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. 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. 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. The real growth of the area occurred after World War II, with the construction of numerous subdivisions, which eventually led to the incorporation of Half Moon Bay in 1959. 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.
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. 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. The Montara State Marine Reserve and the Pillar Point State Marine Conservation Area extend offshore from Montara, just north of Half Moon Bay. The shoreline of Half Moon Bay is home to a wealth of hiking spots, from lush redwood forests to rolling hillsides coastal.
The 1992 film Raising Cain, which takes place and was filmed on the San Francisco Peninsula, mentions a fictional Half Moon swamp. The Half Moon Bay State Beach Visitor Center is located in Francis Beach and is open Saturday and Sunday (weather and volunteer availability permitting). There's no doubt that you'll want to spend as much time as possible next to the Pacific, as several kilometers of California's coastal path, from border to border, cross Half Moon Bay. Half Moon Bay began as a rural agricultural area, used primarily by the Mission of San Francisco de Asís (established in 1977) for grazing cattle, horses and oxen.
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 is worlds away from big cities like San Francisco and San Jose, but it's only a short drive from most of the Bay Area. Half Moon Bay, home to the world-famous monster waves of Mavericks, is a tranquil coastal town with a strong connection to the ocean, a perfect place for strolling along the beach or dining in a local seafood restaurant.
