Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay is a city on the Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. The Half Moon Bay Coastside is a rural seaside community about 30 miles (45 km) south of San Francisco, and only an hour's drive from virtually anywhere in the Bay Area.

Half Moon Bay's visitor information center offer maps, brochures, directories, and other information for tourists.

• Half Moon Bay Visitor Information Center, 235 Main St (from westbound Hwy 92, turn left on to Main Street, +1 650 726-8380. M–F 9AM–5PM, Sa Su 10AM–3PM. Closed on all holidays. Visitor Information Center run by the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce & Visitors' Bureau.

The climate in Half Moon Bay is more "foggy San Francisco" than "sunny California" in style. It's easy to spot the tourists on the beach: they're the ones shivering in bikinis. The locals are more likely to be found in wetsuits or strolling along the beach in shirts and rolled-up pants. Although there are cold snaps that drop below freezing every few years or so, and a few days here or there that are warm enough to be uncomfortable every year, on typical days, it's cool and somewhat windy, but not downright cold. Even in the summer, you'll want to pack a jacket or an extra shirt to put on when the ocean breeze kicks up in the early evening. Plan for rain from mid-October through April.

Half Moon Bay Visitor Information Center, 235 Main St (from westbound Hwy 92, turn left on to Main Street, +1 650 726-8380. M–F 9AM–5PM, Sa Su 10AM–3PM. Closed on all holidays. Visitor Information Center run by the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce & Visitors' Bureau.

Almost all of the beaches are on or off of California State Highway 1 (a.k.a. the Pacific Coast Highway) (Note some addresses are given as CA Highway 1, the Cabrillo Highway or the PCH.)

• Bean Hollow State Beach & Pebble Beach, +1 650 879-2170. Due to the heavy surf and rip tide, swimming is not recommended, but it's a fine place to climb on the rocks or have a picnic. You can explore tide pools and the self-guided nature trail. Dogs allowed if kept on leashes at all times. Restrooms next to the parking lot.
• Cowell Ranch State Beach, +1 650 726-8819. The entrance to Cowell Ranch is a fairly long hike in and leads to cliffs overlooking the ocean. It is a steep hike down to the beach.
• Dunes State Beach, +1 650 726-8819. Sister beach of Venice State Beach and Francis State Beach. Part of the Waterfront Coastside Trail system.
• Gray Whale Cove State Beach a.k.a Devil's Slide, Highway 1, +1 650 726-8819. The two nicknames derive from the fact that 1) gray whales can be seen from the beach and 2) there are steep landslide trails. This is a clothing optional beach.
• Francis State Beach, +1 650 726-8819. Sister beach of Venice State Beach and Dunes State Beach. Part of the Waterfront Coastside Trail system. Also home of the Half Moon Bay State Beach headquarters
• Montara State Beach, +1 650 726-8819. One of the more popular beaches in Half Moon bay due to easy access and low hills, the beach provides opportunity for swimming, exploration of tide pools and surf fishing. There is also a lighthouse at Point Montara that has been converted to a bed and breakfast.
• Mavericks & Pillar Point Marsh, +1 650 728-3584. Home of the legendary Mavericks Surf Contest. This area is not recommended for swimming. (It is not recommend for surfing either but the people who compete in the contest are professional and a tad crazy.) The huge crashing waves are a sight to see.
• Naples / Roosevelt State Beach, +1 650 726-8819. Part of the Waterfront Coastside Trail system.
• Pescadero State Beach. Explore the tide pools or watch the waves crash along the rocks. It's a great place for bird watchers. Sister beach of Pomponio State Beach.
• Pigeon Point Beach. Home of the Pigeon Point Lighthouse.
• Pomponio State Beach. This beach is at the base of sand stone cliffs that are not as hard to reach as steeper trails. Sister beach of Pescardero State Beach.
• San Gregorio State Beach. Discovered by Explorer Gaspar de Portolá in 1769, the beach is strewn with driftwood and there is also a bird sanctuary. This is a clothing optional beach.
• Venice State Beach, +1 650 726-8819. Sister beach of Dunes State Beach and Francis State Beach. Part of the Waterfront Coastside Trail system.
• Waterfront Coastside Trail, +1 650 726-8297. The trail systems goes through Naples, Roosevelt Beach, Dunes Beach, Venice Beach, Francis Beach and Bluff Top Coastal Park.

