Harbor Vista’s
Half Moon Bay Coastside Guide

Click to enlarge Click here for a map of the surrounding area

• Beaches
• Bike Rentals & Tours
• Boating and Kayak rentals
• Day Spas
• Doctors, Hospitals and Pharmacies
• Dining
• Farmers Market
• Fun Family Outings
• Golf
• Grocery Stores
• Hiking
• Holidays and Festivals
• Horseback riding
• Music & Nightlife
• Other Useful Links
• Parks
• Pumpkin Patches
• Sport Fishing
• Surfing
• Wine
• Yoga

Calendar of Events

Holidays and Festivals

Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade
Main Street, Half Moon Bay
This is a fun small town event. Children decorate their bikes and march with local clubs and the HMB marching band.

July 4th Fireworks over Pillar Point Harbor
El Granada
Depending on weather, we have a pretty good view of the local fire works from both decks. The show is supported with community donations so they only put it on when they raise enough funds. We usually won’t know if the show is going on until the end of June.

Pumpkin Festival
Main Street, Half Moon Bay
Held annually in mid-October
Harvest inspired arts & crafts, live entertainment, pie-eating, costume contests, a parade and giant pumpkins! What more could you ask for in October!

Dream Machines
Last Sunday in April
Half Moon Bay Airport (Highway 1 just North of the Harbor)
A showcase of machines from cool cars to tractor and aircrafts. Amusements for kids, food and live entertainment. Past shows have featured B-17’s, NASCAR race cars and bi-planes.

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Day Spas

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
1 Miramontes Point Road
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 712-7000
Fax: (650) 712-7070
www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay/Spa/

Ujuva
455 Ave. Alhambra
PO Box 336
El Granada, CA 94018,
Phone: (650) 726-1058
www.ujuva.com

Body & Soul Day Spa
270 Main St.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 712-1244
Fax: (650) 712-6801

Primrose Country Day Spa
630 Purissima
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-1244
www.primrosespa.com

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Yoga

Enso
131 Kelly Ave.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-1409
www.ensohmb.com

FIT Fitness Studio
225 S. Cabrillo Hwy., #106C
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-4040
www.fithmb.com

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Bike Rentals and Tours

BikeRec.Com Bicycle Rentals
260 Grove St.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-8686
www.bikerec.com

Coastal Elegance Tours
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 712-8456
Fax: (650) 712-8419
www.coastalelegancetours.com

It’s hard to catch a low tide and no trip to the coast would be complete with out visiting the rainbow of marine life in the tide pools. Their nature tours always include an intertidal marine photographic tour during our snack. There’s no better way to learn about the coast than with a local. Your guide discusses the local folklore, eco-system, wildlife and inter-tidal zone and safety. With them you can "Experience the Hidden Coastside."

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Boating and Kayak rentals

Half Moon Bay Yacht Club
PO Box 52
214 Princeton Ave.
El Granada, CA 94018
Phone: (650) 728-2120
Fax: (650) 728-1947
www.hmbyc.org

California Canoe & Kayak
214 Princeton Ave.
Princeton-By-The-Sea, CA 94018
Phone: (800) 366-9804
Fax: (510) 893-2617
www.calkayak.com

Half Moon Bay Kayak Company
Johnson Pier, Pillar Point Harbor
PO Box 2388
El Granada, CA 94018,
Phone: (650) 773-6101
Fax: (650) 726-2778
www.hmbkayak.com

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Golf

Half Moon Bay Golf Links
2 Miramontes Point Rd.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-4438
Fax: (650) 726-9039

Two world-class 18-hole courses set against the ocean and next to the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay. Rated one of the 10 Best Courses in the World by Golf Digest, it's a public course and reservations can be made online. Also, there's this zoomable aerial view of the courses.

www.hmbgolflinks.com

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Horseback riding

Sea Horse Ranch/Friendly Acres
1828 N. Cabrillo Hwy
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-2362
Fax: (650) 726-0848
www.horserentals.com/seahorse.html

Park Pacifica Stables
650 Cape Breton Drive
Pacifica, CA 94044
Phone: 650) 355-4004
www.parkpacificastables.net

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Beaches

• Thornton State Beach
• Pacifica State Beach
• Gray Whale Cove State Beach
• Montara State Beach
• Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
• Mavericks & Pillar Point Marsh
• El Granada Beach (closest to our house)
• Miramar Beach
• Half Moon Bay State Beach
• San Gregorio State Beach
• Pomponio State Beach
• Pescadero State Beach
• Bean Hollow State Beach
• Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
• Año Nuevo State Park
• Año Nuevo State Beach

Miramar Beach
Take Highway 1 South , turn west on Magellan Avenue, then left on Mirada Road.
This is a nice beach for kids and the path down is not too bad.

