  Homes range from quaint cottages, to California ranches, to larger contemporaries, to rare oceanfront “forever” homes.  It’s easy to get lost if you’re new to the area and don’t pay attention, so keep track of the signs…Sealcove is also the area of an official California point of Historical Interest.

Strand (MLS #632)
This area refers to a neighborhood near the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.  Some streets can see an overflow from parking on beautiful days.  Most of the time it is enjoyed by the locals only.  Some homes here are oceanfront.

Moss Beach Heights (MLS #634)
Hillside neighborhoods with some homes offering lovely ocean views.  Homes are on both level and sloped lots.  Main access to this neighborhood is California Street to the east; other roads will take you into this neighborhood also, so access is good.

Sunshine Valley and surrounding areas East of Highway 1 (MLS #633)
This area is anchored by Sunshine Valley Road which links Moss Beach and the back of Montara with country properties and single family homes dotted along the way.  Enter from Etheldore in Moss Beach or Harte in Montara.

Search All Moss Beach Homes for Sale on MLS.

Important Moss Beach information:

2006 Report – Geologic Summary of Conditions Along Ocean Boulevard, Moss Beach

Trekking through Moss Beach

As many of you already know, the “Coastside” section of my site is broken down into lots of local topics of interest, including neighborhoods.  I just finished, well finished enough to get online for you, the Moss Beach neighborhoods page!  Expect updates and embellishments as I move forward with my site.

Back to Moss Beach…I thought a fun way to introduce this page would be to create an “family outing day” in Moss Beach, whether you live here or are passing through.

First you have to pack the beach bag – water, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, sweater or jacket if needed for layering, day pack, snacks, camera, and towels & talc to wipe off sandy feet.  If you bring the dog, don’t forget the extra towels and water.  Water sandals will be handy.

A visit to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a must for a day trip to Moss Beach.  Once at Fitzgerald Reserve parking lot, take a short hike down to the tidepools.  At low tide, which you want to check, you will be treated to all kinds of beautiful sea life.  The Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve website will give you all the specifics you need to know to plan the best visit for your family or group.  After you’ve explored for a bit, you can set out your picnic lunch on the beach.  Then head over to the bluffs and walk through the cypress trees.  All ages will enjoy this, the younger ones will love to play hide ‘n seek and there’s plenty of room to run and explore. 

Head over to Moss Beach Park across the highway at Virginia St. on the east side if you have kids in tow.  If you know the history behind this terrific community asset, you will be even more impressed.  It sure didn’t look like this when I brought my kids there back in the early 90’s.  If you didn’t pack lunch, you could head over to local favorite El Gran Amigo to grab some of the best burritos around.

Of course, if Dad takes charge of the activities and wants to give mom a real treat, she can just walk over to Studio Eight-18 for a rejuvenating massage (but you have to call Scott first to get booked – although new to the Coastside, his calendar is beginning to fill).  Then on to a fun dinner at either HMB Brewing Co., Barbara’s Fish Trap (here’s some Yelp reviews), or Sam’s Chowder House in El Granada.  The dog will be welcome at these places if you eat on the patios.

Have a great day in Moss Beach!

p.s.  If real estate is on your mind, there are currently 12 homes for sale in Moss Beach ranging in list price from $569,900 to $2,500,000.

Moss Beach welcomes you.  Don’t forget to visit the Moss Beach page.

3/22/08 update:  I just found this site “Half Moon Bay Memories & El Granada Observer”.  History buffs will enjoy knowing more about Moss Beach’s rich past from the reminiscing from a local lifetime resident.