Contents
Half Moon Bay | Introduction
Located just about a 40-minute drive from San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is a charming coastal town with scenic shorelines and a small-town atmosphere. Often seen as the backyard getaway for Bay Area residents, this crescent-shaped bay features expansive beaches, picturesque harbors, and fresh seafood, making it a popular weekend escape for Californians. The beauty of dawn and dusk here is especially captivating. Even for out-of-town visitors, Half Moon Bay offers a quintessential “California-style” weekend retreat, making it a must-visit destination. For Bay Area locals, it’s an ideal spot for a day trip or a short weekend getaway.
Half Moon Bay is enjoyable year-round, but it’s particularly appealing in spring and fall. In the spring, wildflowers bloom across the coastline, adding a touch of fresh vitality. In the fall, the town hosts its famous Pumpkin Festival, featuring various activities like straw mazes and pumpkin farms, turning Half Moon Bay into a festive celebration of the harvest season.
Half Moon Bay | Accommodations
Despite its small size, Half Moon Bay offers a variety of seaside accommodations, and visitors can also enjoy camping experiences.
Recommended Accommodation | The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
For those seeking a luxurious experience, the Ritz-Carlton, perched on a cliffside, is an excellent choice. This upscale resort offers stunning ocean views, world-class golf courses, and fine dining. While the prices are high, many visitors find the quality and scenery worth the cost, especially for celebrating special occasions or indulging in high-end services.
🏨 Recommended Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay Comparison?
Camping Review | Francis Beach Campground
- Camp Comfort: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Camp Space: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Cleanliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Location: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nature lovers may consider camping at Francis Beach Campground at Half Moon Bay State Beach. This campground has 52 sites, with three tent-only spots right by the ocean, just steps away from the beach. It’s one of the best camping spots in California state parks. The walk-in sites are compact, ideal for small families or groups of up to four, and are the closest to the beach. The shared facilities with the Day Use area are well-maintained, making it perfect for a relaxing beachside camping experience or an afternoon of doing nothing. It’s also conveniently close to CA-1 and nearby shops for easy access to dining and shopping.
Note: Since the campsites are near the ocean, expect strong sea breezes, so bring extra layers.
Half Moon Bay | Must-see Attractions
Pillar Point Harbor
Pillar Point Harbor is the main fishing port in the Half Moon Bay area. Each morning, local fishermen bring in fresh fish, crabs, and shellfish from the Pacific to sell onshore. Walking along the pier, you can spot live Dungeness crabs, fresh salmon, and plump oysters. If you visit during the Dungeness crab season in fall and winter, you can pick your own crabs for a fresh, affordable treat and have them cooked at nearby dockside restaurants—a unique California culinary experience.
Next to the harbor, there’s a tide pool area where, during low tide, you can observe vibrant marine life like colorful sea stars, anemones, and small crabs, making it a popular spot for families. During the winter migration season, it’s also an ideal location for whale watching. The north side of the harbor has a small fishing pier for visitors who enjoy angling.
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Half Moon Bay State Beach stretches four miles along the coast and is a protected state reserve. It has three beach access areas: Francis Beach, Venice Beach, and Dunes Beach, making it a must-visit for beach and water activity enthusiasts. Francis Beach has a small visitor center offering information and amenities.
The beach trails are perfect for walking, biking, or picnicking, with stunning views of the Pacific along the way. If you visit around sunset, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking display. The state beach is very popular, and parking can be limited, so arriving early is recommended.
Recommended Trails | Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail
The Coastal Trail runs for about three miles along the cliffside, offering sweeping coastal views and is an excellent route for jogging, hiking, or even horseback riding. This trail allows close-up views of the rocky shorelines, and from April through May, it’s a great spot for whale watching. Spring is also an ideal time to see wildflowers blooming along the trail, and during these months, you might catch a glimpse of migrating whales from elevated viewpoints.
The south end of the trail is close to the well-known Sam’s Chowder House, where you can enjoy a hearty lunch before a leisurely stroll, making for a perfect end to a Half Moon Bay visit.
