Stay, Eat, and Play in Half Moon Bay, California

One of my very favorite places to visit is Half Moon Bay, California. I actually lived there until I was 5, so you could say I was born with a part of the coastal city in my heart. I spent my childhood, teen, and college years living about 20 minutes inland, visiting the ocean only sporadically for a beach day…and then I met my now husband.

Before he met me, Mel lived in Half Moon Bay and once we were dating he introduced me to the wonders of the coast: hiking, the beach, and the good food. We’d get up early every Saturday morning to get over the hill before the crowds came and we’d spend hours exploring our favorite hiking spots, sitting on the beach, and eating our way through downtown. We actually fell in love on top of Montara Mountain, just a few short miles from Half Moon Bay.

Now that we live a few hours away, I have to settle for only occasional visits to this wonderful little town and I cherish each and every one. Some day (once Jordan leaves the house) our goal is to move there so that I can walk on the ocean and get my salty air recharge every day instead of only once or twice a year.

If you’ve ever in the area visiting San Francisco or San Jose, or even if you live in the Bay Area, don’t miss all that this little coastal town has to offer. It’s a must-see, even if you only spend one night. If that’s ever the case, you’ll need my guide to where to stay, eat, and play in Half Moon Bay, California!

Where to Play

For me, Half Moon Bay is all about the beach, hiking, and being outdoors. Don’t let the fog fool you! You may arrive and think it’s going to be a gloomy day, but often times it burns off by lunchtime. (The fog and varying temperatures also means you should pack layers!)

Visit the Beach. There is coastal access all up and down Highway 1. Some of the more popular stops are Venice Beach, Roosevelt Beach, Half Moon Bay State Beach, and Poplar Beach. The first three have bathroom structures, I believe, and Poplar has an outhouse. All of them require pay to park. Beach-going in Northern California isn’t like heading to Santa Monica Pier in LA. The water is COLD, so be prepared to don a wetsuit or just stick your feet in and enjoy some of the most gorgeous coastline in California.

Take a Walk or Hike: This is what we ALWAYS do in Half Moon Bay. Exercise is always our first stop because it’s so breathtaking. Here are three easy walks we love:

1. Montara Mountain. This isn’t really a walk – it’s definitely a hike. The shortest circle is about 3 miles long but it’s worth every step. You wind around the backside of the mountain through pretty coastal foliage. Just before you head down the mountain you get a gorgeous view of the entire coast (depending on the fog, of course). This is where Mel and I sat and had a picnic and fell in love!
2. Poplar Beach path. If you park at Poplar Beach (head down Poplar Ave from Highway 1) you’ll notice a path along the ocean cliffs. This path runs for miles in both directions and it’s a great starting place for a long walk. Most people head north, but south is just as beautiful!
3. Beach path via Pilarcitos. A little farther south down Highway 1 from Poplar is a beautiful community of homes. If you park on Pilarcitos right at the end (there’s a spanish style mansion) you can walk on an easement to the beach path. Head south and walk as long as you want. You’ll go over some fun walking bridges, get to see all the state beaches, and enjoy some gorgeous wildflowers and local vegetation.

Watch Mavericks: If you’re in the area in January (and sometimes December and/or February) you may notice a LOT of surfers (more than normal). The waves in one spot along the coast a few miles off the coast of Pillar Point Harbor. If you’re on Highway 1 you can tell where it is because there is Air Base Station there (it looks like a huge ball on top of a pole). You can watch the surfers from Ross Cove (and it’s a nice beach too).

Shop downtown: this is a favorite of ours too. Main Street in Half Moon Bay is a quintessential small town USA main street with tons of little shops and restaurants. We always like to walk down Main Street (and EAT) after a walk.

Where to Eat

Oh my there are some good places to eat in Half Moon Bay!! I have two favorites that are MUST STOPS. Even if you can’t eat any more, do it anyway. And then go to the two bakeries and get dessert.

Barbara’s Fishtrap (in Princeton, at Pillar Point Harbor)

This place has been my favorite since the day I fell in love with my husband. He took me there after we hiked at Montara Mountain. They have a walk-up outdoor place to get food, and a restaurant you can sit in. The outside menu is smaller (but has all the favorites) and is perfect for when there is a super long wait to eat inside. (We got there 20 minutes before they opened and we about 10th in line for a table.)

What to order: The Clam Chowder and the Tempura Shrimp. Don’t miss out on either of them! The chowder is unlike any you’ve ever had and I crave it all the time. Note: they ONLY take cash or check, NO credit cards!

