Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay is a beach break in Half Moon Bay, CA, covered by a free live cam from Miramar Beach Restaurant.

About the Break

Miramar Beach is a wide, sandy beach a few miles south of Pillar Point Harbor and the famous Mavericks big-wave break, generally holding softer, more approachable wave energy than the heavy reef break offshore. It works on a range of swells and is a reasonable option for intermediate surfers when Mavericks is too big to consider. As a sand-bottom beach break, it’s generally well suited to longboarders, intermediate surfers, and anyone working on their pop-up — more forgiving than reef or point breaks, without a sharp takeoff zone or fixed hazard.

Surf Etiquette at Beach Breaks

Beach breaks tend to be more forgiving on etiquette than reef or point breaks: because the sandbars shift and there’s rarely one single best takeoff spot, the lineup is usually more spread out and less territorial. Still, the basics apply everywhere — the surfer closest to the peak has right of way, don’t drop in on someone already riding a wave, and take a moment to watch the lineup before paddling out if you’re new to it. Every break has its regulars, and a little patience goes a long way.

About the Cam Host

The cam is provided by Miramar Beach Restaurant, an oceanfront restaurant at 131 Mirada Rd, Half Moon Bay, California, with indoor/outdoor seating and live entertainment, offering a public webcam of the Pacific Ocean view. Watch Live Cam →

Location & Access

Half Moon Bay sits on the Pacific coast in Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County, California. See the California surf guide for the full regional picture →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Half Moon Bay surf cam free to watch? Yes — every cam in the directory is free and public, no login required.

Where exactly is the camera? At Miramar Beach Restaurant in Half Moon Bay, CA — see the map above.

Are there other free surf cams nearby? Yes — see Nearby Live Cams below.