El Granada Beach (Surfer’s Beach)
Take Highway 1 North , turn left at Capistrano, then left at the Harbor sign for parking. You can also park on Highway 1 across the street from the beach, but you’ll need to cross the highway.
This is also a nice beach for kids, and beginning surfers.

Mavericks & Pillar Point Marsh
Mavericks is a famous spot for Big Wave surfing and Mavericks annual surf contest. Its famous waves break about 1 mile off shore. On the way to the point is beach sheltered by the breakwall, so there’s little to no current or waves, and it’s good for children.
From Highway 1, take Capistrano Road to Pillar Point Harbor. Continue past the harbor entrance to Prospect Way and turn left. Turn right on Broadway, then immediately left on Harvard. Continue to the end of Harvard. Turn right on West Point Ave. Go 0.5 mile to the Pillar Point Marsh parking lot.

Montara State Beach, Montara
Park in the lot on the West side of HWY1 at 2nd street. The path down to the beach is steep. Dogs must be on a leash

Año Nuevo State Park/Beach
Año Nuevo State Park has the annual guided tours of the elephant seal breeding grounds from Dec 15 - March 31. Tour reservations required via California Parks System Reservations

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Moss Beach
Take HWY 1 North to California Ave and head west. Open during day light hours but tide pools are best seen at low tide. Beaches are small but quiet. No dogs allowed.

Naples/Roosevelt Beach
Take HWY 1 South, turn west on Washington Boulevard. Turn right on Naples Avenue, then left on Roosevelt Boulevard.

F.Y.I. Gray Whale State beach is a clothing optional beach. Dogs are not allowed. It's located north of Montara on Highway One. The only available automobile parking is on the east side of Highway 1. Crossing to the ocean side of the highway can be both difficult and dangerous. Best to leave the kids at home.

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Pumpkin Patches

Pumpkin patches open up in early September and are mostly along Highway 1 and 92 near Half Moon Bay. Be sure to bring cash, as they do not generally take credit cards. And *everything* costs 'two tickets', so be prepared.

Arata's Pumpkin Patch (12 miles from Harbor Vista)
Our favorite. Arata's Pumpkin Patch is the oldest working pumpkin farm in San Mateo County. Pumpkins have been a way of life at the Arata Farm since 1932. They feature a huge pumpkin patch, pony rides, petting zoo, hay rides and maze, and lots more!
185 Verde Rd.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(Note: Drive south on Highway 1 from 92 about 8 miles, look for signs and turn left.) www.aratapumpkinfarm.com

Lemos Family Farm (6 miles from Harbor Vista)
Buy a pumpkin, ride a pony, bounce in a bounce house, take a ride on their haunted train and visit the petting zoo! Lemos has a childrens' play area too. They can get crowded so get there early. 12320 San Mateo Rd.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-2342
Fax: (650) 726-5059
www.lemosfarm.com

Farmer John's Pumpkins (2 miles from Harbor Vista)
This farmer grows pumpkins in a wide variety of shapes and sizes! There is also a hay tunnel, scarecrows, Farmer John’s older model John Deere tractor, an authentic Native American Ti Pi, and more!
800 N. Cabrillo Hwy.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-4980
Fax: (650) 726-2991
www.farmerjohnspumpkins.com

H. Pastorino & Son (6 miles from Harbor Vista)
It's a fun place to spend the afternoon. During October they usually have a petting zoo, pony rides, bouncey slide, hay rides and a cute shop where you can find fall arts and crafts items.
12391 San Mateo Rd.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-6440

Andreotti Family Farm (4 miles from Harbor Vista)
Andreotti's sells a wide variety of produce in their charming, weathered barn. In the barn you'll also find a nice selection of Indian corn, gourds, and some of the largest Munchin pumpkins ever seen. They have a very pretty hay covered patch adjacent to the barn surrounded by corn and beautiful sunflowers. It even comes complete with a spooky ghost to watch over you.
329 Kelly Ave.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-9151

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Sport Fishing

Riptide Sportfishing
1 Johnson Pier
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (888) 747-8433
Fax: (888) 747-8433
www.riptide.net

Huck Finn Sportfishing
15 Johnson Pier
Pillar Point Harbor
El Granada, CA 94018
Phone: (650) 726-7133
Fax: (650) 726-2525
www.huckfinnsportfishing.com

