Half Moon Bay is a Pacific Ocean bay off the coast of San Mateo County, California. The bay is roughly semicircular, hence the name half moon, with access to the sea from the south. 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. Newsom threatened to take legal action against the city if they continued to delay the construction of the housing.
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, and he says 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 years of age, 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 males.
Law enforcement in the city of Half Moon Bay is done through a contract with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. The city has the Peninsula Library System. The city is served by Half Moon Bay Airport. Half Moon Bay owes its name to the crescent shape of the bay in which it is located. A glance at a map or an aerial photograph shows that the bay looks remarkably like a crescent.
The first inhabitants of this fertile coastal terrace believed that they came from the earth. In their first 14,000 years here, they developed a way of life centered on caring for the land. The people who are now collectively known as Ohlone were organized into at least 50 politically autonomous tribal groups that spoke several dialects. Expanded clans formed villages, each of which included social organizations.
Half Moon Bay is honestly named after it. HMB, one of the first settlements in San Matheo County, was initially known as Spanishtown. Even so, in the mid-19th century, people began to refer to it by the name of the crescent shaped bay that embraces beautiful beaches. 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. Eyewitness accounts indicate that ships landed on the beaches of Half Moon Bay with illegal alcohol from Canada. As you stroll down Half Moon Bay's historic main street, you follow in the footsteps of a diverse cast of characters, from gold diggers and 19th century Mexican soldiers to Spanish explorers and Ohlone tribes. Although they didn't label the area with the name Half Moon Bay, their legacy remains an integral part of the region's history.
Half Moon Bay is a coastal city in San Mateo County, California (United States), approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of San Francisco. 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. Long before its streets hosted vibrant art and pumpkin festivals, downtown Half Moon Bay was a rural community of ranchers, the result of land granted by the Mexican government to Candelario Miramontes, a military officer in the San Francisco Presidio. Today's Half Moon Bay presents tourism as an important part of its economy, with its picturesque coastline and numerous attractions.
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival, Pacific Coast Dream Machine, 4th of July parade in the manner of Sol, Make It Main Street, Nights of Lights and live music. From a nautical perspective, the crescent shape of the bay also provided a natural harbor for ships in waters that Otherwise they would be treacherous. Golf lovers can enjoy the picturesque Half Moon Bay golf course, next to the Ritz Carlton hotel, as well as the Sharp Park golf course in Pacifica. So, take advantage of the rest stop and learn about the Half Moon Bay coastal path, which borders four beaches.
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. And if you're not interested in chasing that white ball, maybe you can go get a cold drink at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay.
