Half Moon Bay, Feed & Fuel
Half Moon Bay Feed & Fuel
Gargantuan pumpkins, parades and street fairs attract hordes of visitors to this small coastal town in October. Yet there’s so much more to Half Moon Bay than this annual event. Stay in the area and discover it for yourself: visit San Francisco for the day, look a giant Elephant Seal in the eye, explore an old-time country store, dine on all things artichoke, play world class golf, go tide-pooling, ride a horse along the beach and watch the sun set over the ocean. Sounds tempting? See below for details
Time your arrival at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve with low tide so you can explore this refuge for plants and animals that are especially adapted to live at the edge of the ocean.
Besides galleries, country shops and restaurants Half Moon Bay has an authentic country store, Half Moon Bay Feed and Fuel, selling saddles, rabbits, chickens, animal feed, and farm implements.
Two challenging golf courses are located just south of Half Moon Bay at Ocean Colony. The old Links course, designed by Arnold Palmer is $95.00 Monday through Thursday and $115 Saturday, Sunday and holidays. The new Ocean course, designed by Arthur Hill is $115. Monday through Thursday and $135. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
From January to March , take a guided whale watching tour with Huck Finn Sportfishing tours from Pillar Point Harbor.
Half Moon Bay is one of the few places you can ride horses on the beach unescorted. Pony rides for children, beach, trail, sunset rides and guided tours are available at Sea Horse and Friendly Acres Ranch.
If it is approaching a meal time, 17 miles south of Half Moon Bay, visit Duarte’s Tavern in Pescadero famous for its artichoke dishes and fresh fish. Founded in 1894 it’s a local landmark.
Año Nuevo State Reserve
Año Nuevo State Reserve
Thirty miles south of Half Moon Bay Año Nuevo State Reserve is home to elephant seals whose huge males, with their trunk-like snouts, reach a whopping 6,000 pounds. From mid-December to the end of March park docents conduct a 3-mile round-trip hike to the breeding grounds of these car-size mammals. Reservation lines open in October for the following season (800-444-7275). If you are not able to book several months in advance, call the park directly at 650-879-2025 and they may be able to advise you if last-minute tickets are available.
Favorite places to stay are the Old Thyme Inn in Half Moon Bay and Seal Cove Inn in Moss Beach. Both of these inns are ideally located for a day trip to San Francisco.
Old Thyme Inn, Half Moon Bay
Seal Cove Inn, Moss Beach
