Bean Hollow State Beach in California, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-26. Check linked official notices before travel.

Bean Hollow State Beach on California’s San Mateo Coast is a day-use destination for tide-pool observation, beachcombing, and a coastal walk between two coves. Pebble Beach belongs to the same park. Plan to enjoy the shoreline from land: cold water, heavy surf, and rip currents make swimming dangerous.

Two coves and weathered stone

Pebble Beach has rounded, ocean-polished stones, while Bean Hollow Beach has a small sandy cove beside rocky tide pools. Tafoni—the honeycomb-like pits in the rock—form through weathering. The San Mateo Coast brochure explains these features and includes a regional map.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Ocean and cliff hazards

Keep watch for sneaker waves and never turn your back on the ocean. Coastal cliffs can collapse, and high tides can cut off beach sections. Lifeguards patrol this coast but are not stationed at every beach. Choose a shore walk rather than treating a sheltered-looking cove as a safe swimming spot.

Leave the beach as you find it

Keep dogs on leashes no longer than six feet. Leave pebbles, shells, driftwood, and tide-pool animals in place. Beach fires, fireworks, and drone use are prohibited.

Events and photography permits

All events and weddings require permits; commercial photography requires a photography permit. Contact the San Mateo Coast permit staff at [email protected] before organizing an event.

Maps, location, and access

Use Highway 1 on the San Mateo Coast, about 17.5 miles south of Half Moon Bay. The park has separate parking lots for Pebble Beach and Bean Hollow Beach. Pick a lot by the cove you want to visit, rather than assuming both names refer to the same entrance.

Nearby parks

Pescadero State Beach is north along Highway 1, with day-use access. Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park is farther south on the same coastal highway. These make practical separate stops on a coastal drive.

Walk the coast and observe tide pools

The 1-mile Arroyo de los Frijoles Trail links the two beaches, with interpretive panels for a self-guided walk. Pause to study the tide pools without touching or disturbing their inhabitants. Photography and looking closely at the stones offer a way to enjoy the beach without collecting anything.

Facilities and beach access

Bring drinking water; none is available in the park. Both lots have chemical toilets. Pebble Beach access uses stairs, and the Bean Hollow lot has picnic tables. Account for those stairs when choosing where your group will stop.

A protected stretch of the San Mateo Coast

A historic coastal campsite

Bean Hollow was one of the campsites used by the Portolá expedition’s explorers; that campsite is now a state historic landmark.

Life between the tides

Anemones, crabs, sea urchins, and other marine animals inhabit the rocky intertidal areas. Observe them where they live and keep hands out of the pools.

Contact

California State Parks manages Bean Hollow. Use the official park page or call 650-726-8819 for current visiting information.