On a surprising however small stretch of shoreline halfway between the well-known cities of San Francisco and San Jose, you’ll discover the town of Half Moon Bay. Though guests typically move by or by way of it on a visit down the Pacific Coast Freeway, it’s greater than price your time to cease right here for just a few days to totally discover the world.
The town showcases among the finest Californian landscapes, comparable to its string of gorgeous seashores, the Rancho Corral de Tierra protected space and mountains, and towering redwood forests that the state is so well-known for. Listed below are among the finest issues to do in Half Moon Bay.
Half Moon Bay, California
20 Issues To Do In Half Moon Bay
1- Stroll On Half Moon Bay State Seashore
The principle and hottest seaside in Half Moon Bay, the State seaside, is a superb place to start out exploring.
It’s not a lot of a swimming seaside because of frequent chilly climate right here and robust tides, nevertheless, many individuals merely come to stroll alongside the shoreline, go fishing or get pleasure from a picnic.
It’s one of many solely seashores within the space that provides tenting, so that you’ll typically discover locals and road-trippers organising within the campground right here, making it a surprising place to spend the night time.
2- Play Golf On A Coastal Golf Course
Half Moon Bay has a number of gorgeous golf programs on the coastal cliffs, with views of the Pacific Ocean.
Essentially the most well-known is the Previous Course on the Ritz Carlton Resort, which has the perfect views within the space of the shoreline, cliffs and distant mountains.
The Ocean Course can also be situated excessive on a cliff, and each gap has panoramic views, which is why these are each in style programs for skilled tournaments.
Should you’re a golf fanatic or professional, these two should not price lacking, and afterwards, you may seize a chilly drink on the Ritz Carlton’s well-known bar and gaze by way of floor-to-ceiling home windows at views of the ocean.
3- Stroll The Grey Whale Cove Path
One other considered one of Half Moon Bay’s most lovely strolling routes, the Grey Whale Cove Path, begins on the state seaside of the identical title.
Except for the sweeping seaside and ocean views alongside the whole path, you is likely to be fortunate sufficient to identify the majestic grey whales that the path is known as after splashing about within the ocean.
Should you’re not eager sufficient to do the whole hike, there may be additionally a two-mile model that ends at a scenic cliffside picnic spot to get pleasure from a meal overlooking the gorgeous state seaside.
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4- Go to Pigeon Level Mild Station
A traditional coastal landmark in Half Moon Bay, the Pigeon Level Lighthouse is a historic constructing and one of many tallest remaining lighthouses in America.
Take a stroll alongside the cliffs to go to and also you’ll discover a bookshop and customer’s centre, plus you may even keep the night time.
There are common historic excursions of the grounds, though you may’t go up the lighthouse itself, and the grassy cliffs make a wonderful viewpoint for seeing the waves crash under and the native seals who typically sunbathe on the rocks.
5- Stroll Alongside Major Avenue
Major Avenue in downtown Half Moon Bay is the place you’ll discover the full of life retailers, eating places and bars the place the locals hang around.
There are boutiques, bookshops and cute espresso retailers, plus a customer’s centre the place you may be taught extra in regards to the native space.
Should you’re counting pennies and would slightly not splash out on a room on the Ritz Carlton, that is additionally the place many native inns and B&Bs are situated.
The road comes alive on evenings and weekends.
6- See The Animals At Lemos Farm
Surprisingly, Half Moon Bay has a number of farms that make a enjoyable day trip for each youngsters and adults.
Lemos Farm is especially nice for the previous, as a completely functioning farm with pigs, goats, chickens and bunny rabbits, which youngsters can pet and play with.
Smaller kids also can go for a journey on the farm’s ponies, on a miniature prepare journey or on an inflatable ‘barn slide’.
The farm is finest visited on particular events comparable to at Halloween when pumpkins are grown in full pressure or at Easter when kids can participate of their annual easter egg hunt.
Lemos Farm is at 12320 San Mateo Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
7- Hug A Tree At Purisima Creek Redwoods
Over the past century, a lot of California’s well-known redwoods have been lower down, and preserves comparable to Purisima Creek have been established to guard the remaining forests.
The protect is ideal for out of doors sorts, with over 25 miles (40 km) of trails, though you may merely go to admire the bushes.
Trails vary from simple to tough and move by way of the forest, the place you may see redwoods, flora, and fauna native to the world.
It additionally makes a fairly place to have lunch or a snack, with a scenic picnic space for guests.
8- Hike The California Coastal Path
Half Moon Bay is a mecca for anybody who enjoys a very good coastal path, with heaps to select from.
Among the finest is the California Coastal Path, which has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, passing by numerous landscapes, comparable to forests, meadows and wetlands.
The path stretches for seven miles, starting at Half Moon Bay’s thriving fishing hub, Pillar Level Harbour.
It stretches alongside the shoreline of Half Moon Bay, and sections are of various problem, which means you are able to do some or all of it at your leisure.
9- Discover Pillar Level Harbour
Though technically within the subsequent city over, Pillar Level Harbour is a buzzing hub for Half Moon Bay, which is filled with tons of of boats coming in with their catch.
It’s the place locals and eating places purchase recent fish from the ocean and is the start line for a lot of whale-watching excursions within the space.
Given its reputation, you could find many waterfront eating places right here, primarily serving seafood, and it’s a prime spot to spend a night watching the solar go down or seeing surfers take to the waves on the close by seaside.
10- Discover The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
Within the glowing waters of Moss Seashore, you could find among the space’s most superb rock swimming pools and a various vary of marine life.
Coral, crabs, starfish and extra thrive within the underwater world and taking a stroll right here to identify wildlife is a enjoyable exercise for the entire household.
Throughout the precise season, you may additionally be capable of spot seals and grey whales offshore.
