Half Moon Bay Coast
Half Moon Bay
A seaside town about 45 km south of San Francisco, with cliff trails, beaches, a fishing harbor and pumpkin fields. It is a classic day trip along Highway 1.
Half Moon Bay lies about 45 km south of San Francisco along Highway 1. The town center, Main Street, keeps its old wooden buildings and cafés. Along the coast you can walk the Coastal Trail and visit Half Moon Bay State Beach, and you can see fishing boats and fresh seafood at Pillar Point Harbor to the north. The famous winter surf break Mavericks lies just off the harbor. Nearby, the cliff lawn of the Ritz-Carlton hotel is a popular sunset spot.
Every October the town hosts a pumpkin festival, and nearby farms let visitors pick their own pumpkins. The drive down Highway 1 takes about an hour, and you can combine it with Pigeon Point Lighthouse to the south for a day trip. Beaches are free, but parking at the state beach costs money, and the sea breeze is strong, so bring a jacket.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Stanford University
- San Francisco Zoo
- Twin Peaks
- Mission District & Mission Dolores
- Haight-Ashbury
- California Academy of Sciences
- Golden Gate Park
- de Young Museum