Wavecrest: A Coastal Gem in the Spotlight

Aerial view of the cypress tree tunnel near Poplar Beach cliffs in Half Moon Bay, Calif. SawBear/Getty Images/iStockphoto- (Featured in August SFGATE)

Wavecrest Open Space is one of the Coastside’s most beloved places — where windswept grasslands meet ocean bluffs, raptors soar overhead, and the iconic cypress tree tunnel welcomes walkers year-round.

This month, SFGATE shined a spotlight on Wavecrest as one of the Bay Area’s best hikes you might not know about, exploring its history, wildlife, and the magic that makes this place so special.

Read the full article here: Wavecrest is the best Bay Area hike you’ve never heard of — here’s why

Coastside Land Trust is working to enhance public access and protect sensitive habitats with 2.3 miles of new gravel trails, improved beach access, parking, restrooms, and features for universal accessibility. These updates will keep Wavecrest both welcoming and wild.

Learn more about the Wavecrest Trail Expansion Project, and come visit, explore, and experience the magic for yourself — and to support the ongoing work that keeps this coastal treasure thriving.

Deer Beds from the Sky

Ever wondered what the forest looks like from a laser’s point of view? This image of Smith Forest at Wavecrest was captured using LiDAR—a technology that uses pulses of light to create high-resolution 3D maps of the ground.

We use LiDAR to help monitor our Wavecrest Open Space property, but during a recent scan, something caught our eye. The lighter patches in the grass weren’t random—they’re deer beds, the cozy spots where deer curl up to rest.

It’s a rare and fascinating glimpse into wildlife habits, revealed not by a trail camera, but by lasers from above. Nature’s patterns are everywhere—you just have to know how to look.

Please help support the important work of the Coastside Land Trust and the wildlife that depends upon it.

Wavecrest Coastal Trail Expansion Update – Week 2

This week, the construction team made steady progress on Phase One of the trail and restoration project. Crews finished preparing the main staging area in what will eventually become the eastern parking lot, and test excavation of the trail path was a success! With that green light, the team completed excavation of the designated trail segment connecting and winding between the future parking areas.

Next week crews will begin clearing a new section of the designated trail along the south side of the ravine. This work will be done using a mower or masticator to safely clear vegetation.

Please note: This new trail segment overlaps with an existing casual trail that will be temporarily closed for 2–3 hours, likely on Tuesday morning, August 12. The closure will be clearly marked on site, and we appreciate your patience as we move this project forward with care for the land and safety in mind.

If You Want To learn More?
Check out the webinar recording, in which Coastside Land Trust's COO and Trail Project Manager, Sara Polgar, provides an in-depth overview of the trail improvements—including parking, amenities, beach access, habitat restoration, and erosion control.

Keep Updated...
Projects like this take time, vision, and a deep respect for both land and community—and we’re excited to share this journey with you. We’ll be doing our best to keep the community updated throughout construction. You can follow the progress and learn more on our Wavecrest Trail Updates page

Please help to support this important work—and help preserve, protect, and steward our shared open space:

Stepping Through Time: A Beautiful Day at the Purissima Old Town Site

Thank you to everyone who joined us last Saturday for our Walking Tours of the Purissima Old Town Site—what a wonderful day it was! We were treated to beautiful, filtered sunshine—a classic Coastside blend of warmth and mist—that made the redwoods glow and the native plants pop.

Our wonderful docents (Barbara Lohman, Barbara Dye, Robin Kirby and Robin Arkell) led visitors through the quiet remnants of what was once the bustling town of Purissima. Along the way, we shared stories of the early settlers, glimpsed the old town’s layout, and admired the resilience of the land reclaiming its history.

One of the things that made the tours truly special was the group itself. Attentive, thoughtful, and full of curiosity, participants didn’t just learn—they also taught us. A civil engineer helped illuminate the origin and structure of the old concrete blocks. One guest shared that she lives on Purisima Road and has one of the area’s original oil wells in her yard. Another, whose family has deep roots in the region, offered personal insights that brought the past even more vividly to life.

