Peninsula city guide

Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay is a coastal city on the Pacific side of the Peninsula, separated from the bayside cities by the Santa Cruz Mountains, with agriculture, beaches, and a compact historic Main Street.

At a glance

  • Where it is: the San Mateo County coast, reached over the hills on State Route 92.
  • Known for: coastal bluffs, Pillar Point Harbor, the Coastside Trail, and the annual pumpkin festival.
  • The environment: small-town coastal, with working farms and nurseries at the edges.
  • What sets it apart: the marine climate and the mountain separation make daily life noticeably different from bayside Peninsula cities.

Housing character

  • Single-family homes across a range of ages, including older homes near Main Street.
  • Planned developments and condominium or townhome communities, several with HOAs.
  • Coastal and bluff-adjacent properties.
  • Homes on larger parcels in the unincorporated areas outside the city limits.

Places within Half Moon Bay

Downtown / Main Street
Older housing near the city's historic commercial street.
Ocean Colony
Planned community near the golf courses and the coastal bluff.
Miramar
Small beachside community north of the city.
El Granada / Princeton
Unincorporated coastal communities near Pillar Point Harbor.
Casa del Mar
Hillside neighborhood east of Highway 1 with ocean views.

Around town

  • Main Street shops, restaurants, and seasonal events.
  • Half Moon Bay State Beach and the Coastside Trail along the bluff.
  • Pillar Point Harbor with fishing boats, seafood, and the Mavericks surf break offshore.
  • Farms, nurseries, and roadside stands along Highway 1.
  • Coastal golf courses and the Ritz-Carlton bluff-top setting.

Getting around

  • State Route 92 crosses the hills to San Mateo — the main route to the bayside.
  • State Route 1 runs north to Pacifica and south along the coast.
  • No rail service; the nearest Caltrain stations are in San Mateo and Hillsdale.
  • SamTrans coastal bus routes.

What to check

  • State Route 92 and Highway 1 are major access routes. Storms and traffic can affect travel; check current conditions.
  • The marine layer means cooler, foggier weather than bayside cities — visit at different times of year.
  • Coastal bluff erosion and California Coastal Commission permitting rules apply to some properties.
  • Salt air noticeably increases exterior maintenance.
  • Commutes to Peninsula and Silicon Valley employment centers are substantially longer than from bayside cities.
  • Verify current transportation service, school assignment, permit requirements, hazard information, and total housing costs for the specific address.

Nearby guides

PacificaCoastal city just south of San Francisco, made up of several distinct beach and valley neighborhoods.WoodsideRural-residential town in the western hills with acreage, equestrian properties, and extensive trail networks.Redwood CityCentral Peninsula city with an active downtown, a wide mix of housing, and bayside Redwood Shores.San MateoMid-Peninsula city with Caltrain stations, a downtown district, and a mix of condos, houses, and hillside neighborhoods.