Hi, my family and I are heading to Half Moon Bay tomorrow and we'd like some suggestions! We are hoping to go to a great beach, go downtown and walk around, and eat some yummy food.
What do you suggest?
Barbara's FishTrap is an old family favorite. My mom and day used to go there so it has been there forever. Great clam chowder and cod fish and chips. Crowded, but worth the wait. It is in Princeton-by-the-Sea, just a bit up coast from Half Moon Bay.
Go get lunch from Cunas Market....they have the best deli in town...then enjoy lunch on the beach.
I second Barbara's Fish Trap...it's a little expensive, but a good tip is their portions or BIG so you can feed four on two plates!
Don't go to Barbara's .. it's gone downhill .. Went there about a year ago and it was so dreadful.... (and in my opinion) not the cleanest place in town.. Had the Salmon .. and it was the worst ever.. I am from the Bay Area, so I know good (and in that case) bad seafood when I have it...... BLAH........
There is the Princeton Seafood Company and they have a little window where you can grab an ice cream and walk the beach path. it goes on for a long time.. good for walking, biking , scooters... it's basically flat for the most part.. IF you decide to walk the trail, wear layer clothing. it's deceiving... it can appear all foggy but once it burns off, the trail can get downright hot.. wear sunscreen..
Personally, I would consider packing a lunch and taking it to the beach..
However, Sam's Chowder House isn't bad in the sense that IF you were to order fish, it would be fresh... The desserts (in particular the Key Lime Pie) was pretty good.. It's very pricey though and might be rather busy on a Father's Day (check online reservations) .. IF you do go there.. try and eat in the MAIN room.. the back room didn't feel as fun.. (esp if they have live music) you can't hear it too well back there... I call that part of the restaurant, the forgotten room............ :)
About downtown HMB........... ummm. very cute.. my cousin (and not my opinion) says the pizza restaurant, It's Italia is good..... she eats out a lot.. not sure I agree.. but so as not to be too biased :)
Mostly we go down there to walk the beach path , grab a coffee at the little cafe located on part of the trail and then come back to the city and grab a burrito (La Cornetta) on Mission Street between 23 and 24th.... that's our favorite place..
good luck and have fun!!
Our favorite beach: Roosevelt State Beach (Just north of 92) $10 parking fee. If interested, there's a great walking/bike path up on the bluffs all along the HMB State Beaches area that's great for family bike rides. There are wooden bridges to ride over and entrances to beaches all along it. Super fun!
Horseback riding right near there too.
I'm not super familiar with family friendly downtown eats but the Half Moon Bay Brewing Co (right across from Barbara's) in Pillar Point Harbor is good to sit outside and enjoy the scenery. (Note: the wait for outside tables is always WAY shorter than what they tell you.)
You can also stroll the harbor docks and buy fish & crab fresh off the boats for great prices if you want to take some fresh seafood home.
Up Hwy 1 a little further in Moss Beach is a great place for Tide Pooling (and seal/sea lion viewing) called Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Free parking.
There's also the Moss Beach Distillery. Great outdoor patio that helps justify the overpriced food.
Downtown HMB has cute shops, including a really fun kids clothing store.
