Bean Hollow State Beach includes two sheltered coves, separated by a rocky point. The southern cove was once called Arroyo de Los Frijoles and marked the southern extent of Rancho Butano, which was granted in 1838 to Ramona Sanchez. A creek drains from east of Highway 1 onto this beach. The beach is frequented by dog owners, because it is one of the few local state beaches where dogs are permitted. Dogs must be controlled with a leash of no more than six feet at all times. Swimming is dangerous because of cold water, rip currents and heavy surf.
A trail along the bluffs at the south end of the beach goes out to a vista point. Along the north end of the beach is a one-mile self-guided nature walk between Bean Hollow Beach and Pebble Beach offers a close-up look at tidepools, wild flowers, and colonies of harbor seals and shorebirds. Although it has been subject to erosion due to severe storms, the trail is one of the best places along the San Mateo coast to see a largely undisturbed landscape of native coastal plants.
CSPA’S Support for Bean Hollow State Beach
With your generous donations, the Coastside State Parks Association can fund dozens of projects every year to assist our local State Parks. Many involve supporting the docent programs, maintaining interpretive signage, beautifying entry stations, improving access to the parks and funding many other day-to-day operations.
BEAN HOLLOW STATE BEACH NEWS & HIKES
- Tafoni and Tidepools
(November 9, 2023)