Half Moon Bay is a coastal community in San Mateo County in California, 30 minutes south of San Francisco. The area has a rich history, beautiful beaches, prime surfing and plenty to occupy visitors, including shopping, bike trails, farm tours and festivals.
Oceanside:
The curving slice of coast in Half Moon Bay offers endless opportunities for ocean excursions. Beaches to chose from include Roosevelt Beach, Dunes Beach, Venice Beach and the Half Moon Bay State Park at Francis Beach. The beaches offer prime fishing, picnicking, surfing and sunbathing. For those who like to rough it in paradise, there are campgrounds at Francis Beach. Fitness enthusiasts will enjoy the three-mile Coastside Trail for biking and walking. There's a horseback riding trail, too, which stretches from Dunes Beach to Francis Beach. Stables in Half Moon Bay rent horses and offer guided trail and beach rides. The water at Half Moon Bay is cold all year and has strong rip currents, so swim with caution. A mile offshore is the surf spot Mavericks, world-famous for its big waves. Novices need not apply. Mavericks is for experienced surfers only.
Downtown:
Downtown Half Moon Bay is a browser's delight. There are shops, art galleries, restaurants, cafes, bookstores and pubs to explore. Check out the Coastside Farmer's Market located at Kelly Avenue and Shoreline 1. The market is seasonal, so call ahead for hours. Get in touch with Half Moon Bay's agricultural past and present by visiting Daylight Farms. The dahlia farm blooms from June to October. Tours are available, as is dinnertime with the farm owners. The farm sells produce, herbs, flowers, pumpkins and seeds. Bring your own fish, wine and cheese for dinner. Another great market to explore is the Half Moon Bay Coastal Flower Market at the corner of Main and Kelly, which typically runs from November through April. Half Moon Bay plays host to many festivals and seasonal events. The Fourth of July fireworks spectacular, called Light Up the Sky, is not to be missed. The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is held the weekend after Columbus Day and features seasonal crafts, pumpkin patches, food, pie-eating contests and carving contests. In December there is the Nights of Light, where the shops of downtown Half Moon Bay stay open late for the holidays and there are horse-drawn carriages, street performers and visits with Santa Claus.
Historic Half Moon Bay:
Half Moon Bay was the first real town in San Mateo County. Originally the area was known as San Benito and later as Spanishtown. Like most of California, Half Moon Bay experienced an influx of people due to the Gold Rush. The region was settled by people of many different nationalities, including Chinese, English, Germans, Irish, Mexicans, Scots, Portuguese and Pacific Islanders. Today, Half Moon Bay offers great opportunities to explore the past. Visit the Johnston House, just south of Half Moon Bay. The house features classic New England salt box architecture, with two stories in the front and one in the back. It was built in the 1850s by James Johnston, who was a gold rush pioneer and saloon-keeper. The Johnston House is typically closed in October, November and December, except for a holiday exhibit in the first two weekends in November. Call ahead for hours. Check out the Half Moon Bay Jail on Johnston Street. Built in 1911, the jail has historical exhibits and tours. There is also the Ocean Shore Railway Station, the depot located near Francis Beach. The station is a testament to the boom the area experienced when the Ocean Shore Railway blazed along the shore.
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