Style Magazine
5 Couples’ Retreats
Five hand picked romantic California get-aways for you and your special someone.
3. HALF MOON BAY
Romantic Route:
Just 25 miles south of San Francisco, this is another pretty quick car ride, taking no more than 3 hours from most areas in our region; be sure to bring cash for the bridge toll!
Fall “Inn” Love:
For couples who like to unwind B&B-style, Half Moon Bay Inn, situated in the heart of downtown Half Moon Bay, is an award-winning boutique inn built in 1932 and recently renovated to preserve its Spanish Revival architecture. Definitely European-feeling, this downtown historically-rich and richly adorned property exudes romance and attention to detail. The innkeeper, Jamie, is so inviting and warm – you instantly feel taken care of. halfmoonbayinn.com
Table for Two:
Sandwich your Love. Infamous for their fall-in-love sandwiches, San Benito Deli at the San Benito House offers simple compilations that are straightforward and even better shared. Voted “Best Sandwich in Half Moon Bay…you can bet it’s for good reason. Sandwiches come on your choice of homemade whole wheat, French or olive walnut. sanbenitohouse.com
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company. Enjoy a much-adored love potion at this hotspot dive for both locals and visitors. With a great patio for seaside dining any time of day, the Brewery – producing top-quality Mavericks Beers & Ales in addition to hearty local cuisine – is the place to order the Yucatan Ceviche and beer-battered, deep-fried artichoke hearts. hmbbrewingco.com
Sam’s Chowder House. Enough said – get the chowder here. And, rumor has it – Sam’s Baked Oysters Rockefeller have been known to make sparks fly. sams chowderhouse.com
Activities Amoré:
Coastal Elegance Tours. Experience the beauty of the Pacific Coast up close and personal…on a bike! Hitch up with CET and experience several eco-culture cycling tours featuring rides for all skill levels through only the must-see spots. Look out for the local wildlife! coastalelegancetours.com
Sea Kayaking. Whether you’re an adventurist or a low-key leisurist, there’s a kayak exploration waiting just for you. Half Moon Bay Kayak Co. offers paddling among the harbor seals, seabirds and other marine sanctuary wildlife in protected Pillar Point Harbor. hmbkayak.com
Harley Goat Farm Tour. Who says cheese isn’t sexy? The goats here may not be runway ready, but they sure are cute and fun to pet! In addition to learning how a dairy runs and cheese-making techniques, a visit to these award-winning goat cheese purveyors will have you and your honey appreciating the simple things in life…not to mention four delicious varieties of goat cheese fresh for sampling. They even have goat milk skincare products! harleyfarms.com
Guilty Pleasures:
Get your garlic on. Literally. Take in the sights, sounds and tastes of all things garlic at the Great Garlic BBQ on July 31, 2010, happening at the La Nebbia Winery/Obester Winery in Half Moon Bay.
lanebbiawinery.com
Indulge in prized pastries at Moonside Bakery & Café in Downtown HMB. The shelves are beautifully adorned with a wide variety of cakes, tarts, pies, and pastries for every imagination. You’ll be giving sweet kisses all day long after a visit here. moonsidebakery.com
Romantic Excape to Half Moon Bay, California
July 3, 10:16 AM SF Romance Travel Examiner Karla Erovick
Looking for the perfect romantic getaway, a short distance from San Francisco? Look no further than the coastal community of Half Moon Bay. This beach town has miles of beaches, restaurants and a charming downtown Main Street. It takes 30 minutes or less from San Francisco so you can plan a quick trip or a more leisurely one and still have time to relax and enjoy yourself.
Choose the Half Moon Bay Inn in downtown, for the start of your romantic interlude. This historic inn, built in 1932 has been completely renovated with modern amenities. You will enjoy this luxury boutique hotel with fourteen rooms to choose from. Guest rooms are nicely decorated with a blend of both historic and modern elements including pieces from Mexico and South America. Each is unique with a collection of antiques, some with crystal chandeliers, but all have comfortable modern beds, luxury linens and marble bathrooms. The rooms are luxurious without being fussy and come with plush robes.
The Inn also has large family suites with kitchens that make for a perfect vacation or longer getaway. Weekends can be fully-booked, so consider staying a Sunday or week-night for a better selection of rooms. And if you can’t leave town without your dog, the Inn is dog-friendly. For the rest of this article click here…
Haute Living
Make a Break for It: 10 Questions for Half Moon Bay Hotelier Jamie Barber
Half Moon Bay is a coastal haven located about 30 minutes south of San Francisco. Featuring beautiful beaches, well known wineries, and world-class golf courses and outdoor pursuits, Half Moon Bay is the quintessential respite for Bay Area city-dwellers.
Haute Living sat down for a chat with noted business owner and proprietor of the Half Bay Moon Inn Jamie Barber to talk life in a seaside town. After recently investing $2 million into the historic space, Jamie knows a thing or two about creating a unique, welcoming experience for visitors! (more…)
Sunset
A cozy winter beach weekend in Half Moon Bay
Posted by Sunset, January 12, 2010 in Coast , Northern California
by MacKenzie Geidt, Sunset assistant travel editor
With 3-day weekend season upon us, it’s time to jump on those getaway plans (unless you’re a far more organized person than I am and you’ve actually planned ahead—feel free to gloat). If the ski weekend isn’t your thing—or not in the budget—consider a cozy winter beach weekend (and off-season rates!) in Half Moon Bay.
I’m not a B&B fan (I have a thing against flowery bedspreads), but the nearby Ritz really isn’t in the budget either. And that’s why the Half Moon Bay Inn is my kind of place, and especially affordable right now.
Photos courtesy of Half Moon Bay Inn
Cozy (without the chintz), and a great Main Street location so you can ditch the car and take a small-town stroll. If you’re looking to sleep in, walk on the beach, browse bookstores and cafes, hike, nap, and generally slow down and recharge in a cute throwback small town, this is your spot.
Book it: Off-season rates (through April) from $130. Book online or call 650/726-1177.
Plan your trip: Check out tips on area beaches, eats, and hiking nearby. And worth the short (and gorgeous) coastal drive away are the towns of Pescadero and San Gregorio.
San Joaquin Magazine
Half Moon Bay
San Joaquin’s Closest Beach Getaway
by DON and ANN JACKSON
Imagine you have guests visiting from the East Coast asking where they can go to best experience a Northern California Pacific Ocean beach. Our answer is always the same: Half Moon Bay. As the easiest and fastest beach town to reach from San Joaquin (take 580 to 880 and then scenic 92 to the coast), Half Moon Bay has scenic beaches, a quaint downtown area, a variety of quality restaurants, the world-famous Mavericks surfing competition (where waves have been known to exceed 40 feet), fun-filled seasonal events, lots of outdoor adventure choices, and more. You might drive there for a day and wish you could stay a week. Be sure to take enough time to really explore the area, you will be pleasantly surprised at what you’ll discover.
What to see and do: Our first recommendation is to visit the city websites, www.visithalfmoonbay.org or www.hmbchamber.com, and click on any of the intriguing choices that most pique your interest, like itineraries, farm visits, festivals, and events. Timeless Half Moon Bay activities include strolling around the quaint downtown, walks along the endless miles of beaches, kayaking in the harbor, surfing (but stay away from Mavericks unless you’re a pro), and horseback-riding and bicycling on off-road pathways. (more…)
