Whaler’s Cove beach access reopens at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel
Posted by admin on Jul 2, 2007
For the first time in 13 years, the Whaler’s Cove beach adjacent to the Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel is again accessible to the public, thanks to years of effort by the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST).
POST has built two dozen recycled redwood stairs to the beach at the cove, enabling visitors to enjoy the spectacular rock-strewn beach once more. Located 20 miles south of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1, the beach is part of the Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park, home to the Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel.
"POST purchased Whaler’s Cove in May 2000 to protect its inspiring views and unique cultural and historic values from development of a private motel that was already being built on the site," says POST President Audrey Rust. "It’s hard to believe that access to the cove, where tide pools team with sea life and whales make their graceful migration, was nearly closed forever when the previous owner posted ‘No Trespassing’ signs and put up a fence obstructing the way to the beach. Thanks to POST supporters, the motel and fence are gone and the beach at Whaler’s Cove is now accessible to all who wish to enjoy it."
The new stairs at Whaler’s Cove connect the beach to the scenic bluff top above, which is home to Mel’s Lane, a quarter-mile section of the California Coastal Trail, as well an inviting seating area and boardwalk built by POST.
Whaler’s Cove boasts a rich and colorful past. Portuguese whalers once hauled their catch onto the beach, which in the mid-1800s was also a loading ground for sending timber to market. Rum-runners secretly used the shores to deliver their stashes of liquor, and in the mid-1940s, a commercial oyster farming operation occupied the cove. Historical remains are partially visible on the property today.
More recently, in 1981, a private buyer purchased Whaler’s Cove with the intent to construct a private home on the site. In 1994, the owner changed her plans and sought permission from San Mateo County to develop a nine-unit motel instead. As part of the negotiations, she agreed to give the 1.5-acre beach portion of the property to the state. However, she maintained title to the access points for the beach and promptly erected a chain-link fence and posted "No Trespassing" signs, effectively blocking access to the beach. The opening of the new stairs at Whaler’s Cove marks the first time in 13 years that the public will officially be able to access the beach again.
"A visit to Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park is inspiring. We hope visitors will enjoy the magnificent natural beauty of Whaler’s Cove while exploring California’s rich maritime history," says Paul Keel, supervising ranger for California Coastal State Parks. "It’s no surprise this park is home to many of the most frequently photographed scenic views on the San Mateo Coast. We are pleased that with POST’s help we are able to reopen the beach at Whaler’s Cove to the public."
Perched on a cliff on the central California coast, the 115-foot Pigeon Point Lighthouse has guided mariners since 1872. The Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel provides comfortable, affordable accommodations in the restored lighthouse keeper’s quarters. Guests can opt for shared or private rooms, and also enjoy cozy lounges, fully equipped kitchens, a clifftop hot tub, and amenities including satellite Internet, free WiFi, and free parking. On weekends, free history walks guided by State Parks docents are available on the hostel grounds.
The Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel is also a popular spot for whale watching, and a convenient base for exploring nearby coastside communities as well as the ancient redwood forests at Butano State Park, the bird sanctuary of Pescadero Marsh, and Ano Nuevo State Reserve, breeding site of northern elephant seals.