Charming Half Moon Bay half an hour from San Francisco
If San Francisco evokes the image of a metropolis with crowded streets and dense population, you will be surprised know that just a few miles to the south and west is Half Moon Bay, a rural oasis of charm situated along a pristine stretch of the scenic coast of California.
It is in this small town find quaint shops and a little more relaxed pace of bay cities less than half an hour to the northeast. There are lighthouses and nearby farms, flower markets, spectacular tide pools, and a port with fresh crab, salmon and halibut, which find their way onto the tables of some excellent local restaurants.
Half Moon Bay is really special, and is likely to be all by name – how could a place called Half Moon Bay to be something else dream a little enclave with views almost fairy tale of the sea?
Our last visit to Half Moon Bay was enhanced by our accommodation – a place called the beach house that offers 54 colorful loft suites perched on a cliff with panoramic views of the coast. The suites are spacious and comfortable, designed as open studios to take advantage of ocean views. Each unit includes a private patio or balcony and separate bedroom areas. All the amenities are there: wood burning fireplace, wet bar, microwave, refrigerator, quilts – whatever.
The Beach House has a look of Cape Cod, which fits well with the beach and the marina. You can walk across the trails to the marina or the beach and have the feeling that you're really far from the big city.
Of course, spa services Hotel will remind you that you're not exactly in Kansas – there's a whole spa menu are available, including improvements to the signing Paris Lavender Wrap, Reiki massage and aromatherapy.
Only five minutes from the hotel is the central business district of Half Moon Bay, a place to wander and explore while looking for something special to bring friends and family. Numerous shops, restaurants and cafes are along historic Main Street, if not more bakeries per capita than any town we visited.
A restaurant called Cetrella was recommended to us and a restaurant is described as "casually elegant Mediterranean," with perhaps the tallest building new and more impressive in the central business district. The menu was amazing for its variety, however, still offers a simple selection from the seafood, meat Beef, pork, lamb and rabbit, even. Among our favorites were the mesquite grilled dry years Creekstone Farms Black Angus ribeye and seared salmon Cypress Island – both cooked to perfection. The vegetables served in a dizzying array of different dishes were the freshest we can remember – it should be a surprise taking into account the existence of estates, within walking distance of the restaurant. All and all, Cetrella was a hit with our family and apparently everyone else in the city, also – This high-capacity restaurant, was about even on a weekday night.
Another fun place to eat in Half Moon Bay is soup is Sam's House our hands for lunch the second day. This restaurant is fairly new hotel within walking distance and offers a fabulous view of the bay. Our favorite topic: the clam chowder.
Once you've bought and eaten at will, the next step is the exploration and that starts with the beaches of Half Moon Bay right. There are about 55 miles beaches along this part of the Coastside area – the area on the west side of the mountains of San Francisco Bay cities – and it seemed a good number of them were right Half Moon Bay. We took a path along the cliffs and then down another trail to the beach level, where on this windy day we had miles and miles of beaches ourselves. Certainly, less windy day there are more visitors to enjoy these wide beaches, seemingly endless.
numerous state parks and coastal paths of all varieties are found in almost all the communities along Highway 1. McNee Ranch State Park is a reserve of 700 acres near Montara Mountain that offers the sea of dreams overlooking the slopes. San Pedro Valley County Park is a park of 1,150 acres in Pacifica that offers several short routes, scenic.
Ecotourism is big in this area a few minutes from downtown San Francisco and among the activities that will put you in touch with your planet are visits to area wildlife preserves and farms. Pillage Point Harbor, near the beach house, is a fishing port where you can interact with the fishermen and women and learn how to make a living by the sea. In fact, you can go to catch yourself in one of the charter boats, or take a boat to see whales traveling the Pacific coast, from December to April.
And how is this for an interesting option: Spend part of your visit stay in a local family-owned farm where you will get an up close view of how farmers make their living land or livestock products. You can also visit a farm if you do not have time to stay. Phippen Ranch in Pescadero features over 100 varieties of plants organic plants and herbs, while Harley Goat dairy farms with an edible flower garden and visits to the cheese room.
Also beach activities such as beachcombing and tide pooling, there are a couple of bird sanctuaries in the area. The Pescadero Marsh is where about 200 species of birds to rest and feed each year and the path that leads along an old dike marsh offers a fantastic view. At Pillar Point, bird watchers have spotted a 20 percent of all species of North American birds such as herons, snowy egrets, loons and grebes.
Finally, be sure to visit the two historic lighthouses located on along this coast. Point Montara Lighthouse in Montara is located close to the Highway 1 – while maintaining a watchful eye or you will miss the detour. It was built to seafarers are on sometimes fog-shrouded San Francisco Costa and dates back to 1875. The current tower 30 feet and the goal have been in operation since 1928. The land is currently leased to American Youth Hostel, Inc. and are open from 7:30 to 9:30 am and 5 pm until 9:30
Pigeon Point Lighthouse State Historic Park is located south of Pescadero on the way to Santa Cruz. The lens of the lighthouse was lit for the first time in 1872 and this particular lighthouse is one of the highest of the two on the West Coast. The land is open daily from dawn to dusk with guided tours and teachers available 10 am-4 pm weekends. There is a shelter in the lighthouse as well.
AT A GLANCE
WHERE: Half Moon Bay is about 25 miles from San Francisco and accessible through the two-lane highway driving the Pacific Coast Highway or Interstate 280 south of San Francisco and then to motor west last few miles on Highway 92, a two-lane road. Half Moon Bay is feeling pretty rural probably because it has some coastal mountains separating it from San Francisco.
WHAT: Half Moon Bay is an ideal choice for a short break which offers a variety of accommodation, good local restaurants, quaint shops, beaches and plenty of activities such as shore tide, and sharing of sea kayaking.
WHEN: Any time of year. Packages for winter walks, and sometimes the summer months are quite cool on the beach.
WHY: Lots of natural beauty that can be combined with visits to the city.
HOW: For more information about the Beach House, phone 800-315-9366 or visit www.beach house.com. For more information on Half Moon Bay and eco tours of the area, www.visithalfmoonbay.org visit or call 866-558-6823.
About the Author
Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites focused on regional getaway travel. Among the sites currently offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com , covering California beach vacations and other Golden State destinations, and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com , covering Northwest travel .
