Tara's Guidebook
Food scene
Old school tavern right in town- good place to grab drinks or cocktails at the bar, and they have a full food menu as well
59 locals recommend
Duarte's Tavern
202 Stage RdOld school tavern right in town- good place to grab drinks or cocktails at the bar, and they have a full food menu as well
Laid back restaurant located at Coastanoa Lodge. Organic & handcrafted ingredients. An especially good spot for brunch!
Cascade Bar & Grille
2001 Rossi RdLaid back restaurant located at Coastanoa Lodge. Organic & handcrafted ingredients. An especially good spot for brunch!
Laid back brewery with a full food menu & outdoor patio. Live music on Thursday nights (confirm hours/schedule)
9 locals recommend
Highway 1 Brewing Company
5720 CA-1Laid back brewery with a full food menu & outdoor patio. Live music on Thursday nights (confirm hours/schedule)
One of our favorite breweries, located in Half Moon Bay. Outdoor dining with fire pits. We love the fish & chips!
70 locals recommend
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
390 Capistrano RdOne of our favorite breweries, located in Half Moon Bay. Outdoor dining with fire pits. We love the fish & chips!
Pasta Moon
845 Main StTasty pasta and pizza, great for a dinner date in Half Moon Bay
A well-known spot in town to grab Mexican food with good tacos and burritos! There's an outdoor seating area or it's a good option for closeby takeout
9 locals recommend
Mercado & Taqueria De Amigos
1999 Pescadero Creek RdA well-known spot in town to grab Mexican food with good tacos and burritos! There's an outdoor seating area or it's a good option for closeby takeout
Small in-town market, well known for their delicious artichoke bread! They also have a deli where you can grab some custom made sandwiches. Good spot to grab what you need for a beach picnic
19 locals recommend
ARCANGELI GROCERY CO/NORMS MARKET
287 Stage RdSmall in-town market, well known for their delicious artichoke bread! They also have a deli where you can grab some custom made sandwiches. Good spot to grab what you need for a beach picnic
The Sunshine
213 Stage RoadCute store to grab some snacks & other fun items
Eclectic coffee shop in downtown Pescadero with vintage items to check out. Indoor & outdoor seating. On the weekends they usually serve up frozen yogurt and/or ice cream
16 locals recommend
Downtown Local
213 Stage RdEclectic coffee shop in downtown Pescadero with vintage items to check out. Indoor & outdoor seating. On the weekends they usually serve up frozen yogurt and/or ice cream
Quaint place to grab a bite. Delicious bakery, on-tap beers, and a full food menu. They also have delicious chicken pot pies you can bring back to bake!
7 locals recommend
Loma Mar Store & Kitchen
8150 Pescadero Creek RdQuaint place to grab a bite. Delicious bakery, on-tap beers, and a full food menu. They also have delicious chicken pot pies you can bring back to bake!
About 40 minutes away, a great grocery store if you want to stock up for cooking in the cabin. Closeby there's also a Safeway, CVS, and numerous other restaurants & stores
56 locals recommend
New Leaf Community Markets
150 San Mateo RdAbout 40 minutes away, a great grocery store if you want to stock up for cooking in the cabin. Closeby there's also a Safeway, CVS, and numerous other restaurants & stores
Popular waterfront restaurant in Half Moon Bay. There is often a fairly long wait time, depending on the time of day. You can also make reservations & grab takeout
98 locals recommend
Sam's Chowder House
4210 CA-1Popular waterfront restaurant in Half Moon Bay. There is often a fairly long wait time, depending on the time of day. You can also make reservations & grab takeout
A popular spot in Woodside, serving up food and drinks in a rustic cabin
65 locals recommend
Alice's Restaurant
17288 Skyline BlvdA popular spot in Woodside, serving up food and drinks in a rustic cabin
Mezza Luna Restaurant
459 Prospect WayGreat Italian spot in Half Moon Bay
Pick your own berries or swing into the store to buy delicious strawberries, jams, and other treats
35 locals recommend
Swanton Berry Farm
25 Swanton RdPick your own berries or swing into the store to buy delicious strawberries, jams, and other treats
Pie Ranch
2080 CA-1Small bakery with some tasty sweet treats
Fun spot for Oaxacan food in Santa Cruz. About a 45-50 minute drive south of us, with beautiful scenery and views of the coast along the way
Copal Restaurant
Fun spot for Oaxacan food in Santa Cruz. About a 45-50 minute drive south of us, with beautiful scenery and views of the coast along the way
Sightseeing
Close by farm with delicious cheese & other goodies in the store. Also a fun spot to see some cute goats!
