Half Moon Bay vacation rentals

Located just over half an hour south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay takes its name from its distinctive crescent shape, surrounded by the rugged Santa Cruz Mountains of northern California. The surrounding areas are a haven for outdoor activities with soaring redwood forests, pristine sandy beaches, and hiking and biking trails perched high up on mountain ridges and ocean bluffs.

Established in 1840, the town of Half Moon Bay is one of the oldest towns in Northern California. Today, Main Street is home to 19th-century stores selling handcrafted furniture and a historic bakery that still bakes in its original brick ovens. Pillar Point Harbor draws fishing enthusiasts in search of Dungeness crab and longfin tuna, while fresh seafood is still sold straight from the boats and seals bob around in the water. Half Moon Bay State Beach’s four-mile stretch of shoreline features a nature trail with seaside daisies dotted in between the dunes.

The weather tends to be the driest during the spring and early fall, making this an ideal time for kayaking around Pillar Point Harbor and hiking among the redwoods at Butano State Park. In the summer, fog can roll in unexpectedly and, during the winter, there is always the possibility of storms and rough seas. Weather in the Bay Area is famously changeable, so you may spend the morning basking in the warm sunshine on the beach and be wrapped up in a cozy sweater an hour later. Packing for all eventualities is advisable.

On the second Saturday of the month, there is a community market featuring artisanal products from local vendors where you can pick up anything from dog treats to succulents. In October, the fun-filled Pumpkin Festival draws people from all over the Bay Area to the town’s pumpkin patches, and in late November and December, Half Moon Bay gets all dressed up for the holidays with lights adorning the storefronts and trees.

Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail

This picturesque trailway is part of the California Coastal Trail, running for three and a half miles alongside the glittering Pacific Ocean on the old Ocean Shore Railroad. The route attracts hikers and bikers alike with its commanding views and thriving birdlife. If you’re lucky, you could encounter red-tailed hawks, red-winged blackbirds, and blue herons along the way.

Watching surfers at Mavericks

Just around the bay from Pillar Point Harbor, Mavericks Beach has an international reputation for epic waves and pro competitions. The challenging conditions make this a firm favorite with adrenaline seekers. Less advanced surfers are better off admiring the skills on show or heading around the bay to Surfer’s Beach for a more tranquil experience.

Filoli Historic House and Garden

Located 20 minutes east of Half Moon Bay, this sprawling country estate’s 56 richly decorated rooms provide a glimpse into the life of wealthy Californians during the Roaring Twenties. The estate is set amongst 654 acres that have been converted into stunning botanical gardens featuring Georgian-style terraces with expansive views over the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains.