Misty Cliffs is a tiny community between Kommetjie and Scarborough, around an hour’s drive from Cape Town, that is split only by Main Road between the mountain and the ocean. Foggy Cliffs got its name from its quite visible misty cliffs; it looks out over a stormy sea and is known for both amazing days and stunning beaches as well as windy and rainy days, depending on the season.
Misty Cliffs is a little, almost magical hamlet that is also a conservation town on the edge of a natural reserve. It is a lovely spot to find peace and quiet and, in the best of circumstances, has a breathtaking environment. Although not particularly large, the beach is wonderful for strolling and is very close to the much larger and busier Scarborough beach, which is well-liked by surfers. It can get a little crowded during the height of the season, but nothing compared to the incredibly chic Cape Town beaches along the Atlantic Coast.
After day visitors have left, the town of Misty Cliffs reverts to its original state of peace and calm. It is, in essence, one of the few settlements in Cape Town that have been able to maintain its unique character. Even Capetonians, who reside a half-hour away, have been known to purchase beachfront vacation homes here.
There isn’t a lot of advertising here. You will need to travel across the peninsula to Sun Valley and Long Beach Mall to do your shopping because there aren’t any restaurants or shops to speak of, although you may eat out at the family-run Camel Rock in Scarborough. This doesn’t deter the villagers, who adore their community and wouldn’t dream of moving—it’s a tiny price to pay.