Bean Hollow State Beach & Pebble Beach, +1 650 879-2170. Due to the heavy surf and rip tide, swimming is not recommended, but it's a fine place to climb on the rocks or have a picnic. You can explore tide pools and the self-guided nature trail. Dogs allowed if kept on leashes at all times. Restrooms next to the parking lot.

Cowell Ranch State Beach, +1 650 726-8819. The entrance to Cowell Ranch is a fairly long hike in and leads to cliffs overlooking the ocean. It is a steep hike down to the beach.

Dunes State Beach, +1 650 726-8819. Sister beach of Venice State Beach and Francis State Beach. Part of the Waterfront Coastside Trail system.

Gray Whale Cove State Beach a.k.a Devil's Slide, Highway 1, +1 650 726-8819. The two nicknames derive from the fact that 1) gray whales can be seen from the beach and 2) there are steep landslide trails. This is a clothing optional beach.

Francis State Beach, +1 650 726-8819. Sister beach of Venice State Beach and Dunes State Beach. Part of the Waterfront Coastside Trail system. Also home of the Half Moon Bay State Beach headquarters

Montara State Beach, +1 650 726-8819. One of the more popular beaches in Half Moon bay due to easy access and low hills, the beach provides opportunity for swimming, exploration of tide pools and surf fishing. There is also a lighthouse at Point Montara that has been converted to a bed and breakfast.

Mavericks & Pillar Point Marsh, +1 650 728-3584. Home of the legendary Mavericks Surf Contest. This area is not recommended for swimming. (It is not recommend for surfing either but the people who compete in the contest are professional and a tad crazy.) The huge crashing waves are a sight to see.

Naples / Roosevelt State Beach, +1 650 726-8819. Part of the Waterfront Coastside Trail system.

Pescadero State Beach. Explore the tide pools or watch the waves crash along the rocks. It's a great place for bird watchers. Sister beach of Pomponio State Beach.

Pigeon Point Beach. Home of the Pigeon Point Lighthouse.

Pomponio State Beach. This beach is at the base of sand stone cliffs that are not as hard to reach as steeper trails. Sister beach of Pescardero State Beach.

San Gregorio State Beach. Discovered by Explorer Gaspar de Portolá in 1769, the beach is strewn with driftwood and there is also a bird sanctuary. This is a clothing optional beach.

Venice State Beach, +1 650 726-8819. Sister beach of Dunes State Beach and Francis State Beach. Part of the Waterfront Coastside Trail system.

Waterfront Coastside Trail, +1 650 726-8297. The trail systems goes through Naples, Roosevelt Beach, Dunes Beach, Venice Beach, Francis Beach and Bluff Top Coastal Park.

• Rock the Block Coastside Block Party, +1 650 726-8380. Late May. Sponsored by Chamber Office.
• Portuguese Pentecostal Festival, +1 650 726-2729. 7 weeks after Easter. Sponsored by IDES Society.
• Classics By The Sea Car Show, +1 650 726-8380. Late July or early August. Sponsored by Chamber Office.
• Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, +1 650 726-9652. Early to mid-October. Sponsored by Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee.

Rock the Block Coastside Block Party, +1 650 726-8380. Late May. Sponsored by Chamber Office.

Portuguese Pentecostal Festival, +1 650 726-2729. 7 weeks after Easter. Sponsored by IDES Society.

Classics By The Sea Car Show, +1 650 726-8380. Late July or early August. Sponsored by Chamber Office.

Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, +1 650 726-9652. Early to mid-October. Sponsored by Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee.

• Coastal Flower Market, +1 650 712-9439. Third Saturday of every month (except October).
• Coastside Books, 432 Main St, +1 650 726-5889. 10AM to 5PM. Serving Half Moon Bay since 1972, Coastside Books has a carefully selected stock of current fiction, biography, history, science and nature, spiritual books, and children's literature.

Coastal Flower Market, +1 650 712-9439. Third Saturday of every month (except October).

Coastside Books, 432 Main St, +1 650 726-5889. 10AM to 5PM. Serving Half Moon Bay since 1972, Coastside Books has a carefully selected stock of current fiction, biography, history, science and nature, spiritual books, and children's literature.

