5.3 out of 10

Moss Beach

37.5261968773875 -122.505964593363
Great for
  • Peace & Quiet
  • Clean & Green
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Safe & Sound
  • Medical Facilities
Not great for
  • Pest Free
  • Public Transport
  • Childcare
  • Cost of Living
  • Nightlife
Who lives here?
  • Beach Lovers
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
  •  
  •  

Reviews

3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 1/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 2/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 1/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 1/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"Anybody See a Red Octopus?"

I graduated from a high school that has more students than Moss Beach does residents. With just under 2000 people this is about as small as it gets.

As the name indicates, Moss Beach leans up against the Pacific breakers, which is, of course, its major draw. Despite this, the average home right now is only at about $500K—pretty average by Bay Area standards. Some of that is probably because of foreclosures, I would guess.

My favorite part of Moss Beach, though is the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and the tide pools there where you can just see a ton of sea creatures. It’s the kind of place—like the Monterey Aquarium, actually—that makes you want to go back to college and study marine biology.

Actually the whole area just north of Half Moon Bay has a ton of great hiking trails and outdoor recreation for people to enjoy. I’ve never been much of hiker, but even I enjoy a beach side walk.
Pros
  • Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
  • The Pacific Breakers
  • Quiet and Green
Cons
  • Cold and Overcast
  • Little Nearby Nightlife
  • Isolated
Recommended for
  • Country Lovers
  • Beach Lovers
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 1/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 1/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Medical Facilities 2/5
  • Schools 1/5
2yrs+

"Great views, but nothing interesting"

One of San Mateo county’s oceanside cities, Moss Beach is an escape for those middle class elites. Although its mostly an unpolished neighborhood, residents are predominately upper middle-class (and mostly white). It’s also a flat neighborhood with great views of the Pacific Ocean spanning 2.3 miles along the countryside. But what it has in location, it lacks in people. The town only houses about 4,000 residents, which makes it one of the smallest cities in all of San Mateo County.

Like I said previously, Moss Beach’s residential quarters is quite small. In fact, the area only spans about 8 square blocks. Houses are pretty diverse in both aesthetic appeal and price. Some homes are polished, two-story houses while others are raggedy old one-story dumps with unkempt yards. Roads are pretty grimy, considering most side streets peel off into dusty cement roads while roadside shrubbery takes the place of sidewalks all too often. Those living within the city’s quarters bring in upwards of $118,00 a year in terms of household income while housing prices average about $800,000. If you’re looking for some sort of shopping area, you won’t find it here. The only you’ll find is a corner store here and a gas station there.

Considering its proximity to the ocean, Moss Beach is a naturally foggy location during the wintery months. There’s also a sense of isolation within the community’s quartets, considering the next metropolitan area is about a twenty minute drive down the California coast. If you’re heading into San Francisco, expect about a 30 minute drive. The most sought after destinations in Moss Beach are the historic Moss Beach Distillery (restaurant) and Seal Cove Inn (a lodging facility). In fact, Seal Cove Inn has garnered a 4.5 out of five stars review on tripadvisor.com. The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve also holds some historic significance. It boasts a scenic, bluff top trail winding along the coast and overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean.
Recommended for
  • Retirees
  • Beach Lovers

Best Neighborhoods to Live In

Best Cities to Live In

Tell everyone what you love about your neighborhood!

Leave a Review

Have a question?

How are schools? Is the area safe? What about public transit options?" Why not ask our community of locals!

Ask Now

Selling or Renting Your Home?

Maximize the selling price of your home by sharing what you love about your suburb to increase its appeal...

Leave a Review

Corporate Relocation Manager?

Enable your employees to share local knowledge in a private, trusted environment with those relocating... while building community.

Learn More