Cove Beach

Cove Beach is a lovely and wild rocky south-facing beach on Año Nuevo Point just a half mile from the main parking area in Año Nuevo State Park. The short trail from the visitor center leads to the east end of the beach near Highway 1. The other end of Cove Beach is reached by a short, steep trail that branches off from Año Nuevo Point Trail about three-quarters of a mile from the parking area.

At low tide it is possible to walk from one end of the beach to the other, but even then the beach is narrow and care must be taken to always watch for sneaker waves. The beach consists of dark sand and black pebbles, and it offers distant views of the abandoned light station on Año Nuevo Island. New Years Creek crosses the beach at the east end, and heavy rains might make that crossing a bit tricky. If the tides permit a walk along the length of the beach, it is likely there will not be anyone else to break the solitude of this beautiful spot.