We love when these tours become a shared exchange of knowledge and memory, connecting neighbors and newcomers alike to this special landscape. The Purissima Old Town Site may be quiet now, but thanks to days like this, its stories continue to grow.

Stay tuned for future tours and events—and if you weren’t able to make it this time, we hope to see you on the trail soon! You can stay connected by signing up for our email list or following us on social media.

Photo credit: Barbara Dye and David Marsland

Mammoth in the Artichokes; Encounter with an Ice Age Landscape in Monterey County and Implication for the First Native Americans

Free Community Webinar
Saturday, September 13, 2025
10:00–11:00 AM

Join us for a wild journey back to the Ice Age with the always-popular Mark Hylkema—Retired Cultural Resources Supervisor and Santa Cruz District Archaeologist with California State Parks. Mark will tell the incredible true story of a Columbian Mammoth discovered in an artichoke field near Castroville. What began as a farming project turned into an extraordinary scientific investigation revealing ancient animals, shifting landscapes, and clues about the first Native Americans in our region.
Don’t miss this fascinating look at a vanished world beneath our feet!
Register at https://www.coastsidelandtrust.org/webinars

Wavecrest Coastal Trail Expansion Update- Phase One of Construction Begins Today!

Last week, our team held a pre-construction kickoff meeting with the City of Half Moon Bay, conducted environmental awareness training led by our project biologist, and completed preconstruction wildlife surveys—checking for nesting birds, woodrat nests, and other important habitat considerations.

Our stewardship team has also been collecting native seed, including the rare Choris’s popcorn flower, bee plant, and soap plant. These seeds will be used to re-wild and restore informal trails across the 50-acre property—helping nature reclaim the areas shaped by years of casual foot traffic.

Today the construction team will begin Phase One: clearing the future parking area, which will serve as the main staging zone (home base) for construction equipment and materials. Our biologist will be on-site again, walking the alignment to ensure all wildlife is protected as work begins. From there, the team will begin construction of the designated gravel trails and parking lots—in tandem with ongoing restoration work throughout the area.

If You Want To learn More?
Check out the webinar recording, in which Coastside Land Trust's COO and Trail Project Manager, Sara Polgar, provides an in-depth overview of the trail improvements—including parking, amenities, beach access, habitat restoration, and erosion control.

Keep Updated...
Projects like this take time, vision, and a deep respect for both land and community—and we’re excited to share this journey with you. We’ll be doing our best to keep the community updated throughout construction. You can follow the progress and learn more on our Wavecrest Trail Updates page

Please help to support this important work—and help preserve, protect, and steward our shared open space:

Just a Few Spots Left! Step Back in Time at the Purissima Old Town Site

A Few Spaces Remain for the Afternoon Purissima Walking Tour

Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 1:00 PM

There is a strong interest in our upcoming Walking Tour of the Purissima Old Town Site again this year—the morning tour is now full, but there are still a few spots available for the 1:00 PM afternoon tour.

If you’ve ever been curious about the quiet traces of history along the Coastside, this is a rare chance to explore one of its most fascinating—and lesser-known—places. Purissima was once a thriving town, now long vanished, its stories tucked away among redwoods and rolling hills.

Led by our knowledgeable docents, this small group tour invites you to:

• Learn about the lives of early residents of Purissima

• Walk the trails of a town that time forgot

• Take in the beauty of native plants and redwood groves

It’s a peaceful, reflective walk through history—open to all ages and backgrounds.

Spots are limited, so we encourage you to reserve soon if you’d like to take part.

Protecting Nesting Birds While Planning for Fire Safety: An Exploration in the Grove - with Sara Polgar and Emil Caluori

Those who have spent time around the Wavecrest Open Space have likely crossed paths—directly or indirectly—with the work of long-time CLT volunteer Emi Calouri. With a birder’s eye and a conservationist’s heart, Emil has been a tireless caretaker of this land- pulling invasive plants and tracking birds. He’s even received our Like a Hawk award for his dedication—and it turns out, that name continues to be fitting.

