PICTURED: California girl, 5, who drowned after being swept off a rock by 'sneaker wave' - as her grandfather remains missing and mom pays tribute to 'a beautiful soul'

The five-year-old girl who drowned after being swept off a rock by a 'sneaker wave' with her grandfather has been identified.

Yaretzi Noemi Biorato died and her 54-year-old grandfather Pascal Soriano is missing after the incident on Martin's Beach in California's Half Moon Bay on Saturday.

Their heartbroken family paid tribute to her 'beautiful soul' and said she spent 'five bright and beautiful' years on earth loving everyone she met.

Yaretzi, from Merced, California, was remembered for her love of unicorns, jewelry, painting her nails, and the color yellow, according to her devastated godfather.

Her mother Yesenia Valenzuela wrote on Facebook: 'My babygirl, mommy's always going to love you and remember you . I love you baby girl I miss you so much.'

In another statement, she wrote: 'My babygurl I miss you so much. Hug your kids tight tell them you love them often. 

'This is so hard . I hate it . Pls keep grandpa pascal in your prayers as well he still hasn't been found.' 

On a GoFundMe, created by the little girl's mom's cousin, the family member wrote: 'I am starting this on behalf of my cousin, Yesenia, who tragically lost her baby girl this past Saturday Nov 25th 2023.

'We lost a beautiful soul unexpectedly, we ask in whatever form that you are able to help so that we are able to lay to rest our beautiful baby girl Yaretzi. 

'God called upon her to enter his kingdom after she shared 5 beautiful and bright years of her life with us. 

'Please offer respect and condolences to her family she leaves behind, and if you are able to contribute to any foreseeable costs we greatly appreciate it.'

San Mateo County firefighters and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to reports that the pair had been hit by a sneaker wave at around 2pm on Saturday on Martin's Beach in California's Half Moon Bay.

Jordan Baldueza, deputy commander, Coast Guard Sector San Francisco said: 'The decision to suspend search efforts is one of the hardest decisions to make, but our crews searched for nearly 24 hours without any sightings of the missing person.

'Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends affected by this very tragic event.'

Although the girl was rescued and taken to the local hospital for treatment, she was pronounced dead on Sunday. 

Coast Guard crews scoured over 100 square miles with helicopters and boats in search of her grandfather for around 22 hours before finally calling it off. 

The California coast, from Point Reyes to Big Sur, has been under a beach hazards advisory all weekend. 

The National Weather Service warned beachgoers to 'remain out of the water' as 'large, unexpected waves can sweep across the beach without warning, sweeping people into the sea from rocks, jetties, and beaches.' 

The weather service forecast the worst sneaker waves would be along west to northwest-facing beaches. Tributes poured in for little Yaretzi. 

Her godfather Jason Salcido wrote: 'Yaretzi, I know there was nothing I could of done. I just wish I could of said goodbye one last time knowing it would be the last. 

'There was a last time, I just didn't know it. I had the privilege to be your godfather your Nino, which I will always be. 

'I know you loved unicorns, you loved jewelry, you loved painting your nails, you loved yellow, you loved everyone and everyone loved you. 

'I was supposed to take care of you but now I hope you watch over me. I miss holding you or holding your hand but I know I'll see you again. 

'I don't know if you can hear me but I love you mi hermosa ahijada. I love you mamas. 'Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven?'