Okay, you may not actually faint or be overwhelmed with ecstatic joy at the sight of Half Moon Bay or San Gregorio Lagoon.  I was perhaps a bit hyperbolic (and it rhymed!).   Nonetheless, I think you will at the very least be charmed by this lovely area.  Half Moon Bay conjures up images of a peaceful bay with celestial light reflecting on rippling ocean waves.  It is this and so much more.  Located just 25 miles south of San Francisco and 91 miles north of Monterey, it is an area full of history, natural beauty, and fun shops. 

The Art & Pumpkin Festival

It is also home to the famous annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival.  This event started in 1971 and is one of the oldest and largest festivals in California, attracting more than 200,000 visitors each year in October.  It features all things pumpkin, including pie, pancakes, bread, cheesecake, sausages and ice cream.  There is a costume contest, a pie-eating contest, and other fun activities for all ages.  There are also arts and crafts featuring local artisans and live musical talent.  The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off brings pumpkin farmers from all over the country.  In 2018, a man from Oregon won the contest for the fourth time with a behemoth pumpkin weighing 2,170 pounds, the second heaviest pumpkin ever entered in the contest.

History of Half Moon Bay

During the 1700s, a Spanish Mission used the area as grazing land for cattle, horses, and oxen.  It did not officially become a town until the 1840s.  Its original name was “San Benito”, followed by “Spanishtown”.  It was renamed Half Moon Bay in 1874.  Today, you can still see historic buildings built during the 1800s in the downtown area.  An interesting anecdote about Half Moon Bay is that it was used by “rum runners” during Prohibition due to its profusion of numerous hidden coves and its consistently dense fog.

Beaches and Surfing at Half Moon Bay

 There are several state beaches at Half Moon Bay including Surfers’ Beach, Dunes Beach, Venice Beach, and Francis Beach.  The water is extremely cold and windy, and the weather often foggy, rendering it an unpleasant place to sunbathe or wade except during the warmer months in early fall.    If you are a surfer with a wetsuit, however, this place is the cat’s meow.  At the north edge of Half Moon Bay, off Pillar Point, is a famous surfing area, the Mavericks.  Here, waves cresting 50 feet or more draw world famous surfers.  

Other Recreational Activities

If you are not into surfing, there is a scenic oceanfront trail running from Pillar Point Harbor to southern Half Moon Bay.  There are also opportunities to go sea kayaking or paddle boarding.   You can also take whale-watching tours here.

History of San Gregorio State Beach

San Gregorio State Beach lies just 11 miles south of Half Moon Bay.  The area is historically significant because Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portola camped here in the 1700s during a failed expedition to reach Monterey Bay.  He and his crew eventually headed north to discover San Francisco Bay.  Today, it is a great place to hang out and enjoy the gorgeous coastal views, have lunch, or hike on the many trails winding along the ocean’s edge.   Numerous picnic tables and restrooms are available here.  Be aware that dogs are not allowed as the beach is a nesting habitat for the shrinking population of western snowy plovers.  Hours are daily from 8 am to sunset.

Importance of the Lagoon

The San Gregorio Creek forms a freshwater lagoon and was originally a coho salmon spawning site.  Today, juvenile steelhead in the lagoon undergo a process called “smolting”, which enables them to prepare for life in the open sea.  During the winter, the sandbar separating the lagoon from the ocean washes away and the matured steelhead swim out to sea.

Helpful Links:  Pumpkin Festival, Half Moon Bay, San Gregorio

I hope you enjoy Half Moon Bay and San Gregorio Lagoon as much as I did!  Wishing you love, peace, happiness, & beautiful vistas!