Hi folks,
Quick anecdotal update/context regarding the bicycle campsites at Francis Beach Campground at Halfmoon Bay State Park:
The bicycle camp is located on the north end Francis Beach Campground. Kelly Avenue goes right by the bicycle camp and turns into the Halfmoon Bay Coastal Trail.
Apparently, there are homeless people that frequent the Halfmoon Bay Coastal Trail and come into the campground area. On top of that, there is a bit of recreational pedestrian traffic that uses Kelly Avenue to get around the park and access the Coastal Trail.
The evening I was there in early May 2024 a fellow bicycle tour camper had is pannier stolen out of one of the wooden food lockers.
A homeless guy had walked through and looked into the locker and took his pannier. The bike camper was able to alert a law enforcement state park ranger.
The ranger made contact with the suspect and was able to get the pannier back to the bike camper. Close call.
Takeaway: this is a nice place to bike camp. The showers and water tap are close by and there are some cool trees to pitch your tent next to. There is a bit of open space between the bike camp and the motor vehicle campsites. The place can be windy, but there is ample grass/lawn to spread out on and it's a pretty relaxing place. But I would really watch your belongings when bicycle camping here. This is especially true to if you plan on leaving your belongings unattended. I would recommend locking your bicycle if you brought a lock on tour as well.
Take care out there and happy touring!
