Whether you’re looking for a luxurious coastal getaway or searching for a charming seaside town for a little relaxation, Half Moon Bay offers everything you need for a unique and rejuvenating vacation. The petite Northern California city looks like it could be plucked straight out of your favorite Hallmark movie with plenty of opportunities for adventures, socializing, and unwinding. Plus, the gorgeous ocean views are breathtaking! 

From delicious locally-sourced bites and cocktails to unique shopping spots and hands-on activities, we’ve got plenty of fun ideas to help you get the most out of your stay. These are our favorite things to do in Half Moon Bay. 

1. Experience Luxury

If you are looking to treat yourself or a loved one to an unforgettable luxury experience, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is a must-visit destination. From the resort’s breathtaking coastal views to incredible cuisine and stress-melting spa, the iconic Forbes Five-Star resort is sure to meet your expectations and more. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay offers three restaurants with ocean views, serving dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Elegant Navio is perfect for enjoying fresh local seafood while taking in the beautiful seascape.

The restaurant also offers an acclaimed weekend brunch and a phenomenal Global Cuisine Series, a collaboration from Chef Francisco Simon and visiting star chefs like Rachel Haggstrom from The Restaurant at JUSTIN. Upcoming Global Cuisine Series visiting chefs include Chef Shin Thompson (September 21-24) from Niku X in Los Angeles and Chef Pepe Moncayo (November 2-5) from Cranes in Washington DC.

Golf lovers will be in heaven when playing the property’s championship golf courses. The Ocean Course features traditional Scottish design and offers Pacific ocean views from every hole.

For pure relaxation, unwind with a massage, body treatment, or facial at The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. Or enjoy the ocean sunset to the soothing sound of the sea and the evening bagpiper, while getting cozy by the fire pit.

2. Dine on Cuisine Featuring Fresh, Locally-Sourced Ingredients

Downtown Half Moon Bay is filled with delicious restaurants featuring locally-sourced ingredients.

Pasta Moon has been committed to providing farm-to-table cuisine for over 30 years. Kim Levin, Chef and Owner of Pasta Moon, continues to make it the restaurant’s mission to give back to the community while supporting local farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and gourmet artisans. Visitors can enjoy a seasonal menu, with spring menu favorites including Spicy Rock Shrimp Pizza, Wild Alaskan Halibut, Pasta Moon Lasagna, and the Tagliatelle Fresh Jumbo Prawns.

Cantina at San Benito House is great for cocktails, craft beer, and Mexican fare. The restaurant has a fun atmosphere and also offers expansive outdoor seating. Start with the Queso Fundido, the restaurant’s signature queso made with Oaxaca cheese & Wagyu beef chorizo. It’s topped with roasted pasilla peppers and served with corn tortilla chips. We can’t resist sipping on a spicy jalapeño margarita. 

The Conservatory at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, featuring modern beach house design, offers craveworthy menu items, including its famous Half Moon Bay Cioppino made with local seafood, spicy tomato broth, and served with charred sourdough. We’re big fans of the Grilled Octopus appetizer and the Tassal Salmon featuring wild mushrooms espuma with tartufata (black truffle).

Moss Beach Distillery is an award-winning cliffside restaurant perfect for a romantic dinner. Visitors can also stop by to enjoy happy hour from 5-7pm. The heated dog-friendly outdoor patio is a lovely place to take in the ocean views while sharing bites like crispy buttermilk calamari and coastside crab cakes.

Pillar Point Harbor is another fun place to stop for plenty of dining options for delicious local fare. Sam’s Chowder House is a popular spot for sustainable seafood dishes. The Today Show named the lobster roll at Sam’s Chowder House as one of the top five sandwiches in America. Of course, you can’t skip getting a delicious bowl of New England clam chowder.

For craft brews and specialty cocktails near Pillar Point Harbor, grab a beer and grub at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company.

3. Get Artsy 

Looking for unique and fun things to do in Half Moon Bay? For a thrilling artistic experience, take a glass blowing class at the Half Moon Bay Art Glass and learn how to create your own glass-blown design such as a pumpkin, paperweight, heart, terrarium, vase, and more. Yes, you actually will learn how to blow your glass into a one-of-a-kind colorful piece of art! Half Moon Bay Art Glass provides a safe, entertaining, and informative environment for your project.

We had the opportunity to learn from glass blowing expert Douglass Brown, and were amazed at how our beautiful creations came out.

If you’d prefer to just admire Half Moon Bay art, stop by the art galleries in downtown Half Moon Bay, including Ocean Blue Vault.

4. Shop Local

Downtown Half Moon Bay is filled with fabulous local shops perfect for picking up thoughtful gifts for others or spoiling yourself with some treats. Wander down Main Street to discover a wide variety of shops, restaurants, art galleries, and more.

Juno’s Little Mercantile offers an upscale collection of jewelry, bags, candles, skincare, homeware, and fancy Parisian candies. 

