California Half Moon Bay Getaway
Guest posting by Catherine Sweeney
Mavericks Beach Photo By Catherine Sweeney
Half Moon Bay, on the San Mateo County coast of California, is about 20 miles south of San Francisco on Highway 1, the Pacific Coast Highway. It is notorious for its exciting, but very cold, surfing venues such as Mavericks Beach where big waves challenge surfers from around the world.
But there are many reasons that the area is a tourist destination and popular weekend getaway or day trip for San Francisco Bay Area residents.
Venice Beach Photo by Catherine Sweeney
It’s a great place to breathe in the fresh air and take in panoramic ocean views as you hike or bike ride along the coastal trail that runs about three miles above four beaches. A horse trail also runs parallel to the beach.
Horse Trail with riders Photo by Catherine Sweeney
The area’s climate and rich soil also make it ideal for agriculture. Christmas tree farms, nurseries and fields line Highway 92 from the east into the town of Half Moon Bay as well as along the coastal highway. The Tour des Fleurs is a wonderful annual event held in July where you can tour several nurseries and farms, getting a behind the scenes look at their facilities, flower fields and greenhouses. In the fall, Half Moon Bay’s Art and Pumpkin Festival is a major event that includes the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off contest among other festivities.
Pastorino Farms Photo by Catherine Sweeney
Tree Farm Photo by Catherine Sweeney
Nursery Photo by Catherine Sweeney
Farm Stand Photo by Catherine Sweeney
The community is also home to many artists whose works are found in galleries downtown and at arts and crafts faires. When you drive into town on Hwy 92 you can’t help but notice the unusual, large metal sculptures on the left at Spanish Town shops.
Art Gallery Photo by Catherine Sweeney
Spanish Town Sculptures Photo by Catherine Sweeney
San Benito House is a historic hotel established in 1905. Lunch and dinner served in the bar, where there is live music Wednesday through Friday nights. On a recent visit, I stopped there for a delicious cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and appreciated the friendly service.
San Benito House Photo by Catherine Sweeney
Burger and Fries at San Benito Photo by Catherine Sweeney
Daniel at San Benito Photo by Catherine Sweeney
If you enjoy wine, on Hwy 92 just east of town is La Nebbia , a small, rustic winery with lovely gardens and picnic tables in the back. Bands play throughout the summer and local artists present their works in art faires the 2nd and 4th Sundays from May to September. La Nebbia also hosts Bottle & Cork Days when you can bring your own empty 750ml wine bottles and have them filled for $4.95 each. On June 11, 2011 the selected wine is a 2010 Sangiovese from Paso Robles vineyards.
La Nebbia outside Photo by Catherine Sweeney
La Nebbia Photo by Catherine Sweeney
La Nebbia Picnic Area Photo by Catherine Sweeney
In town, the Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese Shop has knowledgeable staff and a wide variety of fine wines, local and imported cheese and gifts. I enjoyed the En Route Pinot Noir at the tasting bar.
Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese Shop Photo by Catherine Sweeney
Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese Tasting Photo by Catherine Sweeney
Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese Tasting Bar Photo by Catherine Sweeney
A nice way to end the day is at Moss Beach Distillery, a restaurant and bar just a few miles north of Half Moon Bay. It’s a great spot for wrapping up in a blanket on the heated patio to watch the sunset. The patio is also dog-friendly with a special menu for the pups. Famously, the restaurant also has its resident ghost, the Blue Lady. Legend has it that she was killed while walking on the beach below the restaurant and that she is searching for her lover who was a piano player at the bar.
Sunset from Moss Beach Distillery Photo by Catherine Sweeney
In Half Moon Bay, there are many options for recreational activities, events and sightseeing. Or, you can just kick back and unwind. Take a walk along the beach, sip a glass of wine, and stop to smell the roses.
Roses Photo by Catherine Sweeney
If you go:
During the summer, on weekends and during special events, traffic might heavy getting into and out-of-town, therefore be patient!
For accommodations, there are many budget to luxury hotels, B&Bs and inns along the coast and in town.
