Ano Nuevo State Park is well know for elephant seals and it attracts many, many visitors from all over. But there is another part of Año Nuevo State Beach that is less crowded and allows more access — even though it doesn’t have the famous residents of its southern neighbor. At the north end of the park is a parking lot at Gazos Creek Beach Access, which is 22 miles south of Half Moon Bay. From this parking lot you can take a roughly 6.5 mile in-and-out hike along some of the wildest parts of the San Mateo County coast. 

Head south from the parking lot along the long and wide stretch of beach, and you will soon come to Gazos Creek, which often flows across the beach and into the ocean. Be prepared to get your shoes wet or choose to go barefoot across the creek taking care to only cross if you feel comfortable doing so. The flow can change due to weather, tides, etc.

Walk along the sandy beach for about a mile to where it ends then take the trail up to the bluffs and continue south. Continue south to the wooden boardwalk that will take you west to Franklin Point and a wooden deck where you can enjoy beautiful views of the rocky coast and Pigeon Point Lighthouse to the north. Be sure to bring your binoculars for wildlife viewing which can be plentiful. This rocky point was named for the clipper ship the Sir John Franklin, which hit offshore rocks and sank on January 17, 1865.

Retrace your steps on the boardwalk to the Atkinson Bluff Trail, which will take you south over sand dunes and continues south along the coastal bluff. At the junction with North Whitehouse Creek Trail, keep right to remain on the Atkinson Bluff Trail. When you reach Whitehouse Creek take the access trail down to the small beach. Cross the beach and continue the trail back to the coastal bluff and then south again on the Atkinson Bluff Trail. Continue to where the trail ends above Cascade Creek. South of here is restricted wildlife habitat. Retrace this route north to where you started.  

This is an incredibly beautiful part of our park system and on less busy days you just might have this area all to yourself — a special treat for such a magnificent place!

Please be aware that this is a marine protected area. Fishing, collecting, dogs, bicycles, camping, and fires are prohibited. There are restrooms at the Gazos Creek parking lot. Park hours are 8 am to sunset.

Article written by Tom Taber​, Coastside State Parks Association Secretary