If visiting with small youngsters, remember that the waves right here will be robust, so stick near the shallow tidal swimming pools.
11- Harley Farms
One other nice little working farm in Pescadero, Harley Farms, has all the lovable child animals you can ever dream of, from goats and bunnies to pigs and chickens.
They’ve over 200 goats, so that you’ll have to ebook a tour to see these.
You should buy their recent produce right here, whether or not you wish to prepare dinner one thing recent or use it for a picnic.
In addition they provide a dinner service held of their hayloft, which could be very in style, and this typically sells out as much as six months prematurely, so if you wish to go, be certain that to plan forward.
Harley Farms is at 205 North St, Pescadero, CA 94060.
12- Sunbathe At Pescadero Seashore
Though it’s about 15 miles (24 km) south of Half Moon Bay, Pescadero Seashore is a worthwhile day journey.
The rugged seaside is a scenic spot with excessive cliffs, bluffs and rocky outcrops, the place you may stroll, hike or go fishing.
For households, there are additionally a number of picnic spots and tidal swimming pools to discover.
The seaside is a favorite sunbathing spot for the native sea lions and can also be a preferred bird-watching spot and for wildlife lovers, foxes and deer are sometimes noticed within the space.
13- Hike Round Crystal Springs Reservoir
Half Moon Bay is awash with scenic out of doors spots, and Crystal Springs Reservoir is considered one of them.
The world is dwelling to many various habitats and ecosystems, comparable to wetlands and forests, with two reflective synthetic lakes.
Take a while to go out right here and admire the view or stroll the whole path alongside the reservoirs.
It’s a protected biosphere reserve because of the animals that stay right here; you could spot deer, coyotes and lots of native fowl species.
14- Tour The Half Moon Bay Distillery
Should you’ve already tried Californian wine and made your option to one of many breweries, the following port of name on a Half Moon Bay Journey which serves nice alcohol, is their eponymous distillery.
Though small, they produce wonderful, high-quality, handcrafted spirits.
Most significantly, the 45-minute tour of the distillery, which features a tasting, is free, though you’ll have to ebook prematurely.
Spirits embody gin, vodka, whiskey and brandy, and so they even have a store the place you should buy a bottle of your favorite as a memento earlier than you permit.
15- Ano Nuevo State Park
Ano Nuevo State Park is considered one of Half Moon Bay’s and California’s finest wildlife spots and the perfect place to identify elephant seals.
You’ll solely spot them from December to March, throughout their mating season, however the colony that arrives right here is the biggest on earth, with as much as 10,000 making their option to the shoreline to offer delivery.
Though you may head right here and attempt to spot them, to do the occasion full justice by taking a guided tour. Skilled guides will aid you be taught extra in regards to the animals and tips on how to go to with out disturbing them.
16- Go to A Pumpkin Patch
Should you’re visiting Half Moon Bay throughout Halloween, you’ll be happy to realize it’s typically referred to as the World Pumpkin Capital due to the sheer variety of farms right here.
Pumpkin farms, sadly, see huge visitors in October, primarily from folks desirous to take images with the 1000’s of pumpkins of their fields, however in the event you handle to get into one, it’s a enjoyable factor to do for a day.
You’ll discover a number of adorned barns, scarecrows, photogenic pumpkin patches and extra, and there are additionally normally many Halloween-themed occasions comparable to costume events and performances for everybody to get pleasure from.
17- Go Browsing At Mavericks Seashore
Mavericks is arguably the most effective seashores in Half Moon Bay however is simply in style with one kind of individual, surfers.
The seaside hosts among the greatest surf competitions round because of its extraordinarily excessive waves, making it a prime spot to look at among the finest surfers in motion.
The seaside is a superb place to stroll whereas watching folks catch waves.
These eager for some motion can hire surfboards and take classes obtainable for all talent ranges.
18- Go Beer Tasting At Half Moon Bay Brewing
Half Moon Bay Brewing is likely one of the finest breweries on the West Coast.
Situated near the favored Maverick’s surfer seaside, the brewery and faucet room have a big number of tasty beers on draft and in cans and bottles, so you may style as many as you want.
They typically provide pattern flights containing three or 4 beer samples in case you may’t determine on one.
The brewery additionally has a restaurant with out of doors seating and ocean views which is in style with locals and guests for a chunk to eat and to hearken to stay music on the weekends.
Half Moon Bay Brewing is at 390 Capistrano Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
19- Eat Seafood At Sam’s Chowder Home
Sam’s Chowder Home is likely one of the solely eating places that make it onto a listing of points of interest due to its reputation and fame in Half Moon Bay.
With unimaginable views throughout the ocean and serving among the freshest seafood you’ll discover within the space, it’s nearly at all times full of locals and vacationers.
Their well-known lobster roll has beforehand been voted one of many prime 5 within the USA, so it’s a must-try in the event you’re within the space.
There’s typically stay music, too, making it a stunning place to benefit from the night and style recent Californian cooking.
Sam’s Chowder Home is at 4210 CA-1, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
20- Have A Picnic At La Nebbia Vineyard
Confusingly, Half Moon Bay is likely one of the few areas of California that doesn’t have any vineyards, however you’ll nonetheless discover a wonderful vineyard right here.
Le Nebbia sells scrumptious purple, white and rose wines, that are all domestically produced.
There’s a lot to do right here, comparable to wine tastings or taking a look of their store the place they don’t simply promote nice wines, however a spread of tasty native merchandise.
Their out of doors picnic and seating space is tremendous cosy and is the proper spot for a picnic, or if that’s an excessive amount of effort, you may merely order a charcuterie board dropped at your desk.
La Nebbia Vineyard is at 12341 San Mateo Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
