The Half Moon Bay Coastside is the perfect place for a romantic getaway, whether you’re visiting for Valentine’s day or any other time of year. Here are some of our favorite ways to spend time with the special person in your life.
stroll Along the beach
The stunning vistas of the Coastside make this an ideal spot for a long romantic walk along the water. Half Moon Bay State Beach has over 2 miles of flat sandy beaches with ample parking and easy access for all, making it a great place to feel the sand between your toes. Or explore one of a dozen other area parks, including remote pocket beaches and tide pools teeming with life.
If a walk on the beach isn’t for you, you can explore miles of paved Coastal Trail on bikes instead – Bike Works and Half Moon Bay Kayak Company both have rentals available. Or head to SeaHorse Ranch and experience the beach on horseback with a guided trail ride along the blufftops and onto the beach.
Pamper Yourself
After a long walk on the beach, relax with a decadent couples massage at one of the many Coastside spas. The Beach House offers several styles of massage, as well as Reiki and Private Yoga sessions. Spa services at at the Oceano Coastal Spa include Accupressure, Tui Na, and a whole range of traditional massage techniques, as well as therapeutic baths in one of their deep-soaking tubs.
The spa at the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay features luxurious spa experiences year-round, and during the month of February offers a special Valentine’s Day Couples Massage complete with rose petals and rosé. Or head to Harmonies Salon on Main Street for their Aqua Detox, a detoxification foot spa said to increase vitality and energy levels, or opt for a more traditional massage designed to meet your individual needs.
romantic dinner for two
The Half Moon Bay area is home to so many great dining experiences that you’re going to want to stay in town for at least a few days. If you’re looking for romantic ocean views, Miramar Beach Restaurant serves up steak and seafood right on the edge of the Pacific, while Moss Beach Distillery dishes California coastal cuisine perched on a cliff above scenic Seal Cove. And Navio at the Ritz-Carlton offers an ocean-to-table seafood menu that pairs perfectly with their stunning location.
Head into the harbor for even more waterfront eateries, like Sam’s Chowder House, famous for their lobster rolls, and Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, where the Portuguese Fisherman’s Stew is a local favorite. Also in the harbor, Mezzaluna is known for their southern Italian standards, while Old Princeton Landing and Ketch Joanne serve up more casual fare with plenty of local charm.
If you’re staying in Half Moon Bay, you’ll find more than a dozen outstanding downtown restaurants in easy walking distance. It’s impossible to cover all of the tasty local cuisine in one article, so explore our full restaurant listings for all that the Half Moon Bay Coastside has to offer.
Enjoy a Glass of Wine
With Half Moon Bay’s rich history of agriculture, it’s no wonder the area is home to a number of vineyards, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to sip wine with your sweetheart. The drive through the redwoods to Thomas Fogarty Winery, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains above Half Moon Bay, is a fantastic day trip, and along the route, be sure to stop at the tasting room of La Nebbia, Half Moon Bay’s oldest bonded winery.
Near the harbor, Trojak-Knier specializes in hand-crafted wines that have been lauded at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Or head downtown to discover the award-winning wines of Barterra Winery, then stroll up Main Street to Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese and Vinoteca, local wine bars with their own carefully curated collections of vino.
See our complete guide to wine tasting in Half Moon Bay for more information about Coastside wineries and wine rooms, as well as local breweries and distilleries.
Stay in Style
The Half Moon Bay area offers lodging to fit every taste and budget, from luxury oceanfront resorts to charming inns and affordable motels. Downtown, the Half Moon Bay Inn, Mill Rose Inn, and Nantucket Whale Inn offer boutique lodging expereinces right on Main Street with easy access to local restaurants and shops. Further north, the Beach House, Harbor View Inn, and Oceano Hotel all overlook Pillar Point Harbor and put you in easy walking distance of food and shopping along the waterfront. Best Western Plus-Cameron’s Inn is the most recent addition to area lodging, offering 46 spacious rooms, many with views of the Coastal Mountains & the historic Johnston House. Find the perfect accommodations for your visit on our lodging page.