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Surfing

Open Ocean Surf Lessons & Surf Camps
260 Grove St.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-8686
www.openoceansurfing.com

Maverick Surf Ventures, LLC
548 Union St.
San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 595-3741
Fax: (208) 692-4246
www.maverickssurf.com/Home

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Farmers Market

Coastside Farmer's Market
Shoreline Station at Kelly Ave. & Hwy 1
(650) 726-4895
Saturdays 9-1 May through November

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Parks

Quarry Park .6 miles
Quarry Park is a 40 acre community park in El Granada. Small play structure, picnic area and hiking trails
Corner of Santa Maria Ave. and Columbus St
www.mpl.sanmateo.org/QPInfo.htm

Moss Beach Park 4.1 miles
Great park with castle like forts, pirate flags, a sand box and swings
CA-1 & California Ave
Moss Beach
http://mossbeachpark.com

Half Moon Bay State Beach
95 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay, CA
(650) 726-8819
www.parks.ca.gov

The Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail stretches from Half Moon Bay State Park to Miramar -- totaling nearly 3 miles. With its well paved path, the bluff top trail is a great multiuse course for walkers, joggers, strollers and bike riders. It offers sweeping ocean and beach views.  All along the trail is easy beach access for sunbathing, kite flying, and picnicking. You can park at the harbor and head South.

For a complete list of parks, see: www.explorer1.com/halfmoonbay/parks-recreation.htm

Hiking

Butano State Park
Butano State Park is located in a secluded redwood-filled canyon. The park is on the San Mateo Coast, off Highway One. Three miles northeast of the Gazos Creek Coastal Access Point by way of Gazos Creek Road, and about 4.5 miles southeast of Pescadero by way of the Pescadero and Cloverdale Roads.

The park features miles of hiking trails, 21 drive-in campsites and 18 walk-in campsites. Restrooms with running water are provided. Drinking water is available at the park in both the campground and in the day use areas. There are no showers.

Guided nature walk and weekend campfire programs are offered during the summer.

Dogs are permitted in the campground and in developed areas, providing they are controlled with a leash of no more than six feet at all times. Dogs are not permitted on the trails.
Reservations

Big Basin
The best redwoods on the coast, within 1.5 hours of Half Moon Bay. Big Basin is California's oldest State Park, established in 1902. Home to the largest continuous stand of Ancient Coast Redwoods south of San Francisco, the park consists of Old Growth and recovering Redwood Forest, with mixed conifer, oaks, chaparral, and riparian habitats. Elevations in the park vary from sea level to over 2,000 feet. The climate ranges from foggy and damp near the ocean to sunny, warm ridge tops.

The park has over 80 miles of trails. Be sure and pick up a map at park headquarters before your hike and take a look at the multimedia kiosk in the Sempervirens Room (next to park headquarters). There you will find great information, photos, and video of some of the most popular trails.
Reservations

Bay Area Hikes
Great site describing short and long Bay Area hikes in detail: www.bahiker.com/southbay.html

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Fun Family Outings

Downtown Half Moon Bay
Main Street, Half Moon Bay
Unique shops, art galleries and cafés make main street a fun place to spend the day.

Lemos Family Farm5.7 miles
Lemos has pony rides, petting zoo, bounce house and train. Open daily during summer and holidays. Weekends only the rest of the year.
12320 San Mateo Rd.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-2342
Fax: (650) 726-5059
www.lemosfarm.com

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve 4.4 miles
Tide pools
200 Nevada Ave, Moss Beach
(650) 728-3584
www.fitzgeraldreserve.org

San Francisco Zoo 20.7 mi - about 34 mins
Over 250 animals in their natural environment, large children's zoo, train ride, merry go round. The zoo is across the street from Ocean Beach in San Francisco.
1 Zoo Road
San Francisco, CA. 94132
Telephone: (415) 753-7080
www.sfzoo.org

Harley Farms Goat Dairy
They offer group tours where you will follow the flow of milk from goat to the cheese making room and some tours end with a cheese tasting above the dairy in our Hay Loft overlooking the farm.
(650) 879-0480
Private tours please call for information

Año Nuevo State Reserve 30 miles - about 45min
Breeding ground for the Northern elephant seal. Access to the seal viewing area is limited so please call for viewing formation and reservations. Breeding Season is December - March. No Pets are Allowed
Highway 1 between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay
(650) 879-0227 recorded message and (800) 444-4445 for reservations
8:00am to Sunset (Special Hour Restrictions for Seal Viewing Area)