Recently, Sara Polgar (CLT COO) joined Emil on a walk through the eucalyptus grove at Wavecrest. Their mission: to identify the tree that hosts a known red-tailed hawk nest. This is an important step in ensuring that the upcoming fuel reduction and monarch habitat improvement project, led by the San Mateo Resource Conservation District, avoids the nest.

Good news: it looks like the hawk nest is located just north of the CLT property line—outside of the project area, also perched high in one of the largest eucalyptus trees, far above the reach of the work planned. As the project begins this fall, only trees less than 8 inches in diameter will be removed, and the remaining trees will be limbed up to 10 feet to reduce ladder fuels and fire risk. All of the material will be chipped on-site, providing mulch that our Junior Land Stewards and habitat restoration volunteers can use to support ongoing native plant work across the 50-acre preserve.

As they walked the grove, Sara and Emil were treated to an incredible aerial show. Sara Polgar shared that, “Many, many swallows (Tree Swallows, Violet-Green Swallows and Barn Swallows) were swooping all around us hunting for bugs. It was incredible!” 

Emil pointed out fledglings among the mix, and Sara managed to catch a photo of a young Tree Swallow perched on a post.

You can also watch Sara’s video capturing the swallows in action—and catch some of the deep love and passion she holds for Wavecrest Open Space and all who call it home.

Sara and Emil explored deeper into the eucalyptus and the nearby tree tunnel, on the lookout for signs of owl activity. Years ago, Emil recalled, the grove was filled with barn owl pellets under multiple trees—a sure sign of healthy roosting. Though he hadn’t seen many in recent seasons, they were both delighted to discover a few pellets and whitewash markings, hinting that these silent hunters may still call the grove home.

Other sightings from their walk included a junco hopping through the grass, flashes of goldfinches, cooing mourning doves, and—most exciting of all—a red-tailed hawk soaring above them, likely the parent of the fledgling from the very nest we had come to find.

Please help to support this important work—and help preserve, protect, and steward our shared open space

Photo Credit: Sara Polgar

Join the Coastside Land Trust on a Walking Tour of the Purissima Old Town Site

Walking Tour of the Purissima Old Town Site

Saturday, August 2, 2025

10:00 AM and 1:00 PM

Step into the past with a visit to the Purissima Old Town Site in historic Half Moon Bay. Join us for one of our small 2 hour, docent-led tours and uncover the mysteries of one of the oldest Coastside towns that disappeared. You will learn about the lives of the people who once inhabited this historic site while experiencing the beauty of the native flora and fauna. You will explore a bit about it all as you follow the trails through the redwoods- tucked away from the beaten path. Reserve your spot today. All ages welcome.

Voices of the Open Space-Robin Arkell

Photo by Barbara Dye

Along the wild and windswept edge of Half Moon Bay, where the land opens wide into coastal prairie and sea,  lives a woman whose life’s work has been to spark connection—between students and nature, knowledge and wonder, the present and the future.

Robin Arkell, a recently retired fourth-grade teacher from the Cabrillo Unified School District, spent years guiding young minds not just through multiplication tables and essay writing, but into the wild beauty of the coastal lands they call home. As an enthusiastic participant in Coastside Land Trust’s Junior Land Stewards Program, Robin brought dozens of students into protected open spaces and, in doing so, helped them root themselves more deeply in the land.

Photo by Barbara Dye

“My grandmother used to say, ‘The best way to make money is hang on to what you already have.’ We so often hear of flourishing ecosystems that are whittled away to nothing. Once gone, it is very difficult to reinstate the natural world,” Robin reflects. “Here on the coast, we are so lucky to still have uniquely beautiful spaces where native flora and fauna have lived in balance for thousands of years, and where everyone can visit and enjoy the sky, the sea, and the land.”

Robin speaks with reverence and urgency about the importance of preserving these lands—not just for their ecological value, but for their power to shape lives. In the classroom, she often saw students come alive in unexpected ways once they stepped onto the land.

“The program helps students get in touch with senses not often used in the classroom—like sound and touch—while also supporting academic skills like journaling, making graphs, note-taking, and analyzing,” she explains. “Over the months, they shift from simply answering questions to developing deeper, more moral understanding. They stop, they watch, they listen. They track birds, spot soil critters, or just stand quietly with their mouths open. You can actually see the moment they connect.”