• Ketch Joanne Restaurant and Harbor Bar, 17 Johnson Pier, +1 650 728-3747. 7AM–9PM most nights; open later on weekends. Good food and substantial portions in a busy, usually noisy, harbor restaurant. Attached bar becomes popular later in the evenings. $10–30.
• Sam's Chowder House, 4210 North Cabrillo Hwy (between Surfer’s Beach and Pillar Point Harbor, +1 650 712-0245. 11:30AM–9PM, slightly longer on weekends. Large seafood restaurant just above the beach, with live music Friday and Saturday. The deck has great views and is a great place to sit around the fire pits. It's also dog-friendly. NBC's Today Show named their Lobster Roll ($27) as one of the five "best sandwiches in America". For an unusual experience, call at least 48 hours in advance to get a "lobster clambake to go". They'll put together a large pot of seafood that you can steam over a fire (or a stove), plus clam chowder and coleslaw. Almost everything on the menu can be ordered for take-out. Reservations recommended, especially on holidays and summer weekends $20–40.
• Cameron’s Inn, Restaurant & Pub, 1410 South Cabrillo Hwy (South edge of town, +1 650 726-5705. Opens at 11AM daily. Mostly English pub fare in an ostentatiously English environment. Offers everything from pasties to pizza, or from bangers to burgers. Includes a store that sells English candy bars and other treats that can be hard to find in the US. $12–25.
• Dad's Luncheonette, 225 South Cabrillo Hwy, +1 650 560-9832. Th-Fr: 11AM-7PM; Sa-Su: 11AM- 5:30PM. Try whatever special they are serving that day. Expect a satisfying, homemade meal in a cozy space.

Ketch Joanne Restaurant and Harbor Bar, 17 Johnson Pier, +1 650 728-3747. 7AM–9PM most nights; open later on weekends. Good food and substantial portions in a busy, usually noisy, harbor restaurant. Attached bar becomes popular later in the evenings. $10–30.

Sam's Chowder House, 4210 North Cabrillo Hwy (between Surfer’s Beach and Pillar Point Harbor, +1 650 712-0245. 11:30AM–9PM, slightly longer on weekends. Large seafood restaurant just above the beach, with live music Friday and Saturday. The deck has great views and is a great place to sit around the fire pits. It's also dog-friendly. NBC's Today Show named their Lobster Roll ($27) as one of the five "best sandwiches in America". For an unusual experience, call at least 48 hours in advance to get a "lobster clambake to go". They'll put together a large pot of seafood that you can steam over a fire (or a stove), plus clam chowder and coleslaw. Almost everything on the menu can be ordered for take-out. Reservations recommended, especially on holidays and summer weekends $20–40.

Cameron’s Inn, Restaurant & Pub, 1410 South Cabrillo Hwy (South edge of town, +1 650 726-5705. Opens at 11AM daily. Mostly English pub fare in an ostentatiously English environment. Offers everything from pasties to pizza, or from bangers to burgers. Includes a store that sells English candy bars and other treats that can be hard to find in the US. $12–25.

Dad's Luncheonette, 225 South Cabrillo Hwy, +1 650 560-9832. Th-Fr: 11AM-7PM; Sa-Su: 11AM- 5:30PM. Try whatever special they are serving that day. Expect a satisfying, homemade meal in a cozy space.

• La Nebbia Winery, 12341 San Mateo Rd, +1 650 726-9463. Formerly Obester Winery.
• Half Moon Bay Winery, 700 Mill St, Ste 4, +1 650 245-8033.
• H.M.B. Brewing Company, 3909 Capistrano Road, Princeton (west off Rt. 1 just north of Half Moon Bay. Seafood restaurant with an excellent and extensive menu (check out the Half Moon Bay Louie salad with Bay Shrimp) at reasonable prices (they offer half size portions too.) Fast, friendly service. Inside and outside dining with good views of Pillar Point Harbor. They book rock and blues bands on the weekends. moderate.

La Nebbia Winery, 12341 San Mateo Rd, +1 650 726-9463. Formerly Obester Winery.

Half Moon Bay Winery, 700 Mill St, Ste 4, +1 650 245-8033.

H.M.B. Brewing Company, 3909 Capistrano Road, Princeton (west off Rt. 1 just north of Half Moon Bay. Seafood restaurant with an excellent and extensive menu (check out the Half Moon Bay Louie salad with Bay Shrimp) at reasonable prices (they offer half size portions too.) Fast, friendly service. Inside and outside dining with good views of Pillar Point Harbor. They book rock and blues bands on the weekends. moderate.

Be careful to check for ticks after hiking in fields in the bay area. There is a high rate of Lyme disease transmission in the Bay Area. If a rash develops at the tick bite site, immediately seek medical help and treatment with antibiotics.

The City of San Francisco is 25 miles to the north, Santa Cruz is 40 miles to the south.