Swanton Berry Farm
Seasonal fruit picking including strawberries, olallieberries, kiwi and Christmas Trees
Drive south on Highway 1 about 36 miles to Coastways ranch and another 8.5 miles to the Swanton Berry Farm Stand.
Davenport
(831)-469-8804
check website for dates and times
swantonberryfarm.com

Phipps Country Store and Farm 22 miles - about 37 min
Visit the farm, pick berries and shop at the general store
2700 Pescadero Rd, Pescadero
(650) 879-0787
phippscountry.com

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Restaurants

All of the restaurants on the coast are suitable for children but choices marked with a * are especially easy…

Ketch Joanne *
17 Johnson Pier
Pillar Point Harbor
(650) 728-3747
www.ketchjoannerestaurant.com
A local hang out since 1975. Very casual, reasonable prices and good burgers. Take the kids on a walk on the dock after your meal. Located in the Princeton Harbor parking lot. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Take out available

Cameron's Pub, Restaurant and Inn *
1410 South Cabrillo Highway
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 726-5705
www.cameronsinn.com
Eat a burger and drink a pint while the kids run around and play video games. Fussy babies and loud kids welcome. Your dog can join you on the patio. Great kids menu.

The Half Moon Bay Brewing Company *
Open daily from 11:30 - 10 pm
390 Capistrano Rd.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 728-2739
www.hmbbrewingco.com
With a beautiful ocean view and a large patio overlooking the harbor the Brewing Co is a great place to enjoy a sunny afternoon. On a cold day you can snuggle around their fire pit or grab a table by the fireplace in the bar. Good kids menu. Ask to sit by the giant fish tank or in the bar by the Big Screen TV which is usually playing footage from Mavericks surf contest. Your dog can join you on the patio.

Barbara's Fish Trap *
281 Capistrano Rd
Princeton, CA 95970
(650) 728-7049
Casual sea food restaurant on the water. Great fish and chips and good kids menu. Your family can eat in the restaurant or pick up at the take out window and grab one of 5 or 6 picnic benches. Your dog is welcome to join you at a picnic table.

Chez Shea *
408 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 560-9234
www.chez-shea.com
Chez Shea offers fresh organic food with flavors from around the world. Very casual atmosphere. Chilequiles, Chile Relleno, Enchiladas and Shwarma are a few of our favorites. Our son loves to sit in the window seat as he slurps his butter noodles.

Café Classique *
107 Sevilla Ave
El Granada
(650) 726-9775
cafeclassique.com
7 days week, 4am-1:30pm
Coffee, pastries, breakfast dishes & sandwiches. Very casual. Our family likes to take a walk on the path by the harbor and then stop at Café Classique for breakfast. The patio has a lot of seating and they have water bowls and bones for your dog.

Flying Fish Grill
Main Street and Highway 92
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 712-1125
flyingfishgrill.net
Flying Fish Grill has outstanding chicken and fish tacos, along with a boatload of other great seafood at inexpensive prices. They've got indoor and outdoor seating, so they're great for kids and dogs. They even offer "Web-to-go", so you can order food online at home and have it waiting for you when you arrive at their "Web-to-go" window.

Sam's Chowder House
4210 North Cabrillo Highway (just south of Pillar Point Harbor)
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 712-0245
www.samschowderhouse.com
Right on the beach, great views and decks overlooking the harbor.

7th Street Montara *
171 7th St (at Highway 1)
Montara, CA, 94037
(650) 728-7966
Call for hours of operation.
One of the best breakfast spots on the coastside. They also serve up a great lunch and dinner menu and do fabulous takeout.

Moonside Bakery & Café *
604 Main St.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-9070
Open daily 7-5 (closed most holidays)
Moonside serves breakfast and lunch daily featuring salads, sandwiches and wood-fired pizza. They have a good kids menu and outdoor seating to enjoy lunch with your dog. Great cookies and cakes. They have a parking lot behind the building.

Harbor Pizza *
65 Alhambra Ave
El Granada
650-726-3501
Local pizza spot that delivers to Harbor Vista.

Café Gibraltar
425 Ave. Alhambra
El Granada
(650) 560-9039
www.cafegibraltar.com
Café Gibraltar is our favorite restaurant on the coast. Chef/Owner Jose Luis creates seasonal organic delights from the Mediterranean. We love to start with the Mezza Platter (a collection of spreads with flatbread) but you can't go wrong here. They have a children's menu (my son loves the butter Pasta) and there are always an assortments of vegetarian and vegan options.