The San Benito House Deli (on Main Street)

Mel introduced me to this shortly after we started dating. He told me they have the BEST bread you’ll ever eat and I was all, whatever, I’m a bread connoisseur. But, you guys, it IS. The BEST bread. They have two kinds, white and wheat, and both are fabulous. The sandwiches come to order and you can get a half or a whole. I suggest getting a whole and then taking half home for later…and a loaf of bread too.

What to order: A sandwich is a MUST!

Moonside Bakery (on Main Street)

This is my favorite bakery in Half Moon Bay. I’ve been to a few and they’re all good, but this one is my favorite. The cookies are fabulous but I always pine for their Almond Horns and Hazelnut Rings. BOTH are going on the blog this year. Get an assortment of cookies and treats for dessert, but this is a great breakfast stop too. They have good coffee and great pastries!

What to order: an almond horn and hazelnut ring can’t be missed.

We also love the Half Moon Bay Bakery (also on Main Street). And if you love coffee and hot chocolate, a stop at the Half Moon Bay Coffee Company is a must. It’s not quite on Main street, but close (it’s at one far end) and they also have a sit down breakfast and to. die. for. pastries, pies, cookies, cakes, and cheesecake!

Also, you must eat at the Ritz Carlton Ocean Terrace…see below for details and FOOD! The views alone are worth it, but the food is so good!

Where to Stay

There are a few hotels in Half Moon Bay, and there are also lots of B&Bs if you like those. I’m a hotel girl all the way, the nicer the better. (I’m a total princess!) We’ve stayed at the Half Moon Bay Lodge several times. It’s nice and clean and a good price and has really nice grounds. This website shows a lot of the other options, none of which I’ve stayed at, but a few look nice and are in good locations. BUT…if you want a gorgeous hotel with gorgeous views…you really need to stay at the Ritz Carlton. Just do it, then thank me later.

The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay

Our trip to Half Moon Bay last month was for our anniversary so I wanted to surprise my husband with a gorgeous hotel and the Ritz Carlton is just that. The hotel website bills the hotel as a luxury ocean front resort and it is exactly that, and then some.

When we arrived, the gate house radioed ahead and the bellhops greeted us by name. Our car and luggage was whisked away and I was handed a glass of wine at the check-in desk. (Honestly, is there anything better than that?)

Our room wasn’t quite ready so we ventured out onto The Ocean Terrace to have a drink while we waited. When I stepped outside onto the deck I think I must have gasped; I haven’t seen anything quite so beautiful in a long time. The entire terrace bar overlooks the golf course, the cliffs, and the ocean. The terrace is complete with bar tables, adirondack chairs, and fire pits to make yourself at home. You can even get a s’mores kit to indulge like a kid again!

Once our room was ready, our luggage was brought to our room within minutes. The room was gorgeous, all done in soft grays and white. The bathroom was my favorite part – it had a separate soaker tub!

My husband loved the view: we overlooked the 18th hole at one of the two golf courses on property. He spent the afternoon watching golf from the window (who needs a TV?) and joking about some of the outfits on some of the players (picture neon pink and green plaid knickers with a matching hat).

After our marathon of eating earlier in the day, we didn’t feel like a huge dinner. Plus, we wanted to soak up the view, so we headed back to The Ocean Terrace to eat. My husband indulged me as I ordered practically one of everything on the menu. At this point the fog was rolling back in so the waiter gave us blankets to use. The food was to die for and you had to roll me back to our room.

What to order: The tacos and the crab corn chowder are a must!

We got a huge surprise back in our room: the hotel knew it was our anniversary and they decorated it while we were out, complete with rose petals and photos from our wedding that they’d printed from my blog. There was even a crackling log on the fireplace channel on the TV. (They think of everything, seriously. We wanted to close the blinds and there was even a switch near the bed to electronically open and close them. GENIUS!)

The next morning we took a walk on the grounds. They’re breathtaking, really. And, if you want a good walk, you can even walk along the beach path heading north and go all the way to Poplar Beach!

I told my husband we’re going to always have to stay at the Ritz Carlton when we go to Half Moon Bay now. Everything about the hotel was welcoming, from the staff to the rooms. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the view from that terrace, ever.

So, the next time you’re in Northern California, take a stop in Half Moon Bay. Stay a night at the Ritz Carlton, do some walking and lots of eating. You’ll fall in love with the coast just like I did!

Disclosure: I was given a media rate for my stay at The Ritz Carlton in exchange for social media posts. This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own.

Last Updated on September 10, 2022