Area Information

Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce

Restaurants

Cafe Gibraltar - Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. 3 miles south of Goose & Turrets in El Granada with a nice view of the Pacific Ocean.
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company - Also 3 miles south in Pillar Point Harbor. Nice outdoor eating area and live music most nights.
Mezza Luna - Italian, in Pillar Point Harbor.
Crab Landing - New seafood place in the harbor with a must see aquarium. Also serves sushi.
Miramar Beach Restaurant - Steak and seafood on the ocean. Live jazz piano music Saturday/Sunday.
Pasta Moon - Classic Italian in Half Moon Bay.
Duarte's - The same family has concocted local specialities since 1894. In Pescadero, 15 miles south of Half Moon Bay. Worth the drive for the food as well as the spectaular views!

Things To Do, Places to Visit (from Montara south)

Montara State Beach - a wide sandy beach.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and Tidepools - try to visit during a "minus" tide to be able to walk out on the reefs for an experience you will never forget.
Mavericks - The world renowned "big wave" (sometimes 50 feet high) break, one of the most challenging in the world. An annual contest is held each year between December and March, depending on when the waves are high.
Bicyle Rentals
Fishing and Whale Watching - Some guests consider a trip with Captain Smitty (www.riptide.com) to see whales (possible all year) to be the high point of their visit. Even if you do not go out on a boat, go down to the harbor and walk out onto the pier and even buy some fresh fish/crab to take home. Great way to support the local fishermen.
Kayaking
Half Moon Bay Golf Links - or try the driving range nearby.
Harley Goat Farms - in Pescadero. If the name sounds familiar, their goat cheese is sold in many stores throughout the bay area.
Phipps Ranch - in Pescadero. A nice place to buy some of 40 varieties of dried beans and local produce. You can even pick your own berries!! Has a nice petting/viewing area of farm animals and old farm equipment.
Pescadero Marsh - just north of Pescadero.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse - just south of Pescadero -- you cannot miss it. Every year, they turn the clock back in time and light the old first order Fresnel lens which sends rays in every direction - a photographer's dream shot.
Año Nuevo - south of Pescadero. One of the few mainland rookeries for elephant seals. Some of the huge nosed animals are always there, but during the breeding season - December through February - viewing "sex and violence on the beach" makes an exciting excursion.
Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries
Coastways Ranch - pick your own, especially ollalieberries and kiwis. South of Pescadaro.
Filoli - historic estate with extensive gardens - east of Half Moon Bay along Route 280.