Half Moon Bay Poplar Beach

• Wind directionWSW (240°) → WNW (290°)
• Ideal speed10–18 mph
• Upper limits≤ 22 mph base · gusts ≤ 25

Low coastal bluff ridge-soaring site on the Pacific shore at Half Moon Bay (sea-level, ~0 ft MSL bluffs). ParaglidingEarth lists usable takeoff octants as SW, W, NW (all marked "2"=good), with all other directions unusable. The bluff faces roughly west, so the IDEAL wind is straight onshore from the WSW-W (centered ~270 deg); SW and NW are the working cross/edge limits. Because it is a low bluff, smooth straight-in onshore flow is required — best in the steady afternoon onshore sea breeze. Wind too far S or N becomes cross/parallel and unsoarable. HAZARDS: eroded gullies/ravines cut into the bluff funnel and accelerate the wind (can give strong lift but also pull a glider into the gully walls); typical coastal-bluff venturi/compression and possible lee rotor behind houses/structures and at the gully mouths; landing options are the beach below (watch tide/surf) or the bluff top. Light coastal soaring spot suited to lower airtime once conditions are dialed, but the gully turbulence makes it best for pilots comfortable in compressed bluff lift. Speeds: needs roughly 10-18 mph onshore to soar; above ~22 mph base / 25 mph gusts it becomes overpowered/penetration-marginal for a low bluff. No explicit club/USHPA numeric guide found — speed values inferred from coastal-bluff norms; direction arc is from ParaglidingEarth orientation data.