Half Moon Bay | Dining
Half Moon Bay, with its abundant seafood resources, naturally has some top-quality dining options. Here’s a roundup of my top three must-try restaurants in Half Moon Bay, along with a brewery worth a visit.
Sam's Chowder House
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: American Seafood
- Location: Half moon bay
- URL: https://www.samschowderhouse.com
Sam’s Chowder House is a popular spot with a loyal following. If you’re lucky, you can snag an outdoor seat with an ocean view, adding to the enjoyment of fresh seafood. Despite the busy environment and long lines, the service remains commendable. The restaurant offers a classic California coastal seafood experience at reasonable prices. The food has a light, fresh flavor profile, which I particularly enjoy.
Their chowder is a standout, being lighter and less creamy than typical versions but still delicious. Other dishes like ceviche, the fried seafood combo, seafood linguine, and even the Bloody Mary are consistently good. The ceviche is fresh, and the fried seafood combo includes shrimp, fish, a crab cake, and plenty of calamari, served with fries and coleslaw—generous and filling. Their crab cake is one of the best I’ve had on the West Coast, full of chunky crab meat. The seafood linguine is another highlight. On one visit, I tried the special Crab and Shrimp Louie salad, which was one of the best I’ve had in years, with fresh baby romaine, plenty of blue crab, bay shrimp, and green apple—refreshing and appetizing. The Bloody Mary is well-balanced and easy to drink, making it a great complement to the meal.
Pasta Moon
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$$$
- Cuisine: Italian
- Location: Half moon bay
- URL: https://www.pastamoon.com
Pasta Moon is one of the top three restaurants in Half Moon Bay, known for its popularity. We reserved an outdoor table in advance, and the ambiance was very pleasant with attentive service. The Italian cuisine is consistently good. We ordered the Calamari Fritto Misto, Peach Salad, House-Made Sausage Pizza, and Pappardelle Pancetta.
The calamari was crispy and light, though the portion was a bit smaller than expected. The sausage pizza was generously portioned and easily shared between two, leaving us very full. Overall, Pasta Moon is a lovely spot for relaxed Italian dining, perfect for those who enjoy a refined atmosphere.
La Costanera
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$$$
- Cuisine: Peruvian
- Location: Half moon bay
- URL: https://lacostanerarestaurant.com
La Costanera is a Peruvian restaurant located near Pillar Point Harbor with excellent views of the harbor. Though it’s on the pricey side, the food is exceptional and worth the splurge. We started with Calamari and a Ceviche Tasting, which included three types of ceviche. The standout was the Ceviche Pescado, with fresh, flavorful fish.
For the main course, we chose the Seafood Paella with Yuca Chips, which was rich and delicious. Paired with a Pisco Sour and Sangria, it was a delightful meal. For dessert, we tried the famous churros and a lava cake. The churros were exceptional, and even though I’m not usually a churro fan, these won me over. The lava cake was rich but not overly sweet, finishing the meal on a high note. The entire experience was a wonderful culinary adventure.
Hop Dogma
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: Beer
- Location: Half moon bay
- URL: http://hopdogma.com
Hop Dogma, located next to La Costanera, is a California-based craft brewery. We hadn’t tried their beer before, so we decided to stop in. The outdoor seating looked inviting, though limited, and we ended up with a window seat near the mall entrance, which was peaceful as the surrounding shops were closed.
The selection of beers here is extensive, and if you want to sample a few, I recommend ordering a flight at the bar, which lets you try four different beers at once. This time, we tried *Cinder & Smoke*, *Black Lager*, *Venti is Large*, and *Rocket Surgery*. *Cinder & Smoke* was the most unique, with a surprising smoky, bacon-like flavor—very interesting! *Venti is Large* had a coffee flavor, which was also delightful and unexpected. *Black Lager* was more bitter, perfect for fans of bold flavors, while *Rocket Surgery* was milder and easier to drink.
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