These moments of connection—whether through scavenger hunts, field journaling, or muddy explorations—build something lasting. Her students, she says, “glory in getting dirty,” developing pride in the plants they grow, and a sense of ownership over the land itself. “They, as well as their plants, put down roots. The Coastside belongs to them.”

Even beyond the classroom, Robin knows firsthand the healing presence of these spaces. That familiar feeling—rounding the last bend on Highway 92 and catching the first flash of ocean—is as powerful to her as it is to longtime locals and first-time visitors alike.

“Your shoulders relax, your breath slows, and beauty strikes you—the raptors on the wires, the color of the fields, the quiet rhythm of the sea. Just like my students, adults who walk the Coastal Trail connect with nature at a gut level. Watching seals, spotting hummingbirds, seeing native plants in bloom—it becomes inexpressibly dear to you. You understand why it must be preserved.”

Photo Credit: Andrea Laue

As she looks toward the future, Robin’s hope is that we don’t take these coastal treasures for granted. That we “hang on to what we already have,” so generations to come can continue to learn from and fall in love with the land.

Since her retirement, Robin has joined the Coastside Land Trust Stewardship Committee and dedicates many hours to caring for our shared open spaces. She continues to expand her legacy in the care and protection of nature here on the coast.  A true voice of the coast, her presence and impact echoes through the wide-open spaces of our coastside. 

Please donate to help preserve and protect our coastal open spaces

Signs of Summer on the Coastside: A Land Trust Naturalist’s View

Summer arrives quietly on the San Mateo Coast—on cool morning fog and coastal breezes. It slips in on the marine layer and reveals itself in subtle, beautiful ways. Summer “fog drip” sustains the coast’s green resilience, nourishing coyote brush, species like bush lupine, and redwoods. Plants like sticky monkeyflower draw moisture from the mist, thriving without rain for many months. 

A Floral Shift
Coastal buckwheat bursts into pink and rust-colored bloom, spreading across the bluffs. Gumplant’s resinous yellow flowers feed native bees and butterflies like the Mylitta crescent. Seaside daisy and yarrow persist in patches, drawing native insects through long summer days. These blooms thrive in the salt and wind. Check out the Amazing Plants of Coastal San Mateo County webinar with Toni Corelli to learn more about our local coastal plants. 

Photo Credit: Beau

Birdlife and Shorelines
Wavecrest is alive with bird activity in summer. Red-tailed hawks and white-tailed kites hover above the grasslands, while brown pelicans glide along the horizon. On the beach, western snowy plovers nest in fragile hollows. In the scrub, migratory Wilson’s warblers flash yellow as they forage. Resident Anna’s hummingbirds buzz between blooms, while the occasional migratory rufous hummingbird lingers. Enjoy Alvaro Jarmillo’s Introduction to Fogbelt Birding

Coastal Orb-Weavers
At dawn or dusk, orb-weaving spiders (like Araneus diadematus) spin intricate webs between coyote brush and along trail edges. Their webs catch the morning fog, glistening briefly before drying in the sun. In summer, their numbers increase as prey (like flies and moths) become more abundant. Check out the Coastside Bugs webinar with Dr. Stephanie Dole to learn more about our local coastal bugs. 

Slow Down and Take Care
Summer invites us to walk slowly, notice more, and connect deeply with the living coast. As you explore trails and open spaces preserved by Coastside Land Trust, take time to notice summer’s signs—and let’s all help protect what makes this place special. 

Please donate to help preserve and protect our coastal open spaces

THE RESULTS ARE IN!

We asked you to cast your vote for the MOST LEGENDARY GOAT from our six magnificent contenders in the ultimate G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) showdown, and we have tallied the results!

Drumroll please…

JOY takes the crown!!!

This brown-and-white bundle of happiness trotted straight into our hearts—and yours. With that beaming goat smile and unstoppable charm, Joy has officially earned the title of 2025’s Most Legendary Goat!

Help us keep the tradition going strong! Please consider donating to support the return of goats to the Railroad Right of Way next year.

