Lost Human Use Restoration Projects
The trustees have narrowed the focus of the human use projects to three sites: Half Moon Bay State Beach, Seal Cove Beach at the
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, and the Mirada Surf Property.
Half Moon Bay State Beach
At Half Moon Bay State Beach, the proposed project involves improving beach access and protecting natural resources by constructing a
stairway to the beach. The stairway will improve public access to the coastline and protect natural resources. CDPR will design and construct
the stairs and walkway to enhance coastal access. By defining appropriate pathways and beach access points, CDPR can eliminate a network of
informal paths that have caused erosion and damage to sensitive resources. For example, trails and access points will be directed away from
the nesting area of the western snowy plover.
Seal Cove Beach / Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
At the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, the project involves replacing a heavily worn walkway and staircase to Seal Cove Beach, an intertidal
area where guided interpretive walks are conducted. The walkway and staircase are made of older decomposing railroad timbers and span an
80-foot change in elevation. The proposed project would greatly enhance access and safety at this heavily used area.
Mirada Surf Property
Mirada Surf is a 49-acre parcel located at the south end of El Granada, a community in the unincorporated midcoast of San Mateo County.
The Mirada Surf property has been identified for use as open space and parkland on the local coastal plan maps for more than 20 years,
but the property is privately owned. Its mixed terrain supports numerous habitats, including a coastal bluff, a creek with healthy native
willows, seasonal wetlands, grasslands, and forested hillsides. The Mirada Surf property is the missing link in the Coastal Trail between
Pillar Point Harbor and Half Moon Bay . The council proposes contributing funds to help acquire this property and complete both the
missing link of the coastal trail and coastal access improvements.
