Located between the towns of Pacifica and Montara on Highway 1, Gray Whale Cove State Beach, also called Devil’s Slide by locals, is a small beach in a picturesque sheltered cove surrounded by towering, almost vertical, cliffs.

The only access to the beach is a steep stairway from the bluff above, which has a small picnic area that is great for watching gray whales when they migrate close to the shore. The most popular, and in fact the only, activity on the beach is sunbathing. The beach has a clothing-optional area to the right of the stairs. A strange-looking structure on the bluff is an old WWII bunker, which used to guard the area from sea invasions.

Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, Phone: 650-726-8819

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.