** Thank you to Chloe Standez, a recent local high school graduate, for capturing such great photos of the goat contestants! **

Volunteer Opportunity: Help Monitor Water Quality with Snapshot Day – July 12

Coastside Land Trust is excited to share a fantastic community science opportunity hosted by the San Mateo Resource Conservation District. Join Clifton Hermann—who co-presented our recent Water Quality on the Coastside webinar—for Snapshot Day 2025 on Saturday, July 12, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Snapshot Day is the largest single-day water quality monitoring event in California, spanning from San Mateo County to San Luis Obispo. Volunteers will take field measurements like temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen, while water samples are collected for lab analysis. No prior experience is needed—training is provided, and all are welcome!

Your participation contributes to the long-term protection of rivers and streams that flow into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/snapshotday2025
Where: Streams and rivers throughout San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo counties
When: Saturday, July 12, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

To learn more about local water quality efforts, check out our recent Coastside Land Trust webinar with Clifton Hermann and Kellyx Nelson:
🎥 Watch: Water Quality on the Coastside

Let’s work together to keep our local waterways healthy!

The Ultimate G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) Goat Showdown!

Time to vote for the most legendary goat from our six magnificent contenders. Feast your eyes on their epic pics and choose the ultimate GOAT

Another Year, Another Great Goat Gallop — Thanks for Coming Out!

A huge thank you to everyone who came out Sunday morning for this year’s Running of the Goats! It was a cloven-hoofed celebration of community spirit, with cheers echoing down the trail as our four-legged champions trotted by. Watching local families and Half Moon Bay friends gather for this delightfully quirky tradition truly warmed our hearts—this is what makes our town so unique.

Snapped any standout shots of the big run? We’d love to see your favorite goat-ographs! Send them over to kate@coastsidelandtrust.org—your photo might just end up in the spotlight.

And speaking of spotlight—stay tuned! We’ll be opening the polls this week so you can vote for your favorite goat. That’s right, it’s time to show some love to the stars of the show (bribes in the form of snacks are strictly between you and them).

Help us keep this fun tradition going! Please consider donating to support bringing the goats back to the Railroad Right of Way next year.

In a world that can feel a little chaotic, there's nothing like the pure joy of goats taking center stage — a perfect reminder to stay tuned for more feel-good moments ahead.

The Goats Are On The Move! Join Us for the Running of the Goats – This Sunday at 10 AM

"Running of the Goats"
This Sunday Morning!
June 22
10:00 am

It’s almost time for one of Half Moon Bay’s most beloved and quirky traditions — the annual Running of the Goats! Mark your calendars and join us this Sunday, June 22 at 10 AM at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Poplar Street (MAP) to witness the magic!

Dozens of goats from Star Creek Land Stewards will trot down Poplar Street into the Railroad right-of-way, hooves clicking, tails wagging, and fuzzy heads bobbing. Whether you’re 2 or 92, it’s an unforgettable sight that brings joy, laughter, and a touch of wonder to everyone who watches.

More than just a charming spectacle, this goat run marks the start of an important planned grazing project in partnership with Coastside Land Trust and the City of Half Moon Bay. These hardworking goats play a vital role in:

• Reducing wildfire fuel

• Aerating and fertilizing the soil

• Promoting native plant growth

• Supporting ecosystem health without machinery or chemicals

The goats launch at 10:00 AM, so arrive early to catch the full experience and find a good viewing spot!

We hope to see you there — come celebrate this unique blend of land stewardship and local tradition with us.

Wavecrest Coastal Trail Project Construction Update Webinar Recording

Catch up on the latest developments in the Wavecrest Coastal Trail Project with this recorded webinar led by Wavecrest coastal Trail project update presented by Sara Polgar, CLT Chief Operating Officer and Trail Project Manager. Learn about the planned coastal and connector trails, new amenities—including beach access stairs and parking areas—and the critical habitat restoration and erosion control efforts now underway. Sara also shares key updates on the construction schedule and what to expect during this summer’s build season - starting in July. Stay informed and connected with this transformative coastal access project!

