Half Moon Bay Guidebook
Sightseeing
Poplar Beach
Poplar StreetWalk to this beautiful, expansive beach.
Tide pools and beach to explore at low tide. Walking path through Cypress trees over looking the Pacific Ocean.
76 locals recommend
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
200 Nevada AveTide pools and beach to explore at low tide. Walking path through Cypress trees over looking the Pacific Ocean.
15 min drive to explore the redwoods! Peaceful trails through the towering redwood trees. Spot banana slugs, explore the creek and take in the majesty of the forest.
37 locals recommend
Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve
15 min drive to explore the redwoods! Peaceful trails through the towering redwood trees. Spot banana slugs, explore the creek and take in the majesty of the forest.
See the giant elephant seals just a 35 minute drive south on the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway. Tours can be reserved during high season December through March. A permit is required during off season April through November.
88 locals recommend
Ano Nuevo State Park
See the giant elephant seals just a 35 minute drive south on the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway. Tours can be reserved during high season December through March. A permit is required during off season April through November.
Food and Drink
One of our favorites in Half Moon Bay. Italian food at it's best! Housemade pasta dishes and more. You can't go wrong with a meal here. Reservation only.
49 locals recommend
Pasta Moon
845 Main StOne of our favorites in Half Moon Bay. Italian food at it's best! Housemade pasta dishes and more. You can't go wrong with a meal here. Reservation only.
Beautiful views overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the outdoor patio. Nice brunch spot and good cocktails. Reservations recommended.
83 locals recommend
Moss Beach Distillery
140 Beach WayBeautiful views overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the outdoor patio. Nice brunch spot and good cocktails. Reservations recommended.
Peruvian restaurant known for it's ceviche and pisco sours. Beautiful views upstairs either at the bar or dining room. Reservations recommended.
70 locals recommend
La Costanera
260 Capistrano RdPeruvian restaurant known for it's ceviche and pisco sours. Beautiful views upstairs either at the bar or dining room. Reservations recommended.
This is our favorite place to go with the kids. The Garden Deli is our go to lunch spot for delicious sandwiches on housemade bread. They also sell loaves of bread to take home and soups. The Cantina is a lively spot for locals and tourists. Serving Mexican fare, delicious margaritas and more. Expansive outdoor seating with lawn space, fire pits and frequent live music. Kid friendly.
30 locals recommend
San Benito Ale House
356 Main StThis is our favorite place to go with the kids. The Garden Deli is our go to lunch spot for delicious sandwiches on housemade bread. They also sell loaves of bread to take home and soups. The Cantina is a lively spot for locals and tourists. Serving Mexican fare, delicious margaritas and more. Expansive outdoor seating with lawn space, fire pits and frequent live music. Kid friendly.
Beautiful spot for drinks by the firepit overlooking the golf course on the Pacific Ocean. There is also dining and spa. Quick 7 minute drive south on Highway 1 or long walk on the HMB Coastal Trail.
45 locals recommend
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Half Moon Bay
1 Miramontes Point RdBeautiful spot for drinks by the firepit overlooking the golf course on the Pacific Ocean. There is also dining and spa. Quick 7 minute drive south on Highway 1 or long walk on the HMB Coastal Trail.
Views of the ocean, firepits, bar, pub food, and occassional live music. Very popular spot especially on the weekends.
70 locals recommend
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
390 Capistrano RdViews of the ocean, firepits, bar, pub food, and occassional live music. Very popular spot especially on the weekends.
Outdoor casual dining, beer/wine, burgers, sandwiches, salads, milkshakes, coffee, pie and more. Very popular and kid friendly.
24 locals recommend
The Barn
3068 CA-1Outdoor casual dining, beer/wine, burgers, sandwiches, salads, milkshakes, coffee, pie and more. Very popular and kid friendly.
Verrazzano Pizza
20 Stone Pine RdOur favorite pizza spot and they even deliver. Recommend the Queen Bee!
Small restaurant best for take out fried seafood specifically the fish and chips. Overlooks the ocean with picnic tables and small beach below. Very popular especially on the weekends.
36 locals recommend
Barbara's Fishtrap
281 Capistrano RdSmall restaurant best for take out fried seafood specifically the fish and chips. Overlooks the ocean with picnic tables and small beach below. Very popular especially on the weekends.
Great spot to grab sandwiches on your way north on Highway 1.
20 locals recommend
Gherkin's Sandwich Shop
171 7th StGreat spot to grab sandwiches on your way north on Highway 1.
Local coffee shop also serving smoothies, waffles, egg sandwiches and more.
10 locals recommend
Granola's Coffee House
116 CA-1Local coffee shop also serving smoothies, waffles, egg sandwiches and more.
Casual spot for delicious drinks and food. Nice outdoor dining area with food truck and fire pits.
11 locals recommend
Jettywave Distillery
155 BroadwayCasual spot for delicious drinks and food. Nice outdoor dining area with food truck and fire pits.
The Press
107 Sevilla AveEspecially good breakfast spot. Small patio for outdoor seating.
Great coffee and small bites like bagels, avocado toast and pastries. Limited hours.
Dawn Patrol Coffee
155 BroadwayGreat coffee and small bites like bagels, avocado toast and pastries. Limited hours.
Great coffee and food spot within walking distance to the beach in Pacifica. Recommend the quiche and Cubano coffee.
25 locals recommend
Soul Grind Coffee Roasters
5400 CA-1Great coffee and food spot within walking distance to the beach in Pacifica. Recommend the quiche and Cubano coffee.
