A Taste of Half Moon Bay

Visit the oldest - most relaxing town in San Mateo County

By Camille Bounds

Travel Editor

 

An unforgettable, relaxing getaway to northern California can be found in an area that was settled by Italians and Portuguese at the turn of the century and was known as Spanish Town.  Their claim to fame was their artichokes, Brussels sprouts and farming. Dull and dreary during the early 1900s, prohibition brought excitement and color to this quiet, gentle area. Renamed Half Moon Bay by the Canadian rumrunners, the area became a safe harbor and a place to bring in the banned booze, romance and adventure.

This charming area has become known for its rustic Main Street with unique, small craft shops, art galleries and outdoor cafes some of which are housed in renovated 19th century buildings.  Fine restaurants, enchanting inns, are an added bonus with a claim to fame for flowers and pumpkins. With a population of about 9,000, Half Moon Bay makes the visitor welcome and at home.

Relax or participate in the many activities offered throughout the year. Kite flying, bicycling, golfing, hiking, seasonal whale watching, bird watching, and festivals throughout the year can keep the most active visitor busy and interested.

 

Don’t miss this one

 

A visit to the James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a rewarding one. Discover crabs, starfish and other shore-based sea life at a minus tide. This reserve is one of the best places in California to view tidepool life. Three miles of beach and tidal rock inhabited by over 200 species of marine; (at low tide) life is right there for you to inspect at your leisure. Remember the marine life is protected and may not be removed.  Tide charts are available at bait and fish shops in the nearby area.

A hike to the bluffs that overlook the reserve will be rewarded with a stunning view of the ocean, relentlessly rolling onto the beach hitting the rocky coves with a tempo and sound of a symphony orchestra.  The wind swept cypress trees form cathedrals with their different sizes and shapes that can offer an avid photographer an opportunity not to be missed. If in this area, don’t miss the James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.

For information call (650) 728-3584.

 

A grand place to stay

 

The Beach House Inn is absolutely one of the most pleasant, inviting inns anywhere. A three-story, Nantucket-type building with the flavor of Cape Cod, nestled into the seashore, offers beautifully appointed bright, meticulously clean, mini suite, loft-type rooms with grand panoramic views of sunsets, mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The comfort factor here is so high it becomes difficult to leave your room to explore the wonderful area of Half Moon Bay.

The Beach House Inn opened in the fall of 1996 with 54 unique “ocean lofts.” It overlooks the Pacific Ocean at Pillar Point Harbor just three miles from Half Moon Bay

Everything is here, two televisions, VCRs, high-quality stereos, wood burning fireplaces (logs supplied), deep tubs, terry robes, down pillows, (the wet bar/kitchenette with refrigerator and microwave are situated so they do not take away from the luxury and the lovely surroundings). There are large private patios and luxury king-sized beds with a queen-sized sleeper sofa in the living room areas.

A heated lap pool and fitness facility can be found on the first floor and an outdoor Jacuzzi overlooking the Pacific Ocean is hard to pass up after a day of exploring and horseback riding on the beach.

Service is fast and friendly. The desk folks are gracious and knowledgeable. They know the area well and can reliably recommend restaurants and attractions. 

A complimentary continental breakfast and an evening wine tasting are available.

Meeting and conference facilities are available with multiple dedicated phones and fax lines upon request.  Their private kitchen offers a wide range of gourmet coastal cuisine for meetings.

Call for reservations and information 1-800-315-9366.

 

Dining at its best

 

For ambiance, view, service and, most important, great food, the Moss Beach Distillery is a must. Make a reservation to coincide with the glorious pink, yellow and orange pastel sunset, sit back and relax with your favorite pre-dinner drink and enjoy. As they say, “It doesn't get much better than that." The menu is varied and a fresh local fish and vegetables are included in their offerings. The salmon or the crab cakes can be highly recommended, and the coffee is special. A Jazz combo is offered on Sunday afternoons with brunch, and if you look and listen when there is a quiet moment, you might see and hear the beautiful resident ghost running on the beach. That’s a whole other story. If you visit The Moss Beach Distillery, they will give you the details.

Call 650/ 728-5595 for reservations - it’s well worth the trip.

 

Ride a happy horse

 

Visit Sea Horse Ranch & Friendly Acres for a delightful horseback ride on the beach. Al Shipley is the colorful president of this company made up of around 200 very well cared for horses. Organized riding opportunities can be arranged. The rates are fair and the trails are good. Riding on the beach is beautiful with young polite wranglers there to help the tenderfoot. Just beware of one thing, do no even think of mistreating any of Mr. Shipley’s horses, you will suffer the wrath of God or Shipley- I don’t know what would be worse.  We had an example of someone prodding one of the horses with a stick on one of the trails. This was reported by one of the wranglers by a walkie-talkie communication system throughout the trails.  They were ordered to bring him in at once, and he was told in so many words to, “never darken Sea Horse Ranch again.”

Call (650) 726-2362 for reservations and information.

 

GETTING THERE:

 

Half Moon Bay is just 30 minutes from San Francisco International Airport and also 30 minutes south of San Francisco.  A weekend at Half Moon Bay will send you home relaxed and with a smile, guaranteed!

 

Call the Half Moon Bay Coast Side Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau for more information and brochures about the area at 650/726-8380

 

Camille Bounds is the travel editor for Sunrise Publications and the Inland Empire Business Journal.