Please help to support this important work—and help preserve, protect, and steward our shared open space:

The Goats Are Getting Ready To Run!

One of Half Moon Bay’s quirkiest and most beloved traditions is almost here: the annual goat run down Poplar Street into the Railroad right-of-way. If you've ever witnessed a few dozen goats trotting by like they’ve got somewhere very important to be—you know it’s not something you forget. Whether you're 2 or 92, it’s hard not to smile at the sound of hooves on pavement and the sight of a fuzzy herd on a mission.

We’re still waiting on the official date and time, but it’s looking like the run will happen about a week from this weekend. We’ll share details the moment they’re confirmed—stay tuned!

The goats come from Star Creek Land Stewards, in partnership with Coastside Land Trust and the City of Half Moon Bay, as part of a planned grazing project. While it may look like a goat parade, they’re actually performing critical land stewardship: reducing wildfire fuel, aerating soil, fertilizing the land, and helping native plants flourish—all without the need for machines, chemicals, or fossil fuels.

It’s good for the land, good for the goats, and a whole lot of fun for everyone watching.

We’ll keep you posted—until then, get ready for a little hoofed hustle down Poplar Street!

Check out Steve Maller’s incredible drone footage from last year’s run…

Wavecrest Coastal Trail Project Construction Update: Community webinar

Wavecrest Coastal Trail Project Construction Update:

Presented by Sara Polgar- Wavecrest Coastal Trail Project Manager

Saturday, June 14, 2025

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Join us for an exclusive update on the Wavecrest Coastal Trail Project! In this webinar, Project Manager Sara Polgar will provide an in-depth overview of the planned Coastal Trail and connector trails, including parking, amenities, and beach access stairs. Sara will also highlight the habitat restoration and erosion control efforts that are key to this exciting coastal access project.

Get the latest details on the project schedule and learn about the upcoming summer construction activities, including the development of gravel trails, parking areas, and restoration zones. Don't miss out on this opportunity to stay informed and engaged with this important community initiative!

If you register for this event you can join us live, or view it as a webinar recording. A recording link will be sent to all registrants.
View all past webinars HERE. 

Evening Blooms and Buzzing Life: A Glimpse of Wavecrest's Spring Magic

As spring deepens on the San Mateo Coast, the Wavecrest Open Space comes alive in the most subtle and magical ways. During the golden hours of dusk, the coastal breeze slows, the light softens, and the native plants and pollinators of our open space put on a show—if you know where (and when) to look.

One of the most striking sights right now is the California paintbrush (Castilleja spp.), glowing orange and red in the warm light. These semi-parasitic wildflowers thrive in native grasslands and coastal scrub, drawing their strength from the roots of nearby plants. Their brilliant bracts—often mistaken for petals—catch the low sun like fire.

Nearby, the soap plant (Chlorogalum pomeridianum) opens its delicate white flowers only at dusk. Known as "amole" to Indigenous Californians, soap plant has long, curling leaves and sends up tall stalks where flowers bloom briefly in the evening, offering nectar to crepuscular pollinators.

Visit these same plants in the midday sun and you'd hardly guess the magic they hold. The soap plant’s flowers are tightly closed, waiting for evening. It’s a quiet reminder that much of nature’s drama unfolds when we slow down and look carefully.

While watching the flowers, you may also noticed something extraordinary beneath your feet—a small hole in the earth, just off a grassy trail, where bumblebees are coming and going with purpose. Bumblebees are ground nesters, and this humble entrance likely leads to an underground hive. Unlike the hives of honeybees, these wild colonies are seasonal, home to a queen and a few hundred workers.

These native pollinators are essential to the health of our open space, helping plants like the paintbrush and soap plant thrive from year to year.

Whether you’re walking the Wavecrest trails in broad daylight or pausing at sunset, there’s always more than meets the eye. This land is living, blooming, and buzzing—with stories written in color and flight. If you can spare the time, come take a walk and enjoy this beauty that so many of you and we have been working so hard to preserve!

You can also check out these great webinars that orient us to this incredible open space and the natural wonders of the coast!

Help us safeguard and care for these cherished coastal open spaces…