Venice State Beach is one of five beaches that together form Half Moon Bay State Beach. Access is from the west end of Venice Boulevard off Highway 1, just north of downtown Half Moon Bay. There is a daily fee for beach access. From the parking lot, you can take one of several trails down to the beach. This nice sandy beach is snuggled between Pilarcitos and Frenchmans creeks, which sometimes flow over the beach into the ocean.

There are many birds taking advantage of the freshwater of Pilarcitos Creek. The paved Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail runs in both directions from Venice Beach to the other state beaches and is popular with hikers, bikers, and runners. There is also a horseback riding trail, but horses are not allowed on the beach itself. The beach is known for dangerous rip currents and cold water, so swimming is not recommended.

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