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