46 locals recommend
Harley Farms Goat Dairy
205 North StClose by farm with delicious cheese & other goodies in the store. Also a fun spot to see some cute goats!
A beautiful stop while driving along the coast! It's a working lighthouse, built in 1871
23 locals recommend
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Pigeon Point RoadA beautiful stop while driving along the coast! It's a working lighthouse, built in 1871
Pescadero Beach
Close-by beach, great for sunsets and enjoying coastal views
Beautiful beach with an out and back 1.5 mile trail. Look for harbor seals hanging out in the water!
11 locals recommend
Bean Hollow State Beach
New Years Creek RoadBeautiful beach with an out and back 1.5 mile trail. Look for harbor seals hanging out in the water!
Great state park with a beautiful trail. A prime spot for viewing elephant seals depending on the time of year. Check out the babies that are born in the spring if you’re here then!
88 locals recommend
Ano Nuevo State Park
Great state park with a beautiful trail. A prime spot for viewing elephant seals depending on the time of year. Check out the babies that are born in the spring if you’re here then!
One of our favorite trails in Half Moon Bay, with sweeping views of the coastal cliffs
Cowell-Purisima Coastal Trailhead
18501 Cabrillo Highway SouthOne of our favorite trails in Half Moon Bay, with sweeping views of the coastal cliffs
We love browsing the unique mix of items sold at this general store. Live music on the weekends- make sure to check their schedule for details. They also have drinks and snacks to enjoy while sitting outside
32 locals recommend
San Gregorio General Store
7615 Stage RdWe love browsing the unique mix of items sold at this general store. Live music on the weekends- make sure to check their schedule for details. They also have drinks and snacks to enjoy while sitting outside
A harbor in Half Moon Bay with boats selling fresh fish and crab (what's available depends on the time of year). The harbor is closeby to numerous restaurants as well and a fun spot to visit
23 locals recommend
Pillar Point Harbor
A harbor in Half Moon Bay with boats selling fresh fish and crab (what's available depends on the time of year). The harbor is closeby to numerous restaurants as well and a fun spot to visit
Pretty beach with views of Pillar Point Lighthouse- a great place for tide pooling! Across the street from Highway 1 Brewery
Gazos Creek State Beach
Pretty beach with views of Pillar Point Lighthouse- a great place for tide pooling! Across the street from Highway 1 Brewery
Great spot to hike and enjoy the redwoods. Some trails are currently closed due to fire damage (check the maps at the park)
21 locals recommend
Butano State Park
1500 Cloverdale RdGreat spot to hike and enjoy the redwoods. Some trails are currently closed due to fire damage (check the maps at the park)
Memorial County Park
9500 Pescadero Creek RdAnother spot for hiking amongst the redwoods
West of Santa Cruz with miles of trails for hiking & biking. Stunning views and beach access
219 locals recommend
Wilder Ranch State Park
1401 Coast RdWest of Santa Cruz with miles of trails for hiking & biking. Stunning views and beach access
Book in advance if you're interested in doing some whale watching while you're here! About 1.5 hours south of us
17 locals recommend
Sea Goddess Whale Watching
7881 Sandholdt RdBook in advance if you're interested in doing some whale watching while you're here! About 1.5 hours south of us