San Mateo County's coastline is comprised of more than 300 square miles of beautiful California landscapes, with easy access to sandy beaches, redwood forests, and open spaces. The coastline encompasses the cities of Half Moon Bay, Miramar, Montara, Moss Beach, El Granada, San Gregorio, La Honda and Pescadero. The Visit Half Moon Bay website is a joint effort of the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Office, the Half Moon Bay Hotel Business Improvement District, and the Half Moon Bay Downtown Association. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Nextdoor.
Old Town Main Street is the gateway to this magnetic coastal city. The historic highway crosses Highway 92 and offers a nostalgic tour of the oldest established region of Half Moon Bay. Wrapped in rolling countryside, the downtown's architecture, shopping establishments and unique cultural events show evidence of a solid past. Start at the Main Street Bridge (300) Main St.
In the 19th century, Mexican colonists and American pioneers crossed a simple wooden bridge that crossed the Pilarcito Creek. In 1900, Joseph Debenedetti, a county supervisor who worked on numerous downtown buildings, promoted the construction of the county's first steel-reinforced bridge, which still stands today, following the earthquakes of 1906 and 1989. Note that the steel used to reinforce the concrete bridge came from discarded cable car tracks in San Francisco. Enjoy a cold craft beer at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company or a delicious lobster roll at Sam's Chowder House. Home to many local farms, agriculture remains an important part of Half Moon Bay's economy to this day and the city is known as the pumpkin capital of the world.
Law enforcement in the city of Half Moon Bay is carried out through a contract with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. Search all accommodations 1855 Zaballa House Aristocrat Hotel Beach House Hotel Cypress Inn On Miramar Beach Half Moon Bay Inn Half Moon Bay Lodge Harbor View Inn at Mavericks Mill Rose Inn Nantucket Whale Inn Ocean View Inn Oceano Hotel & Spa Quality Inn Seal Cove Inn The Miramar Inn and Suites The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. If the historic main street in downtown Half Moon Bay could talk, it would share its long and enthralling history with all tourists and bystanders. If you're looking to treat yourself to luxury after a day of exploring the coast, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. In 2024, Half Moon Bay politicians were criticized by California Governor Gavin Newsom for repeatedly delaying approval of a 40-unit apartment building for high-ranking farm workers.
The racial makeup of Half Moon Bay was 8,580 (75.8%) white, 82 (0.7%) African American, 71 (0.6%) Native American, 490 (4.3%) Asian, 9 (0.1%) Pacific Islanders, 1710 (15.1%) from other races, and 382 (3.4%) from two or more races. Finally arriving at Half Moon Bay in 1908, it brought trains full of hikers and potential land buyers to the coast. The San Mateo Gazette visited Knapp's Half Moon Bay company in 1878 and noted that, along with the innovative plow, Knapp had invented a “machine with a droplet hammer” for cutting and grinding steel to accelerate manufacturing, as the demand for plows was significant. Half Moon Bay has one of the most charming downtown areas in the area, and if you come to the coast simply to visit the beach, you're in for a surprise. As you stroll around town, stop for wine and cheese tasting at Half Moon Bay, or visit Sacrilege Brewery + Kitchen for snacks and home-brewed beer.
The small-town hospitality of this Old Town district promises to offer everything a visitor could want in this special coastal city. from Half Moon Bay. On the northeast corner of Johnston and Miramontes Streets is one of Half Moon Bay's architectural gems, the 1872 United Methodist Community Church (777 Miramontes St.). According to eyewitness accounts, ships landed on the beaches of Half Moon Bay with illegal alcohol from Canada.
