Kayaking & Tidepooling Adventure in Half Moon Bay | Family-Friendly Bay Area Outing 🛶🦀🦭
This adventure ran January 11, 2026. Check out our upcoming adventures for upcoming trips.
Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, 10:30 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.
You and your family are in for such a treat! We're starting 2026 with an epic double adventure — kayaking and tidepooling in one unforgettable day!
High tide in the morning for perfect kayaking conditions, and low tide in the afternoon revealing a hidden underwater world your kids have never seen before!
NOTE: Early Bird pricing ends Sunday, Dec. 14, at 10 p.m. to hold our spots and to give the vendor an accurate headcount ASAP.
Part 1: Morning Kayaking Adventure (10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
🛶🌊 Family Kayaking in a Protected Harbor: Pillar Point Harbor is perfect for beginners and experts alike! We'll paddle through a fun maze of docks and walkways to reach the outer harbor — a little adventure in itself! Please note that the kayak rental fee is separate from the FAS fee.
🦭🦅🐚 Amazing Wildlife: Keep your eyes open for incredible marine life!
🦭 Harbor seals (they may even follow your kayak!)
🦭 Sea lions
🦅 Dozens of very colorful pelicans - you'll see them up close!
🐚 Other shorebirds and coastal wildlife
🚢 Boatwreck: We'll kayak around a cool boatwreck!
Lunch & Exploration (12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.)
🏖️🍕☕🍰 Beachside Picnic & Local Shops: After kayaking, we'll enjoy a picnic on the beach with tables, bathrooms and drinking water available! Plan is for a picnic. We are working on a pizza option and will let the group know. We'll also explore local shops, including coffee and dessert spots!
Part 2: Afternoon Beach Play & Tidepooling Adventure (1:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
🏖️ Beach Play: We'll head to the beach and set up before low tide, giving kids time to play on the beach before the best tidepooling begins!
⭐🦀🦭🐚🔮🦪🪸 Tidepooling: With low tide at 3:20 p.m., we'll have optimal tidepooling from 1:30 p.m. onwards! This is one of the best tidepooling spots in the Bay Area! We'll explore tide pools teeming with life:
⭐ Ochre sea stars slowly hunting their prey
🦀 Hermit crabs, bat stars and giant green sea anemones
🔮 Purple sea urchins tucked in their tiny rock caves
🐌 Gumboot chitons (they're HUGE!) and elegant nudibranchs
🦭 Harbor seals (maybe, and we have to keep our distance)
🦅🦉🐦 Birding & Raptors: Keep your eyes to the sky! We'll look for shorebirds, pelicans, gulls, great blue herons, cormorants, and red-tailed hawks. Once we even saw an osprey flying with a fish caught in its talons!
📸🌊 Tidepooling: We'll be tidepooling during the lowest tide of the day for optimal viewing — bring your camera for stunning coastal shots!
🔍 Scavenger Hunt: Your kids will embark on a fun scavenger hunt and get a non-edible treat!
👨👩👧👦 Meet Other Families: Connect with other adventurous families and enjoy the great outdoors together!
Difficulty: Easy. Kayaking for about 1 hour in protected harbor (age minimum, 3). Flat 0.5-1 mile hike to tidepools.
Don't miss this amazing way to start 2026: kayaking and tidepooling on a King Tide day!
We look forward to welcoming you + your family on the trail!
Approximate Location
2 Johnson Pier, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Difficulty Level
EASY. We'll kayak in the protected harbor for about 1 hour and afterward picnic on the beach; we will not be on open water.
For beach + tidepooling, backpack/front-facing carriers are recommended for toddlers and infants, on the tidepools, which can be slippery.
The hike to the tidepools is flat and can be 0.5 to 1 mile. If we walk on the beach, can use a jogging stroller but there is a small stream to cross (not big but you can get wet). Hoping that we will get to the regular parking lot early enough!
Itinerary
10:15-10:30 a.m. - Arrival & Check-in Arrive at Pillar Point Harbor for check-in and kayak prep. Please be at the kayak vendor by 10:30 a.m. Note: Parking can take some time, so plan accordingly. Very early arrivals can explore downtown Half Moon Bay shops and cafes nearby.
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Kayaking Block Get geared up and on the water by 11:00 a.m. for 1 hour of kayaking through Pillar Point Harbor's protected waters and fun maze. Look for harbor seals, sea lions, colorful pelicans, shorebirds and a cool boatwreck! After kayaking, time to change clothes, dry off and grab items from your car.
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. - Lunch & Exploration Beachside picnic (tables, bathrooms, drinking water available). Pizza option details coming soon! Explore local Half Moon Bay shops, coffee spots, and dessert shops.
1:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Beach Play & King Tide Tidepooling Head to the tidepools for beach play and exploration (0.5-1 mile walk depending on parking). Low tide at 3:20 p.m. means optimal viewing! Discover sea stars, hermit crabs, bat stars, anemones, sea urchins, gumboot chitons, nudibranchs, and more. Watch for shorebirds, pelicans, herons, and raptors overhead.
5:03 p.m. - Optional Sunset Stay for the stunning coastal sunset if you'd like!
What's Included
*Guided adventure, scavenger hunt and educational activities *Digital guide that will make this event EASY for you and your family! (Natural + cultural history, plus food + coffee stops + more) *In-person guided adventure *All logistics *Adventure checklist (what you need to bring) *Treat for the kids *Arts + crafts activity
You’ll also get access to: *First-aid kit *Loaner kit of hiking gear (48-hour notice). Please inquire about what gear is available; I have items for kids and adults, like single/double jogging strollers, Baby Bjorn infant carrier, toddler backpack carrier, hiking poles, etc.
