Pillar Point is the first anchorage south of the entrance to San Francisco Bay, and it’s a good one. Located at the northernmost corner of Half Moon Bay, the Pillar Point municipal marina is protected by a breakwater. Then, that breakwater is further protected from waves and chop by a second set of jetties.
Madrone anchored in the fog near the entrance to the anchorage
The area between the inner breakwater and outer jetties is just about perfect for anchoring – depths are generally 8-15 feet, the bottom is sandy mud with good holding, and the limited fetch means that only tiny wind waves develop. There’s a good spot to tie up the dinghy under the municipal pier.
Enjoying a walk down the beach, and enjoying the fact that the fog pulled away from the coast for a few minutes
Ashore, the town of Princeton offers a few restaurants and nice hiking trails. North of Princeton, Pillar Point itself is a high sandstone bluff, and the top is shared between a military radar and communications station and a beautiful county park criss-crossed by trails. South of town, the sandy beach stretches for several miles.
A Casazza family tradition
Angie’s parents made the half-hour drive from Redwood City over the coast range to meet us for lunch at the family favorite spot, Barbara’s Fishtrap. After, we enjoyed a pleasant walk down the beach in the light fog that is one of the defining weather characteristics of the area.
We anchored here as the final stop before our trip to Hawaii, and we were happy to have a chance to come back again.