Delicious cocktails and food. Cozy and intimate with outdoor back patio seating. Recommend the rib eye, burger and flatbreads.
36 locals recommend
It's Italia
401 Main StDelicious cocktails and food. Cozy and intimate with outdoor back patio seating. Recommend the rib eye, burger and flatbreads.
Hangetsu Sushi
Great sushi spot.
Local Events
Seasonal outdoor market selling local produce, baked goods and bread, honey, tamales and more. Satudays from 9am-1pm. Get there the earlier the better since things tend to sell out.
12 locals recommend
Farmers Market
225 CA-1Seasonal outdoor market selling local produce, baked goods and bread, honey, tamales and more. Satudays from 9am-1pm. Get there the earlier the better since things tend to sell out.
Half Moon Bay
Annual weeked festival in mid October.
The Harvard Community Market takes place on the second Saturday of each month along the 100 block of Harvard Avenue, near Pillar Point Harbor. This outdoor market features an evolving collection of beloved local vendors and artisans. Check out #harvardneighborhoodmarket on Instagram for upcoming vendors.
Harvard Avenue
Harvard AvenueThe Harvard Community Market takes place on the second Saturday of each month along the 100 block of Harvard Avenue, near Pillar Point Harbor. This outdoor market features an evolving collection of beloved local vendors and artisans. Check out #harvardneighborhoodmarket on Instagram for upcoming vendors.
Family Fun
Petting zoo, pony rides, hay rides, etc. Great place for young kids. The goat yoga is fun for everyone! Buy tickets online.
9 locals recommend
Lemos Farm
12320 San Mateo RdPetting zoo, pony rides, hay rides, etc. Great place for young kids. The goat yoga is fun for everyone! Buy tickets online.
Get up close and personal with goats! Goat cheese, body care products and more for purchase. Picnic tables around the pond.
46 locals recommend
Harley Farms Goat Dairy
205 North StGet up close and personal with goats! Goat cheese, body care products and more for purchase. Picnic tables around the pond.
Playground for big and little kids. 13 minute walk north on First Ave. We take our kids here multiple times a week.
Ocean View Park
627 Alsace Lorraine AvePlayground for big and little kids. 13 minute walk north on First Ave. We take our kids here multiple times a week.
Vista trail through the eucalyptus trees, play area for kids, picnic tables, community garden, etc.
13 locals recommend
Quarry Park
Vista trail through the eucalyptus trees, play area for kids, picnic tables, community garden, etc.
Seasonal pumpkin patch with lots great photo opportunities, animals and of course pumpkins of every shape and size.
Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm
850 Cabrillo Hwy NSeasonal pumpkin patch with lots great photo opportunities, animals and of course pumpkins of every shape and size.
Things to do
Sea Horse Ranch
1828 Cabrillo Hwy NGuided horseback riding on the beach.
HMB Board Shop
3032 N Cabrillo HwySurfboard, boogie board, wetsuit and bike rentals
Half Moon Bay Kayak Company
2 Johnson PierRent kayaks and paddleboards to explore the harbor.
Watch the surfers or experience the waves yourself! Tommy Tsunami Surf School is the best-rated surf school in the bay area. They accept students of all ages and skill levels and guarantee a quality, safe, and fun learning experience. Use code AIRBNB for 10% discount. tommytsunamisurfschool .com
15 locals recommend
Surfers Beach
4000 Cabrillo Hwy NWatch the surfers or experience the waves yourself! Tommy Tsunami Surf School is the best-rated surf school in the bay area. They accept students of all ages and skill levels and guarantee a quality, safe, and fun learning experience. Use code AIRBNB for 10% discount. tommytsunamisurfschool .com
Neighborhoods
Explore the local shops and restaurants. Quaint downtowm Half Moon Bay is a short walk across Highway 1. Some of our favorite spots include HMB Bakery, Cafe Society for coffee, The Olive Crush, HMB Feed and Fuel and Gulino Gelato.
Main Street
Main StreetExplore the local shops and restaurants. Quaint downtowm Half Moon Bay is a short walk across Highway 1. Some of our favorite spots include HMB Bakery, Cafe Society for coffee, The Olive Crush, HMB Feed and Fuel and Gulino Gelato.
Walk along the harbor, buy fish from local fisherman, admire the boats and spot sea lions. Restaurants and ice cream within walking distance.
Pillar Point Harbor Boulevard
Pillar Point Harbor BoulevardWalk along the harbor, buy fish from local fisherman, admire the boats and spot sea lions. Restaurants and ice cream within walking distance.
Shopping
Cunha's Country Store
448 Main StLocal general store for groceries, deli, souvenirs and more.
Grocery store great for local organic produce, wellness products, full service coffee, juice and smoothie bar.
56 locals recommend
New Leaf Community Markets
150 San Mateo RdGrocery store great for local organic produce, wellness products, full service coffee, juice and smoothie bar.
Surf Factory
521 Main StMostly clothing, shoes and hats. Brands like Roxy and Billabong and HMB clothing.
P Cottontail & Co
330 Main StExpansive baby and toddler store. Great sale section upstairs.
Local farm selling produce on Kelly St. They also offer paid parking for the beach. Open Friday through Sunday.
Andreotti Family Farm
329 Kelly AveLocal farm selling produce on Kelly St. They also offer paid parking for the beach. Open Friday through Sunday.