Half Moon Bay’s Top Attractions, Activities & Drives!
Half Moon Bay, a delightful town within the Bay Area, offers a variety of attractions, activities, and scenic drives. Whether you're planning a day trip or a weekend getaway, Half Moon Bay has something for everyone. Here's a guide to help you make the most of your visit:
🌟 Why Visit Half Moon Bay?
- A charming coastal town with a historic downtown
- Known for its agricultural heritage, including Christmas trees, pumpkins, and artichokes
- Offers abundant coastal wonders, such as hiking, beachcombing, and the chance to spot migratory marine mammals
💫 How to Beat the Traffic into Half Moon Bay:
- Go early to avoid weekend rush hour traffic and secure a good spot on the beach
- Stay late to enjoy dinner and the sunset, bypassing the heaviest traffic
- Take the scenic routes of Skyline Boulevard, Tunitas Creek, or La Honda Road to experience breathtaking views and avoid congestion
☁️ Weather in Half Moon Bay:
- The cool coastal climate results in an average high temperature of around 64°F throughout the year
- Be prepared with a sweater and jacket, as fog can roll in at any time of year
- Although there can be colder days in winter, mild weather is typical
🌊 Can You Swim in Half Moon Bay?
- While surfers brave the cold water wearing wetsuits, swimming is not recommended for non-surfer visitors
- The water temperature ranges from 50-60°F, and some beaches have riptides
- It's safer to enjoy the water's edge on calm days, but exercise caution and keep an eye on the surf
🍂 Half Moon Bay's Top Attractions, Activities & Drives:
1. Pidgeon Point Lighthouse
Pidgeon Point juts out into the pacific on a lovely thumb of land south of Pescadero. The lighthouse has been guiding mariners since 1872 (and some of those prohibition era bootleggers since the 1920’s). The lighthouse is indeed still in use today, although they’ve transitioned from a traditional glass lens to LED lighting.
This area is worth visiting not only for the lighthouse, but also for the migratory marine mammals. Seals, sea lions and whales can often be seen passing by. When you visit, bring binoculars and keep your eyes open.
2. Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Patches
Starting in September, the whole Coastside turns in to one big fall festival. The attractions include pony rides, corn mazes and lots of pumpkin picking. I’m partial to Andreotti Farms because they carry unusual (and very pretty) pumpkin breeds, but check out our guide to all of the Half Moon Bay pumpkin patches to get the full scoop.
3. Harley Farms Goat Dairy
Two words: baby goats.
It’s tough trying to decide which is cuter; golden retriever puppies or little baby goats. But when you visit Harley Farms, the voting will definitely tilt toward their adorbs baby goats. Those wobbly legged darlings are just beyond.
And so is the Harley Farms cheese. You see, Harley Farms is not a petting zoo, but rather an actual working dairy and they make very tasty goat’s milk cheeses. If you are interested in learning more about their dairy operation, you can schedule a tour. Otherwise, visit any given day between 11am-4pm to ogle the goats and get some cheese.
4. HMB Kayak Rentals & Tours
If you are keen to get out onto the water, you can rent kayaks and SUPs from HMB Kayak Company in Princeton Harbor. They rent boats, boards and bikes by the hour and also offer guided kayak tours of the harbor and Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.
5. Stage Road Scenic Drive
Stage Road is a winding, seven mile rural drive that meanders between Pescadero and San Gregorio. It’s not the fastest route, but it surely is lovely. You slide past the Mt Hope Cemetery, small farms and eucalyptus groves with soothing pastoral scenery.
6. Tunitas Creek-Purissima Creek Scenic Drive
For a slightly longer scenic drive, take the even more meandering route along Tunitas Creek and Purissima Creek roads. It’s a 17 mile jaunt through pastureland and redwood forest.
Start at Highway 1 and go northeast on Tunitas Creek Road. at 2.7 miles, turn left onto Lobitos Creek Road. Circle back towards Highway 1 but before reaching it, turn right onto Verde Road. After 3 miles, turn right onto Purissima Creek Road and follow the curve into the hills and then back out again, reaching Half Moon Bay after 7 scenic miles.
Bookmark this page for your next visit to Half Moon Bay and explore the mix of nature, agriculture, and history that makes this coastal town so special. ✨
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