The San Francisco Peninsula, positioned between San Francisco to the north and San Jose to the south, is often called one of the most scenic drives in the U.S. A road trip of this portion of coastal California covers 18 cities, 60 miles along the coast, and 30 miles on the bay side.
On this visit to the San Francisco Peninsula, along with fellow travel writers, I explored the small-town charms of two coastal communities just a short drive from the City by the Bay — Pacifica and Half Moon Bay.
Pacifica — A Coastal Gem
The small town of Pacifica is only 12 miles south of San Francisco, but it feels like a world away. Fishing and Dungeness crabbing on the 1,140-foot Pacifica Municipal Pier is free; no fishing license required. Surfers and families are attracted to Linda Mar State Beach, while hikers are drawn to Devil’s Slide Trail, high above the Pacific Ocean. The 2.8-mile paved trail is part of the California Coastal Trail. It will eventually extend 1,200 miles from Oregon to Mexico. In the springtime, wildflowers cover fields overlooking the ocean at Mori Point, a rugged coastal promontory.
Taco Bell Cantina in Pacifica (Credit: Taco Bell)
We passed the Taco Bell on Pacifica State Beach on the way to our first stop. The Pacifica location has been called “the most beautiful Taco Bell in the world.” It opened in the 1980s but was revamped and reopened in 2019 as a Taco Bell Cantina. The restaurant is one of a growing number of Cantinas in the fast-food franchise that serve alcohol. The Pacifica Taco Bell Cantina gained media attention in 2021 as the site of a wedding reception.
And here’s another bit of trivia about Pacifica. What is now known as Monterey Jack Cheese was originally created in Pacifica. Visit the Pacifica Coastside Museum in the Little Brown Church Building, where you may even be able to buy Pacifica’s version of the cheese.
Our First Stop: Rosalind Bakery
Our day began in Pacifica with a stop for coffee and pastries at Rosalind Bakery. It’s located just off Highway 1, a block from the ocean.
Its founder, Matthew Kosoy, named the bakery after his grandmother, Rosalind.
Read more about it in Jo Clark’s article: Rosalind Bakery in Pacifica: Treats from a Geek.
Half Moon Bay — Pumpkin Capital of the World
After leaving Pacifica, we continued 15 miles south on Highway 1 to Half Moon Bay, known as the Pumpkin Capital of the World. One of its most popular annual events is the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival, held in October.
Our Second Stop: Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm
Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm, one of several pumpkin patches in the area, was our next stop. Here, visitors can pick out a pumpkin, take a hayride, hide in a haystack, stroll through a sunflower field, or pose with an antique John Deere tractor.
In addition to pumpkins, find fresh produce and berries at one of several area U-Pick farms and roadside farm stands. Farmers grown Brussels sprouts in abundance here. Coastside Farmers Markets are open April-December in both Pacifica and Half Moon Bay.
Read more about it in Robin Smith’s article: Fall Fun at Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay — A Surfing Destination
A large part of Half Moon Bay’s economy is related to agriculture. However, it is also known for its great beaches and as a surfing destination. When winter storms increase wave action, the annual Mavericks Big Wave surfing competition is held here from November through March. An underwater canyon is just offshore, outside Pillar Point Harbor. It can create waves up to 30 feet. Mavericks is one of only a few “big wave” break locations worldwide.
Half Moon Bay — A Dining and Shopping Destination
Half Moon Bay’s Main Street is a charming collection of shops, galleries, and restaurants, worthy of a stop before returning to the city. If time allows, take a self-guided walking tour of Half Moon Bay’s historic Main Street.
A Lunch to Remember at Fattoria e Mare
Our final stop was at Fattoria e Mare (Farm and Sea in Italian), in downtown Half Moon Bay. Chef/Owner Pablo Estrada takes pride in crafting menus that emphasize seafood, utilizing the freshest local ingredients.
We settled in to begin sampling multiple courses paired with wines from family-owned Barterra Winery. Barterra’s tasting room is next door, so plan to stop in for a tasting or to take a bottle home after your meal.
Read more about our lunch at Fattoria e Mare on Half Moon Bay in this article by Julie Suman and Michele Baker.
Ready to extend your stay?
If we could have extended our stay, there were plenty of accommodation choices to consider. Luxury-lovers can plan to stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay situated on a cliff, with a full spa overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Two championship golf courses surround it.
Or, how about staying next to a historic lighthouse in more basic accommodations? For example, Hosteling International’s Point Montara quarters offer both private and shared rooms. The U.S. Coast Guard still uses the lighthouse as an aid to navigation. Find more accommodations by city at this link.
I was one of a group of International Food, Wine, Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) members hosted by The San Francisco Peninsula.
Debbra Dunning Brouillette’s website can be found at Tropical Travel Girl.
