Insider guide: Where to eat, drink and play in Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay, the scenic, agricultural strip of San Mateo County coastline, draws city dwellers for countless reasons: big-wave surfing, harbor kayaking and world-class seafood, to name a few.
Now is a particularly popular time to visit. Every autumn, this rustic beach town transforms into the pumpkin capital of the world, with farms and pick-your-own pumpkin patches swathed in orange. It all culminates on Oct. 19 and 20 with the 49th annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival downtown.
There will be pumpkin weigh-offs, master pumpkin carvers and every conceivable palate teaser to savor fall’s bounty, whether you prefer your pumpkin via ale, pie, ice cream, macaroni and cheese, bread, chili or sausage. Admission is free, and purchases of treats like pumpkin pancakes or pumpkin churros help a community group in need.
Then you can head down Main Street for your next course, which might include chef creations, like baked potatoes covered in pumpkin curry, or a local distiller’s pumpkin-flavored Jack-o-tinis.
Officially fallen in love with Half Moon Bay? Us too. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of great restaurants, sipping spots and more to check out after the festival or on your next visit. Here are six Half Moon Bay adventures, from a stunning marine reserve to a craft brewery.
Dad’s Luncheonette
Located in a historic caboose on Highway 1, this roadside counter-service spot offers fresh, local, farm-driven food — and major Michelin cred. Chef-owner Scott Clark, who spent three years at Saison, helping it skyrocket to one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, crafts decked-out burgers made with grass-fed, local beef on grilled white bread, and macaroni and cheese topped with puffed wild rice. Even an herb-loaded salad has star power. The eatery is casual, quirky and affordable, as everything on our visit was under $13.
Details: Open Thursday-Sunday at 225 Cabrillo Highway South, Half Moon Bay; www.dadsluncheonette.com
Hop Dogma Brewing Co.
Founded by two home brewers and a Half Moon Bay Brewing Company alum, this stylish microbrewery and taproom located inside the Harbor Village features a dozen small-batch brews ($6-$8), including international gold medal winner, Ol’Keller, a German-style pilsner, and Venti is Large, a milk stout made with Catahoula Coffee that won gold at this year’s U.S. Open Beer Championship. We loved the moody, coffee-house feel of the low-lit taproom, with its Mission-style chandeliers and bright marquee sign. Local food is welcome, and the taproom is kid- and pup-friendly.
Details: Open daily at 270 Capistrano Road, Suite 22, Half Moon Bay; http://hopdogma.com
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
This Marine Protected Area within Montara State Marine Reserve offers some of the best tidepooling on the Northern California coast. During low tide conditions, you may spy slow-moving sea stars and small, camouflaged fish called sculpins, as well as chiton and hermit crabs. It’s also an excellent viewing spot for the resident harbor seals that rest on the rocks across the lagoon from the beach.
Farther along the self-guided tour: The surfgrass flats of Cypress Point and The Enchanted Forest, a Monterey Cypress forest that was the setting for the opening scenes of the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha.”
Details: Open 8 a.m. to sunset daily at 200 Nevada Ave., Moss Beach; www.fitzgeraldreserve.org
The Half Moon Bay Wine & Cheese Company
Pinot noir specialist and Clos de la Tech owner-winemaker T.J. Rodgers is the brains behind this gourmet downtown shop, which carries more than 800 boutique, family-owned and rare wines, as well as fine artisanal and farmstead cheeses from around the world. Whether you’re building a picnic or looking for that special bottle, the friendly staff can help — and certainly uncork a few bottles. At the sleek tasting bar, you can choose from 60 different wines by the glass — you’ll find pinot noirs from several California AVAs in particular — and an array of cheese plates to enjoy with them.
Details: Open daily at 421 Main St., Half Moon Bay; www.hmbwineandcheese.com
Half Moon Bay Distillery
Located at Pillar Point Harbor, the tasting room for this small craft distillery hosts intimate tastings — available via reservation — of its small-batch spirits. The focus is on gin and vodka, including the ultra-premium Purissima Vodka, named after the bygone ghost town, and produced from 100 percent grain, with a touch of malted barley. You’ll also sip Harvard Avenue Gin, bottled at 90 proof with a blend of 12 botanicals that hint at juniper, citrus and warm spice. There’s no tour, since the actual distillery is down the road, but owner-distillers Caesar and Ulli Bisono provide history and a dash of Distilling 101. Did we mention the cocktails? Tastings ($10) include a seasonal cocktail.
Details: Open noon to 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday at 155 Broadway in Pillar Point Harbor; www.hmbdistillery.com
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
If you’re looking for a large, family-friendly place to eat with stunning harbor views, it’s hard to beat this laid-back craft brewery and restaurant. Half Moon Bay Brewing Company offers a big seafood-heavy all-day menu ($18-$33 for entrees) and a pup-friendly patio with fire pits overlooking the harbor. There are 10 beers on tap, including the super-popular Pumpkin Harvest Ale made with locally-grown sugar pie pumpkins, and stand-out dishes include the Food Network award-winning clam chowder, a Portuguese fisherman’s stew and Baja-style fish tacos.
Details: Open daily at 390 Capistrano Road, Half Moon Bay; www.hmbbrewingco.com