About Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay:

Half Moon Bay, CA is a coastal gem that seems to be untouched by time. A walk through the center of town is like going back to yesteryear, but don't let the vintage facade fool you, it's home to many delightful restaurants and shops that can cater to just about any interest.

Although Half Moon Bay gets far fewer visitors than its touristy counterparts Santa Cruz and Monterey, its streets swell with people every October when the Art & Pumpkin Festival hits town. If you plan to attend this highly publicized and populated event, you may want to make hotel reservations early.

Area Snapshot:


Location – Located 30 miles south of San Francisco and 45 miles north of Santa Cruz.

Population – Around 13,050 residents

Established – The town has been thriving since the early 1900's

Weather – Generally speaking, Half Moon Bay has the warmest daytime temperatures during the spring and fall months. During the summer months, the days can be overcast, foggy, and very chilly – especially in June and July . Winter months are often overcast, rainy and cold.

Primary Industries – farming, ranching, fishing, and tourism.

Half Moon Bay - Travel Guide

Best Tide:
variable, depends on sandbars

Best Swell Direction:
W, NW, SW

Best Size:
small to overhead

Best Wind:
E or glassy

Perfect-O-Meter:
Potential for 9, but rare. More like a 3 on most days. (1=Lake Erie; 10=Jeffreys Bay)

Bottom:
sand, some rock.

Ability Level:
beginner to advanced

Bring Your:
good tube riding board, sense of adventure, friends

Best Season:
year-round

Access:
Most of the roads off Highway 1 lead to the beach. Some end in State Parks, some end in dirt parking lots.

Crowd Factor:
easily avoidable

Local Vibe:
easily avoidable

Bicep Burn:
5. Moderate. (1=1ft Waikiki; 10=15ft Ocean Beach)

Poo Patrol:
3 a few creeks flow into the water from nearby farms. (1=clean; 10=turds in the lineup)

Shark Danger:
They're out there. (1=none; 10=bring an iron cage)

Hazards:
Loneliness, Currents, Shorebreak poundings. Angry farmers.

Area Attractions:

• Eco-friendly Activities – Surrounded by the natural beauty of the ocean and green spaces, Half Moon Bay is home to many eco-friendly activities that can cater to just about any outdoor enthusiast.

• Fishing & Whale-Watching Tours – Charter a boat and enjoy a day of deep-sea fishing or a join in on a whale-watching excursion

• Pillar Point Marsh – A great location for beach-combers and bird-watchers.

• Half Moon Bay State Beach – Made up of several great beaches with long sandy shorelines that are perfect for swimming, surfing, surf fishing, beach-combing, etc.

• Agriculture Tourism – Half Moon Bay is surrounded by area gardens, organic farms, demonstration farms, greenhouses and much more.

• Half Moon Bay Coastside & Bluff Top Trails – The 3+ mile Bluff Top Trail offers sweeping ocean views for walkers, joggers, strollers and bike riders. It also has easy beach access for sunbathing, kite flying, and picnicking ..

• Pillar Point Harbor – Full of outdoor activities including boating, kayaking, walking, biking, bird-watching, surf fishing, and much more.

Tourist Destinations:

• City Center – Downtown Half Moon Bay offers many unique boutiques, restaurants and book shops.

• Harbor Village – Located in the Pillar Point Harbor, the recently complete Harbor Village is home to the area's only indoor mall, Oceano Hotel & Spa, and several restaurants

• Pasta Moon Restaurant – 315 Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA (650) 726-5126

Explorer1.com Review ─ A nice cozy ambiance, great food and service make this a wonderful choice for a special occasion or romantic dinner. Prices range from moderate to expensive.

• Half Moon Bay Brewing Company – 390 Capistrano Ave., Pillar Point Harbor, CA (650) 728-2739

• Cetrella Bistro & Café – 845 Main St., Half Moon Bay, CA (650) 726-4090

Explorer1.com Review ─ Great desserts, good food, and an inviting ambiance make this an excellent choice for a special occasion or romantic dinner. Please note, though, that the menu items can be a little unusual, so it's not the best place for those that aren't adventurous eaters and children. Also, during brunch, I found that their service can be a little below par, and their cocktails can be a little overpowering -- especially their bloody Mary. Dinner and brunch prices are expensive.

Festivals/Annual Events:

• Art & Pumpkin Festival – If you plan to attend this highly publicized and populated event in October, you may want to make hotel reservations early!

• Mavericks Annual Surf Contest – Just north of Half Moon Bay in Princeton, CA, the famous Mavericks can be found a ½ mile off of the Pillar Point Marsh shoreline.

During the winter months, the perfect set of environmental conditions can come together to create some of the biggest waves on the planet! Although spectacular to look at, the waves at Mavericks should only be negotiated by professionals. Less experienced surfers can find more appropriate waves along the local beach beaks.