1/2M Swim (closer to .7M)
Start at the beach in front of the CA Sea Kayak and swim to Barbara's Fish Trap Restaurant, (the red building, you will also be near the breaker wall) then return to the start.
1M Swim (closer to 1.3M)
Same as the 1/2M swim, then continue underneath the pier to the Point. Return to the start.
2M Swim (closer to 1.9M)
Same as the 1M swim, continue to where the rip-rap starts beneath Pillar Point. (Sort of an L-shaped course) Return to the start.
Half Moon Bay and Pacifica exude a totally cool, "Southern California-like" ambiance, the towns make a wonderful weekend get-away. A good place to run if you can tear yourself away from the beach is San Pedro Valley Park, the Montara Mountain Trail can be accessed through Montara State Beach.
Tips:
There
are no changing facilities, so plan to change into dry clothing in your
car. The water temperature is between 53-58 degrees. If you are not used
to open water swimming for more than 30-40 minutes, you will be very cold
the moment you get out of the water. After changing out of your wetsuit,
try going for a 10-20 minute run to warm up your body. There is a path
of sorts leading towards the radar station. A thermos of your favorite
hot beverage will be greatly appreciated at that time.
Practice
bilateral breathing to be prepared to sight on your left for the first
half of the course.
There
is no need to worry about sharks, they don't come into the harbor, however;
you may see some curious seals.
Directions:
From
the south or east, take Highway 92 east to Highway 1 in Half Moon Bay.
Make
a right and go four miles to the traffic light at Highway 1 and Capistrano
Road.
Make
a left; go 1/3 mile until you get to Prospect Way and make another left;
go one block and make another left on Broadway.
Go
about 100 feet and turn right on Princeton Avenue. Continue until you see
the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club and CA Sea Kayak.
Park
on Princeton, walk down Vassar 150 feet to the beach.
From
the north, take 1 south through Pacifica and across Devil's Slide.
As
you pass the Half Moon Bay Airport, you will come to the north end of Capistrano
Avenue.
Veer
off Highway 1 to the right, and follow the directions from Prospect Way.
(If you miss this turnoff, go to the south traffic light and follow the
above directions).
Tri Home.