Tucked along the California coast, Half Moon Bay welcomes visitors from all over the state and the world. With abundant open spaces, lush, rolling hills, farmland and state parks, the coastline of Half Moon Bay is one of the most beautiful and tranquil places in the world. I've been preparing a short list of things I'd like to see in both Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz, but I haven't been able to find the perfect blog that would bring these two places together for a day trip. From Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz is about an hour's drive south (without traffic), but there are many stops along the way that interrupt the trip.
The few times Zach and I have driven to Half Moon Bay or Santa Cruz have always been on the weekend, but we've been lucky and only run into heavy traffic once. When you approach Half Moon Bay, you'll notice that there aren't many entrances, so those small alleyways can get very congested. You can start your day in Half Moon Bay and drive along the coast to watch the sunset in Santa Cruz, or you can start in Santa Cruz and finish in Half Moon Bay. There's no right option, it really just depends on your preferences and the places you prioritize. For example, the first time I visited her, I knew I wanted to see the sunset at Shark Fin Cove (near Santa Cruz), so I started the day at Half Moon Bay.
If you want to visit the Santa Cruz and Capitola Boardwalk, I would start in Santa Cruz and drive to the coast and end up in Half Moon Bay. If you want to start the day with a pleasant walk along the coast and lobster rolls, finish with a sunset at Shark Fin Cove, start at Half Moon Bay and drive along the coast. If you want to make the most of the views you see and your driving time, you may have to choose to start in Santa Cruz and end with an incredible sunset in Half Moon Bay. Have lunch at Sam's Chowder House or the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay After exploring Half Moon Bay and making whatever stops you want, drive along the coast (or up, depending on the route) and stop at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse.
Since we stayed at Shark Fin Cove for a while, we didn't have time to stop at my last 3 places, another reason why it would be better to start with Santa Cruz instead of Half Moon Bay. The California paved coastal path (and the adjacent dirt path for horses) passes behind the Dunes Beach parking lot and crosses Young Avenue next to the parking lot entrance. Be careful when driving, as the trail can be quite busy on weekends with cyclists, riders, and walkers (often with their dogs). At the southern end of the park is Francis Beach, also sometimes called Kelly Beach because of its location at the western end of Kelly Street in Half Moon Bay.
Once the form is completed, print it out and submit it via USPS to 507-B Purissima Street, Half Moon Bay CA 94019. The Visit Half Moon Bay website is a cooperative 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. Mirada Surf West is located in El Granada, just south of Pillar Point Harbor (just north of Half Moon Bay). After exploring Half Moon Bay and making whatever stops you want, drive along the coast (or go up, depending on the route) and stop at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse. 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.
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival, Pacific Coast Dream Machine, 4th of July fashion show in Sol fashion, Make it Main Street, Nights of Lights, live music. Half Moon Bay offers miles and miles of sprawling sandy beaches, offering a serene getaway and picturesque views along the Northern California coast. You can complete the Poplar Beach annual parking permit application here. Version: Options: Visit the beaches of Half Moon Bay, headline.