The Mill Rose Photo by Catherine Sweeney
For more information:
Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau
Resources
- Tour des Fleurs
- Art and Pumpkin Festival
- La Nebbia
- Wine and Cheese Shop
- Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau
- San Benito House
- Visit Half Moon Bay
- 1st Wikipedia entry
- 2nd Wikipedia Entry
- California State Park Half Moon Bay
- Tripadvisor Review places to stay and things to do
- Eyeing pounding surf Half Moon Bay
- Mavericks Surf
Catherine Sweeney, travel writer of Traveling with Sweeney, hails from California. Travel is part of her foundation starting at a very young age with maps, brochures, and destinations. Travel and writing give Catherine an opportunity to share her perspective.
All Photos taken by Catherine Sweeney are all copyrighted
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Eileen Ludwig, travel writer of Freelance Tourist brings to the world insights about places to travel, discounts, Staycations, Restaurant Reviews, movie reviews, and fascinating tibits. She is owner of three other sites: Photography, Web Design School, and Social Media School Each are in different stages of development and evolution.
Twitter: lilygogo
Ocean, honey and roses, I don’t need much more to be happy.
inka recently posted..Mount Nebo – Moses saw and then he died
Twitter: eileenludwig
Inka, That is so true! Lots to be happy with the Pacific Coast
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Great photos. I especially like the Spanish Town Sculpture ones. The water does look like fun for surfing, but cold.
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Twitter: eileenludwig
Laurel, When I gone and touch the Pacific ocean, I was shocked how cold it is. BUT then someone explained how the east coast is warmed by the Gulfstream Eileen
The sculptures were pretty cool.
Twitter: eileenludwig
Ben, I love sculptures. These definitely look unique. Eileen
I love this area of the coast. I’ve always wanted to watch surfers battle the huge waves at Mavericks, but somehow I never went in the three years I lived in Santa Cruz. Great photos, Cathy!
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Twitter: eileenludwig
Christy, it is amazing how we can live in an area and think, I will do that tomorrow. This is the reason I like to encourage others to be a tourist in everything they do in their area. Make the time.
Eileen
Twitter: budgettravelsac
This is a very beautiful area of California. It’s probably not the beach town most people think of when they think of beaches but it’s definitely worth exploring!
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Twitter: eileenludwig
Jeremy much of the California coast is surprising after the Beach Boy songs but the waves can be so big almost like Hawaii which is also very rocky too.
Eileen
@Inka — that is a pretty nice combination, isn’t it? There’s plenty of each in HMB.
@Laurel and Ben – those sculptures have always intrigued me. I really wonder how many they’ve sold and who buys them! Not quite my style.
@Christy — Being a surfer, have you ever thought about surfing Mavericks yourself? Pretty scary when the big waves come in, I’d think.
@Jeremy – you’re so right, it isn’t the kind of California beach town many people expect. But it’s got its own very cool vibe that a lot of visitors like.
Thanks for the comments!
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Half Moon Bay Getaway
Gosh, love the picnic area. And the beach is very clean too.
@Glennda – I’m hoping to have a picnic lunch with a nice bottle of wine there this summer. And yes, the beaches along the Half Moon Bay coast are very clean — wonderful places to kick back!
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..BART Art
Half Moon Bay Getaway! guest post on @eileenludwig Freelance Tourist site http://ow.ly/54W7A #California #travel
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What a beautiful place. It feels like its a very quiet town, a perfect place for retirement.
I love this place, I’ve always wanted to watch surfers battle the huge waves at Mavericks, but somehow I never went in the 1 year I lived in Santa Village.
You have a very amazing shots! Thanks for sharing us the glimpse of California.. It is such a beautiful place..
Thanks for sharing your blog..That was great! Keep it up. |
Cool, love to spend my time on the garden with my friends
…I LOVE CALIFORNIA.. 
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Fantastic photos, more especially with the country side views… Thank you for sharing…
This is the reason I like to encourage others to be a tourist in everything they do in their area. Make the time.
Wow Bed of Roses, I love all your picture post, every picture just let me sigh. San Francisco has lots of sights in store for visitors.
I especially love the roses
Thanks for sharing..
You have a very amazing shots! Thanks for sharing us the glimpse of California.. It is such a beautiful place..
admiring the nature is a good habit. thanks for sharing this photo’s.
I went to Mavericks one time to watch the surfing, the same spot where it looks like you were. Unfortunately the area they actually surf is around the cliff, but those guys are insane!
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