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. However, don't let the small-town descriptor fool you. Half Moon Bay has the best of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in one place. With a vast and diverse landscape that encompasses miles of wide sandy beaches, lush cliff-top meadows, and forested hills, there's a lot to explore.
Our enviable coastal environment with a dynamic port and a thriving surf and water sports culture will inspire you to hop on a fishing boat, kayak or paddleboard and explore our diverse marine ecosystem. 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-level farmworkers. Newsom threatened to take legal action against the city if they continued to delay housing construction. Half Moon Bay commissioner Rick Hernandez said they were reluctant to approve housing for older farmworkers because “we love the character of our small town community, which states that, once this proposal is approved, it will generate more requests for other construction”.
In the city, the population was dispersed: 22.2% under 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% from 65 years of age or older. The average age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.1 Men.
Law enforcement in the city of Half Moon Bay is provided through a contract with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. The city is serviced by the Peninsula Library System. The city is served by Half Moon Bay Airport. 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 Airport hosts an annual charity event in April, called Pacific Coast Dream Machines, at which aircraft are presented and cars.
The Visit Half Moon Bay website is a cooperative effort of the Half Moon Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, the Half Moon Bay Hotel Business Improvement District, and the Half Moon Bay Downtown Association. Half Moon Bay's historic main street features more than one hundred locally owned small businesses, including exclusive boutique stores, delicious restaurants, impressive art galleries, and plenty of free parking within walking distance of everything. With an immense landscape and the charm of a small town, the coastline of Half Moon Bay offers visitors a wide range of experiences. If you're looking to treat yourself to luxury after a day of exploring the coast, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay perches on a cliff with an ocean view.
The port of Pillar Point, at the northern end of Half Moon Bay, offers a protected pier for ships and provides other marine infrastructure. Half Moon Bay Pumpkin and Art Festival Half Moon Bay Wine and Jazz Festival Dream Machine Fashion 4th of July Fashion Show by Sol Make It Main Street Nights of Lights Live Music. The album Half Moon Bay was recorded by jazz pianist Bill Evans in 1973 at the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society in Half Moon Bay. Half Moon Bay offers miles and miles of sprawling sandy beaches, offering a serene getaway and picturesque views along the northern coast of California.
Half Moon Bay began as a rural agricultural area, used primarily by the Mission of San Francisco de Asís (established in 177) for grazing cattle, horses and oxen. The 1992 film Raising Cain, which takes place and was filmed on the San Francisco Peninsula, mentions a fictional Half Moon swamp. As for the Mavericks, the waves that Half Moon Bay is known for around the world, only the most experienced surfers should consider tackling challenging waves that can reach heights of 15 meters or more. 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 more more.
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.