Mezza Luna
459 Prospect Way
Princeton-by-the-Sea
(650) 728-8108
www.mezzalunabythesea.com

Pasta Moon
315 Main Street
Half Moon Bay
(650) 726-5125
www.pastamoon.com
Pasta Moon is one of the more romantic spots on the coast. This Italian restaurant features homemade pasta meat, game and fish paired with a large Italian wine list. The butternut squash & mascarpone ravioli is amazing. Reservations are recommended.

Cetrella Bistro
Mediterranean cuisine & live jazz
845 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, California 94019
Reservations and Information: 650-726-4090
www.cetrella.com
Lovely food & a fabulous wine list served in a romantic setting. Ask for a seat in front of the fire. The bar is a great place to eat from the more casual bar menu while listing to live jazz.
Please call or check website for music schedule

Dog Friendly Restaurants - see above for location and contact info

• Cameron's Pub, Restaurant and Inn - dogs are welcome on the patio
• The Half Moon Bay Brewing Company - dogs are welcome on the patio
• Barbara's Fish Trap - Your dog is welcome to join you at a picnic table.
• Flying Fish Grill - Outdoor patio is open to dogs.
• Sam's Chowder House

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Doctors, Hospitals and Pharmacies

In Case of Emergency please dial 911

Seton Medical Center Coastside
600 Marine Boulevard, Moss Beach
(650) 563-7100

Coastside Family Medical Center
225 S Cabrillo Hwy Suite 100, Half Moon Bay
(650) 712 - 7330

Half Moon Bay Veterinary Hospital
719 Main St, Half Moon Bay
(650) 726-9061

Rite AID Pharmacies
170 San Mateo Rd
(Safeway shopping center at the corner of HWY1 & 92)
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 726-2511

Longs Drugs
60 Cabrillo Hwy N at 92
Half Moon Bay
Phone: (650) 726-3345

Half Moon Bay Police Department
(650) 726-8288

San Mateo County Sheriff
(650) 573-2801

Poison Control Center
(800) 876-4766

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Grocery Stores

New Leaf
150 San Mateo Rd. (corner of Rt. 1 and 92)
Half Moon Bay, CA
Phone: (650) 726-3110
New Leaf Half Moon Bay is now open!
Hours 8am-9pm everyday.
http://www.newleaf.com/

Safeway
70 Cabrillo Hwy N
Half Moon Bay
(650) 726-1143

Cunha Country Grocery
767 Johnston St at Main
(650) 726-4071
Small local store with a nice deli and meat counter. Some organic options.

El Granada Market (1 mile)
401 Avenue, Alhambra
(650) 726-4618
Closest market with limited selection of food, liquor and sundries. Good for picking up snacks and beverages.

Riace Wine Tasting and Deli
225 Cabrillo Hwy S
Half Moon Bay
(650) 726-4343

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Wine

Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese
604 Main Street
Half Moon Bay
(650) 726-1520
www.hmbwineandcheese.com

Riace Wine Tasting and Deli
225 Cabrillo Hwy S
Half Moon Bay
(650) 726-4343

La Nebbia Winery
12341 San Mateo Road
Half Moon Bay
(650) 726-9463
www.lanebbiawinery.com

Offers tasting rooms in 2 Half Moon Bay locations.

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Music & Nightlife

Cameron's Pub, Restaurant and Inn
1410 South Cabrillo Highway Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 (650) 726-5705
www.cameronsinn.com
Cameron's has open mike every Thursday and karaoke once per month. Please call for schedule.

The Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
Open daily from 11:30 - 10 pm
390 Capistrano Rd.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 728-2739
www.hmbbrewingco.com
Call ahead for live music schedule

The Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society
Douglas Beach House
311 Mirada Road
Half Moon Bay
(650) 726-4143
www.bachddsoc.org
Live jazz, classical and world music. Sundays from 4-7. Call for tickets and schedule.

Cetrella Bistro
845 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, California 94019
Reservations and Information: 650-726-4090
www.cetrella.com
Offers live jazz on some Friday & Saturday nights. Call ahead for live music schedule

Kitchen and Cocktails at the Half Moon Bay Inn
401 Main St.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 560-9758
Occasionly offers Oktoberfest. Ladies night every Wedensday

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Other Useful Links

Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce
www.halfmoonbaychamber.org

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Contents copyright © 2007 Harbor Vista.