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Half Moon Bay

508 Main St · Half Moon Bay, CA

Why you should go…

The Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Bureau runs Visit Half Moon Bay as a cooperative visitor information effort with the Half Moon Bay Hotel Business Improvement District and Downtown Association. It covers the San Mateo County Coastside, a roughly 300 square mile area spanning Half Moon Bay and seven surrounding communities, and operates the California Welcome Center at 508 Main Street.

  • #coastal
  • #welcome center
  • #hiking
  • #shopping
  • #day trips

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Half Moon Bay, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Filoli

    $25–$50

    A 1917 Georgian Revival mansion and 16-acre English Renaissance garden estate open for house tours, garden walks and hiking trails.

    6.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    San Mateo County

    Free

    Official visitor information for San Mateo County, the Bay Area region marketed as the San Francisco Peninsula.

    9.1 mi awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Iconic

    Red and White Fleet

    $25–$50

    San Francisco Bay sightseeing cruises departing from Fisherman's Wharf, including views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.

    21 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Ride California

    $50+

    Guided electric bike tours through scenic California coastal towns on premium pedal-assist e-bikes.

    21 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    San Francisco Bay Ferry

    Under $25

    Passenger ferries linking San Francisco's Ferry Building to Oakland, Alameda, Sausalito, and other bay towns.

    23 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Blue & Gold Fleet

    $25–$50

    San Francisco Bay sightseeing cruises past Alcatraz, the sea lions, and under the Golden Gate Bridge.

    24 mi awayMore like this