Half Moon Bay Attractions and Beyond
Leisurely Pursuits for Everlasting Memories
Half Moon Bay attractions beckon to every member of the family during your vacation. From golfing to surfing to horseback riding and beyond, there’s always something to do when you stay at Half Moon Bay Lodge. Check out our favorite Bay Area attractions below and plan your leisurely escape today.
Half Moon Bay Golf Links
2 Miramontes Point Road
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 712-2220
Rated by Golf Digest as one of the “best 18 holes in the country,” Half Moon Bay Golf Links boasts two championship 18-hole golf courses for you to sharpen your drive and putt right outside your door.
Surfing at Mavericks Invitational
Mavericks is a world-renowned big wave break located one-half mile off the coast of Half Moon Bay California. Since the early 1990s, the area has become an epicenter of big-wave surfing, attracting elite riders to test their limits. Waves crest as high as 50 feet. Each winter, during a period typically between November and March, giant swells roll in from far across the Pacific. The Mavericks Surf Contest® is held on just 24 hours notice.
Beaches
There are a variety of beaches to choose from at Half Moon Bay. These include Cowell Ranch Beach, Half Moon Bay State Beach, Moss Beach, Gray Whale Cove State Beach, Surfer’s Beach, Dunes Beach, Pillar Point Bluff, Roosevelt Beach State Park, Poplar Beach and Blufftop. Work on your tan, try surfing or go for a swim throughout your stay.
Seahorse Ranch
Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1)
Half Moon Bay, CA 94044
(650) 726-9903
This storied ranch is known for its thrilling trail-rides through the foothills of the California Coastal Range of Mountains, one of the top Half Moon Bay activities for adventurous guests. In business now for over 40 years, visitors are treated upon arrival to over seven miles’ worth of trails, over creek beds and along bluffs down to the Pacific Ocean itself.
Pillar Point
Pillar Point Harbor is a protected harbor along the San Mateo County California Coast, home to a vital commercial fishing industry, to sport fishermen, and to pleasure boaters. The Harbor has 369 berths and an inner and outer breakwater, making it one of the safest harbors around.
Deep Sea Fishing
Ask our helpful staff members about deep sea fishing tours and go out for the big catch at many renowned fishing areas nearby, including Pillar Point Harbor and South Beach Harbor. Some reputable tour companies are Queen of Hearts Houdini Sportsfishing, Wacky Jacky and Huck Finn Sportsfishing.
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
About an hour away, Santa Cruz Boardwalk beckons with its cool surf, warm sands and hot rides and entertainment. Considered the world’s best seaside amusement park, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk was founded in 1907 and is California’s oldest surviving amusement park.
Kayaking
Discover the exciting rush of sea kayaking in Half Moon Bay, a diverse and dynamic environment yours to explore. Ask our staff members about setting up an expedition from Pillar Point or the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.
Pumpkin Farms
Half Moon Bay is home to various pumpkin farms, including Arata, Lemos, Pastorino and Farmer John’s. Every October, the city is home to the annual pumpkin festival on historic Main Street, celebrating pumpkins, art, wine and community.
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
This reserve is perfect for families, offering low tides for fun and safe strolls among the pools. Visitors to this San Mateo County Park located in Moss Beach, CA can view sea urchins, sea stars, harbor seals, mollusks of all stripes and colors and even rare, red octopi up close. Recently designated a Marine Protected Area, the rocky shore of the reserve becomes an outdoor classroom at low tide, allowing explorers of all ages to experience the diversity of marine life.
Santa’s Tree Farm
78 Pilarcitos Creek Road
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 726-2246
Located just thirty minutes south of San Francisco, Santa’s Tree Farm sits on a 487-acre farm, with 22 different fields of Christmas Trees. The Farm is one of the largest choose-and-cut live Christmas Tree Farms in the San Francisco Bay Area.