Half Moon Bay is located on the Pacific coast, between forested hills and some of the most beautiful coastline California has to offer. It is approximately 45 miles south of San Francisco and is located in the westernmost part of San Mateo County. With its historic center, shops, art galleries, restaurants, accommodations, beaches, parks, golf courses, nurseries and farms, it's a wonderful local and regional destination. The Pumpkin Festival, held in October, attracts people from all over the country to enjoy its panoramic views, excellent cuisine, art, craftsmanship and genuine hospitality.
The city of Half Moon Bay is already experiencing the effects of climate change, including extreme heat and wind events during summer and fall and flooding in the winter months. Half Moon Bay's main street is the Bay Area's best kept secret, where you'll find unique and interesting shops, epic restaurants, art galleries, tasting rooms and much more. These roads are also congested on weekends and especially during major tourist events, such as the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival, held every year in October, and the Mavericks surf competition. The economy of Half Moon Bay is dominated by a handful of companies, the largest of which is the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, which employs 500 people and is a major source of income from property taxes and tourism for the city.
Half Moon Bay offers miles and miles of sprawling sandy beaches, offering a serene getaway and picturesque views along the Northern California coast. Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival, Pacific Coast Dream Machines, 4th of July fashion show in Sol fashion, Make it Main Street, Nights of Lights, live music. The real growth of the area occurred after World War II, with the construction of numerous subdivisions, leading to the creation of Half Moon Bay in 1959. Half Moon Bay's climate is typical of coastal Northern California, with mild summers and cool, humid winters. In addition to providing housing for farmworkers, the city has made progress in developing affordable housing for the elderly, a growing demographic group in Half Moon Bay.
Chidester emphasizes that the future of Half Moon Bay depends on providing safe, affordable and decent housing for all residents. The Montara State Marine Reserve and the Pillar Point State Marine Conservation Area extend offshore from Montara, just north of Half Moon Bay. For families, these events, combined with the area's natural splendour, make Half Moon Bay a truly special place to live and work. 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. Half Moon Bay is approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of San Francisco, 10 miles (16 km) west of San Mateo and 45 miles (72 km) north of Santa Cruz.
Enjoy a cold craft beer at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company or a delicious lobster roll at Sam's Chowder House. There are no active faults within the city limits of Half Moon Bay; however, the San Andreas Fault is located approximately five miles east of the boundary of the city.
