Waking to the beauty that is Half Moon State Beach, to the cyclists and horseback riders who were passing by on the nearby trails, and to the sound of crashing waves upon the shore was enough to make us want to spend another day at our campsite, but we were also excited to continue cycling down the famed coastline of California.

The Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail that ran through our campsite took us out of town along the coast, through quiet residential areas and, eventually, back to Highway 1, where we climbed and coasted rolling hills to Pescadero, CA and our tent site at Costanoa Lodge.

Flat roads with wide shoulders outside of Half Moon Bay

We snacked all day on the gorgeous fruits sold at the many roadside stands lining the roads.

Stopping for Lunch – can’t beat the view!

Pigeon Point Lighthouse (& hostel)

Riding into Costanoa Lodge

Fanciest bathrooms we’ve seen yet at a campsite (and Kai trying to “blend in”).

From Costanoa Lodge we continued on Highway 1 (our primary route all the way down the coast to San Diego) toward New Brighton State Beach Park in Capitola, CA, which is just south of Santa Cruz.  The views were pretty spectacular, changing from tree-laden landscapes to cliff hugging shorelines, where we marveled at both the surfers catching waves and the pelicans aeronautical skills.

Cabrillo Hwy 1, Pacific Coast, Heading South from Pescadero, CA

Break time at this shop off the road, owned and run by organic farmers

It was self-serve and self-pay – Kai chose an apple turnover and I went for the blackberry (but it turned out to be pumpkin!).

Santa Cruz

Self-registering and paying our $10 hike & bike fee at Brighton State Park

View or download this route‘s tracks to your GPS unit by registering at Bike Route Toaster.

Our Two Day Route from Half Moon Bay to New Brighton State Park

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Next Stop :: Marina Dunes State Park & Monterrey, CA