Moss Beach, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Moss Beach
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Moss Beach shoreline, April 2007. Part of the Franciscan formation is visible near the beach
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Location in San Mateo County and the state of California
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 Moss Beach, California
Location in the United States
Moss Beach, California
Location in California
Moss Beach, California
Location in San Francisco Bay Area
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | San Mateo |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.254 sq mi (5.837 km2) |
| • Land | 2.254 sq mi (5.837 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 3,214 |
| • Density | 1,425.9/sq mi (550.63/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
94038
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| Area code | 650 |
| FIPS code | 06-49446 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1659183 |
Moss Beach is a small coastal community in San Mateo County, California. In 2020, about 3,214 people lived there. It's a special place because it has the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, which is a protected ocean area.
Moss Beach also has the Half Moon Bay Airport and the historic Moss Beach Distillery. The weather here is usually cool and mild, especially in summer, thanks to its location right by the ocean. This makes it feel a bit separate from the busier San Francisco Bay Area.
Contents
History of Moss Beach
Moss Beach started out as a popular vacation spot. The very first hotel was built there in 1881 by a person named Juergen Wienke. The town grew even more when the Ocean Shore Railroad was built, making it easier for people to visit.
Where is Moss Beach Located?
Moss Beach is located on the coast of California. It's about 20 miles (32 km) south of San Francisco and 50 miles (80 km) north of Santa Cruz.
Other towns nearby include Montara to the north and El Granada, Princeton-by-the-Sea, and Half Moon Bay to the south. The area of Moss Beach is about 2.3 square miles (5.8 square kilometers), and it's all land.
People of Moss Beach
In 2010, the population of Moss Beach was 3,103 people. Most people lived in homes, with only a small number in group living situations.
There were 1,062 households in Moss Beach. Many of these households had children living in them. The average household had about 2.8 people.
Climate and Weather
Moss Beach has a mild climate, which means it doesn't get too hot or too cold. It's known as a Mediterranean climate. Winters are usually mild and rainy, while summers are cool and pleasant. The average temperature is around 55°F (13 °C).
Because it's so close to the ocean, Moss Beach often has fog, especially in the mornings and evenings. This fog helps keep the temperatures cool. It almost never snows here.
The warmest months are August and September, with average highs around 70°F (21°C). January is the coolest month, with average lows around 44°F (7°C). Most of the rain falls between November and April.
| Climate data for Moss Beach, California | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 57.5 (14.2) |
59.6 (15.3) |
61.1 (16.2) |
62.9 (17.2) |
64.8 (18.2) |
67.9 (19.9) |
69.2 (20.7) |
70.1 (21.2) |
70.6 (21.4) |
68.3 (20.2) |
62.5 (16.9) |
57.6 (14.2) |
64.3 (18.0) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 50.9 (10.5) |
52.6 (11.4) |
53.7 (12.1) |
55.0 (12.8) |
57.4 (14.1) |
60.0 (15.6) |
60.6 (15.9) |
62.4 (16.9) |
62.2 (16.8) |
59.9 (15.5) |
55.2 (12.9) |
51.2 (10.7) |
56.8 (13.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 44.3 (6.8) |
45.6 (7.6) |
46.3 (7.9) |
47.1 (8.4) |
49.9 (9.9) |
52.0 (11.1) |
53.9 (12.2) |
54.6 (12.6) |
53.8 (12.1) |
51.5 (10.8) |
47.8 (8.8) |
44.8 (7.1) |
49.3 (9.6) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 5.3 (130) |
5.1 (130) |
3.8 (97) |
1.7 (43) |
0.8 (20) |
0.2 (5.1) |
0.1 (2.5) |
0.2 (5.1) |
0.3 (7.6) |
1.4 (36) |
3.1 (79) |
5.2 (130) |
27.2 (685.3) |
| Average rainy days | 12 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2.5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 84.5 |
Cool Places and Features
Moss Beach is known for its fresh air and often foggy conditions, which come from the Pacific Ocean.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
One of the most important places in Moss Beach is the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. This is a special protected area for ocean life. It has beautiful trails along the cliffs with cypress trees and amazing tidepools. You can see many different marine animals and birds here. The rocks along the beach are part of the Franciscan Complex, which are ancient rock formations.
Marine Protected Areas
Montara State Marine Reserve & Pillar Point State Marine Conservation Area are located offshore from Moss Beach. These are like underwater parks that help protect ocean wildlife and their homes.
Hickman's Potentilla Plant
A very rare plant called Hickman's potentilla (Potentilla hickmanii) has been found near Moss Beach. This plant is considered an endangered species by the United States government, meaning it's very important to protect it.
Moss Beach Distillery
The Moss Beach Distillery is a restaurant located off State Route 1. It has a long history, dating back to a time called Prohibition when selling alcohol was illegal. The building is considered a California Point of Historical Interest. Some people say the restaurant is haunted!
Getting Around Moss Beach
The main road to get to Moss Beach is State Route 1, also known as the Cabrillo Highway. You can drive into town from the north or the south.
There is also a public bus service called SamTrans route 117. This bus connects Moss Beach to other nearby towns like Pacifica and Half Moon Bay.
Images for kids
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Moss Beach shoreline, April 2007. Part of the Franciscan formation is visible near the beach
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Location in San Mateo County and the state of California
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A panorama of Moss Beach
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Beach within Fitzgerald Marine Reserve looking south
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Monterey cypress trees atop coastal bluff
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Moss Beach Distillery photographed standing at cliffedge
See also
In Spanish: Moss Beach para niños
