Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay is a city in San Mateo County on the California Pacific coast, south of San Francisco. The town includes several beaches and a harbor where fishing boats moor throughout the year.

The settlement began in the 1840s as a farming outpost for Mission San Francisco de Asís. It was incorporated as a city in 1959 and evolved from agriculture to a coastal residential community.

The old downtown preserves some of its earlier names and buildings that recall its farming past. Many families use the beaches and coastal trails for weekend walks.

Visitors can buy fresh fish directly from local fishermen at Pillar Point Harbor on the northern edge. Most beaches are accessible through small parking areas along the coastal road.

The climate brings mild temperatures throughout the year, while significant rainfall falls between November and April. These conditions have shaped the farming and coastal nature of the area.

Location: San Mateo County

Shares border with: Pacifica

Website: http://half-moon-bay.ca.us

GPS coordinates: 37.45889,-122.43694

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:40