This adventure ran January 11, 2026. Check out our upcoming adventures for upcoming trips.
Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, 10:30 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.
You and your family are in for such a treat! We're starting 2026 with an epic double adventure — kayaking and tidepooling in one unforgettable day!
High tide in the morning for perfect kayaking conditions, and low tide in the afternoon revealing a hidden underwater world your kids have never seen before!
NOTE: Early Bird pricing ends Sunday, Dec. 14, at 10 p.m. to hold our spots and to give the vendor an accurate headcount ASAP.
Part 1: Morning Kayaking Adventure (10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
🛶🌊 Family Kayaking in a Protected Harbor: Pillar Point Harbor is perfect for beginners and experts alike! We'll paddle through a fun maze of docks and walkways to reach the outer harbor — a little adventure in itself! Please note that the kayak rental fee is separate from the FAS fee.
🦭🦅🐚 Amazing Wildlife: Keep your eyes open for incredible marine life!
🦭 Harbor seals (they may even follow your kayak!)
🦭 Sea lions
🦅 Dozens of very colorful pelicans - you'll see them up close!
🐚 Other shorebirds and coastal wildlife
🚢 Boatwreck: We'll kayak around a cool boatwreck!
Lunch & Exploration (12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.)
🏖️🍕☕🍰 Beachside Picnic & Local Shops: After kayaking, we'll enjoy a picnic on the beach with tables, bathrooms and drinking water available! Plan is for a picnic. We are working on a pizza option and will let the group know. We'll also explore local shops, including coffee and dessert spots!
Part 2: Afternoon Beach Play & Tidepooling Adventure (1:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
🏖️ Beach Play: We'll head to the beach and set up before low tide, giving kids time to play on the beach before the best tidepooling begins!
⭐🦀🦭🐚🔮🦪🪸 Tidepooling: With low tide at 3:20 p.m., we'll have optimal tidepooling from 1:30 p.m. onwards! This is one of the best tidepooling spots in the Bay Area! We'll explore tide pools teeming with life:
⭐ Ochre sea stars slowly hunting their prey
🦀 Hermit crabs, bat stars and giant green sea anemones
🔮 Purple sea urchins tucked in their tiny rock caves
🐌 Gumboot chitons (they're HUGE!) and elegant nudibranchs
🦭 Harbor seals (maybe, and we have to keep our distance)
🦅🦉🐦 Birding & Raptors: Keep your eyes to the sky! We'll look for shorebirds, pelicans, gulls, great blue herons, cormorants, and red-tailed hawks. Once we even saw an osprey flying with a fish caught in its talons!
📸🌊 Tidepooling: We'll be tidepooling during the lowest tide of the day for optimal viewing — bring your camera for stunning coastal shots!
🔍 Scavenger Hunt: Your kids will embark on a fun scavenger hunt and get a non-edible treat!
👨👩👧👦 Meet Other Families: Connect with other adventurous families and enjoy the great outdoors together!
Difficulty: Easy. Kayaking for about 1 hour in protected harbor (age minimum, 3). Flat 0.5-1 mile hike to tidepools.
Don't miss this amazing way to start 2026: kayaking and tidepooling on a King Tide day!
We look forward to welcoming you + your family on the trail!
Approximate Location
2 Johnson Pier, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Difficulty Level
EASY. We'll kayak in the protected harbor for about 1 hour and afterward picnic on the beach; we will not be on open water.
For beach + tidepooling, backpack/front-facing carriers are recommended for toddlers and infants, on the tidepools, which can be slippery.
The hike to the tidepools is flat and can be 0.5 to 1 mile. If we walk on the beach, can use a jogging stroller but there is a small stream to cross (not big but you can get wet). Hoping that we will get to the regular parking lot early enough!
Itinerary
10:15-10:30 a.m. - Arrival & Check-in Arrive at Pillar Point Harbor for check-in and kayak prep. Please be at the kayak vendor by 10:30 a.m. Note: Parking can take some time, so plan accordingly. Very early arrivals can explore downtown Half Moon Bay shops and cafes nearby.
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Kayaking Block Get geared up and on the water by 11:00 a.m. for 1 hour of kayaking through Pillar Point Harbor's protected waters and fun maze. Look for harbor seals, sea lions, colorful pelicans, shorebirds and a cool boatwreck! After kayaking, time to change clothes, dry off and grab items from your car.
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. - Lunch & Exploration Beachside picnic (tables, bathrooms, drinking water available). Pizza option details coming soon! Explore local Half Moon Bay shops, coffee spots, and dessert shops.
1:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Beach Play & King Tide Tidepooling Head to the tidepools for beach play and exploration (0.5-1 mile walk depending on parking). Low tide at 3:20 p.m. means optimal viewing! Discover sea stars, hermit crabs, bat stars, anemones, sea urchins, gumboot chitons, nudibranchs, and more. Watch for shorebirds, pelicans, herons, and raptors overhead.
5:03 p.m. - Optional Sunset Stay for the stunning coastal sunset if you'd like!
What's Included
*Guided adventure, scavenger hunt and educational activities *Digital guide that will make this event EASY for you and your family! (Natural + cultural history, plus food + coffee stops + more) *In-person guided adventure *All logistics *Adventure checklist (what you need to bring) *Treat for the kids *Arts + crafts activity
You’ll also get access to: *First-aid kit *Loaner kit of hiking gear (48-hour notice). Please inquire about what gear is available; I have items for kids and adults, like single/double jogging strollers, Baby Bjorn infant carrier, toddler backpack carrier, hiking poles, etc.