Pick up pretty organic flowers, local honey, tea, botanist-formulated skincare and more at Garden Apothecary. 

Get your latest read at Coastside Books and stop next door at Jupiter & Main for a fun and quirky selection of unique gifts. 

Take your home decor to the next level at Abode. Add some sparkle and shine to your outfit with gorgeous jewelry from A².

You can’t miss a stop at Small Town Sweets, an old-fashioned candy shop, filled with nostalgic favorites and locally crafted confections, including malt balls, sea-salt caramel chocolates, fudge, salt-water taffy, gourmet popcorn, and retro-classic candies. 

5. Swing with a View at Half Moon Bay Golf Links

Half Moon Bay is a golf-lovers paradise with Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay home to two spectacular golf courses. Opened in 1973, The Old Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links is a lush 7,001 yard course with cyprus-lined fairways designed by Arnold Palmer and Francis Duane. 

The Ocean Course, a 6,854 yard course by Arthur Hills, is inspired by traditional Scottish design. Every hole has an ocean view, and if you wind down your day with a game of golf, you might just celebrate your final hole with a bagpipe performance as the sun sets into the sea. 

6. Visit Local Nurseries and the Farmer’s Market

Half Moon Bay is one of the top flower producers in the country, and you can stop by some of the local nurseries like Half Moon Bay Nursery and Pastorino Farms to admire and purchase beautiful blooms. Explore Predatory Plants for a unique selection of carnivorous and tropical plants.

You can visit Coastside Farmers Market on Saturdays from April to December to mingle with local farmers, flower growers, fishermen, and more while picking up a sample of Half Moon Bay’s finest locally-grown offerings. 

7. Relax with a Spa Day

The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay’s 16,000-square-foot Spa draws from its surroundings for signature treatments including the Redwood Forest Ritual and seasonal facials using locally sourced ingredients. Guests can enjoy the spa’s many amenities, including lounge areas with fireplaces, whirlpools, a sauna, or steam rooms. 

Oceano Coastal Spa at the Oceano Hotel welcomes guests with soothing stone walls, arched hallways, and a calming relaxation lounge. Guests can unwind in deep soaking tubs and enjoy a variety of services featuring organic skincare products. 

8. Choose Your Own Adventure with Beachside Hiking, Biking, and Horseback Riding

Half Moon Bay’s hiking and biking trails cover over 180 coastal acres. A popular biking route is a 7.5 mile stretch on the The California Coastal Trail (CCT) that winds from Pillar Point Harbor to The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.

If you’re looking for an easy and pretty hike, Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail is a 3.7 mile dog-friendly (on-leash) option with pretty views of the Half Moon Bay coastside. 

If you’re feeling adventurous, join Seahorse Ranch, located on the Pacific Coast Highway, for guided horseback rides on the beach!

9. Celebrate Pumpkins

Visitors love the annual Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival which takes place every October. The festival celebrates the autumn harvest with everything pumpkin including foods, wines, art, and more. There’s plenty of live music and entertainment too. Be sure to book your accommodations early, as this is a busy time of year in Half Moon Bay.

10. Enjoy Wine and Jazz 

Enjoy local wines any time of the year with tastings at Barterra Winery, Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese, and Vinoteca.

In May, you can attend the Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Festival which brings together over 40 California wineries, talented jazz musicians, and local vendors for a lively weekend filled with music and delicious tastings.  

These are our picks for the 10 top things to do in Half Moon Bay. For more information about what to do in Half Moon Bay, check out visithalfmoonbay.org.

Half Moon Bay FAQs

• Where is Half Moon Bay located?

Half Moon Bay is in the western region of San Mateo County in Northern California.

• How far is Half Moon Bay from San Francisco?

The destination is about a 40 minute drive from San Francisco.

• How far is Half Moon Bay from San Jose?

It’s about an hour drive from San Jose.

• How far is Half Moon Bay from Los Angeles?

To get to Half Moon Bay from Los Angeles, you can take a short flight that takes around an hour and 20 minutes from Burbank or LAX to SFO airport. You can take a ride share or rent a car from the airport to get to Half Moon Bay. The car ride to Half Moon Bay from SFO takes around 40 minutes. It takes around six and a half hours to drive to Half Moon Bay from Los Angeles.

• When is the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival?

This year the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival will take place on October 14 and 15.

• Does Half Moon Bay allow dogs?

Many destinations in Half Moon Bay are dog friendly. For instance there are dog-friendly hiking trails and restaurants. Check with the individual location ahead of time to inquire whether dogs are allowed.

• Where does the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail start?

The Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail is an 11.5 mile trail that can be started on the north end at Dardanelle Trail at Cypress Ave in Moss Beach or on the south end at the Cowell Ranch Trail south of Miramontes Point Road.

A University of Michigan graduate, Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. Her work has appeared in publications including Beauty Launchpad, Nailpro, DAYSPA, CNET, Entertainment Tonight, and more. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA, and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter: @zillizy, @zillizy16