A Day in Half Moon Bay
This was our first time venturing to this part of the Bay Area and we both loved it. I was worried that it would be foggy and cold but the sun was shining and it turned out to be a gorgeous day.
After an hour of driving from the East Bay, the first thing we did was head to Half Moon Bay State Beach to get a look at the Pacific Ocean.
Beaches on the west coast are so much different than the east. They’re pretty to look at and all but I can barely take my sweater off, better yet get in the water. It’s way too cold.
By the way, did you spot the little furry head in the picture above? Half Moon Bay is known for being dog-friendly so we brought Coco along with us for the day.
One cool thing that we saw at the campgrounds on beach was a Blue Whale skull that was found entangled in a fishing net in 1988. The sign next to it said that Blue Whales are the largest of all living animals. Um yeah, it would have swallowed Coco up in one gulp!
We walked along the nearby coastal trail for a bit and then decided to grab a bite to eat at Moonside Bakery and Café.
The sandwiches were good but the cookies were AMAZING. Trail mix on the left and pumpkin on the right. You can bet I’ll be working on recreating those babies soon!
After lunch, we walked around the quaint downtown area and one of the shops we stopped at was an adorable garden store called Garden Apothecary. They welcomed us inside with Coco and I wanted to buy all the things. Instead I settled for a few potted herbs and a linen towel. :)
We stopped in another store for compost that they recommended and then drove about twenties minutes north for a steep hike overlooking Gray Whale Cove Beach. The views from here were absolutely breathtaking and reminded us somewhat of the drier parts of Maui.
If you peer off the side of the cliff, you are directly above the street. One wrong step towards the water and it would have been lights out!
From there we made our way down to the beach with Coco who was in desperate need of some rest. Technically dogs aren’t allowed on the beach but we spotted about ten other people with dogs so we figured it was okay. Besides, all she did was get hit by a wave and then plop down in the sand!
Our last stop before heading home was near the marina at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company. We grabbed a seat on their dog-friendly patio and I ordered a beer flight which Brandon said made me seem like I’m afraid of commitment. After a nine year relationship without a ring on my finger, I’d say that’s clearly not the case. ;)
Back at home we planted the new herbs in our patio garden along with the compost. I bought the basil plant earlier in the summer but we planted kale, swiss chard and romaine lettuce seeds about a month ago and are already starting to see some sprouts!
Growing your own food is exciting stuff. I can’t wait to have a yard and hopefully a real garden one day but for now, our patio garden will suffice.
I’m already contemplating a trip back to Half Moon Bay for their pumpkin festival next month. It’s supposed to be one of the largest in the world which means there will probably be a lot of traffic. I haven’t decided if it’s worth it yet, we’ll see.
And to end on a random note, a picture of Coco getting a bath:
She’s not a fan.
Tell me what you did for Labor Day!
I love Half Moon Bay. You should try eating at Sam’s next time, which is right on the water. I agree that all Northern California beaches are gorgeous, but super cold. Glad you had a nice weekend!
Sounds like an awesome day!
You totally should go check out the pumpkin festival at Half Moon Bay. I had my first giant pumpkin experience last year in Morgan Hill, and it was neat. A grower beat the Half Moon Bay world record for largest pumpkin – it was crazy! Wouldn’t you know that there’s some serious competition between the Bay Area pumpkin festivals?! I covered the event for the newspaper and the festival chairpeople kept making comments about wanting to beat Half Moon Bay. Ha!
I love half moon bay. Such a fun place to visit. I try to visit my friend Ali there once a year around October, but not for the pumpkin festival. I think the traffic would be nuts but it sounds super fun! I love that Half Moon Bay Brewery allows dogs, yet I’ve never brought Ryder. I need to do that and that hike you guys did! Sounds like a great day.
Hahha tell Brandon that a beer flight is just a way to try out different kindssssss.. I never think to order them but when I do I’m always pleased. I’m glad you guys had a nice day at the Bay and I’ll be totally pumped if you create one of those cookies! They look amazing.
haha the bath picture! Emma hatessss baths as well … she gives you these looks the entire time like why, why are you doing this to me??
Gorgeous pictures – sounds like a great time! And yes, please recreate those cookies because they look awesome and I’d like to eat one :)
Hahaha aw Coco looks a lot like Bella getting a bath- hates it!
Your pics always make me super jealous that you live in Cali. That whole day looks like perfection.
Beautiful! I can’t wait to have both water and mountains nearby. And a dog to hike with! :)
I spent the weekend in one of my favorite places on the east coast – the white mountains of New Hampshire. I think you guys would love it there, especially since it looks like you’re also a fan of the water and the mountains.
When I hear Half Moon Bay I think of that song by Train. :) Your photos really captured all the beauty.
This looks like so much fun! I think the Brewing company is a win. I love places that offer beer flights. Sometimes a girl just wants more than one flavor without having 4 beers!! Brandon is Silly!
I have yet to have a pumpkin cookie this year so I’m drooling over that one. I’m a bit of a pumpkin lover..scratch that.. addict! :) Glad you enjoyed yourselves.
That looks and sounds like such an awesome Labor day weekend! Sometimes I really wish I lived closer to the ocean! What a fun weekend trip, and those cookies look amazing! I can’t wait for your re-creations :) Unfortunately, I got a cold the day before Labor Day and spend most of the weekend in bed :( I think I need a trip to the beach soon to make up for it!
I’m sorry to hear about your cold Izzy! I hope you’re feeling better.
Looks like you had a great day. Good luck with your growing vegetables!
LOL! Coco’s face. Lando hates getting a bath. He fights it so much.
I haven’t been up to HMB in a while, though Eric and I did do a weekend there. Very nice and relaxing. Beautiful scenery.
I went to the Pumpkin Festival once before and have been wanting to go back. It’s huge, very crowded and traffic sucks, but it’s fun.
Glad you had a good time up that way.
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