A Visit to the Half Moon Bay Inn on the Pacific Coast Near San Francisco
Posted: Tuesday, April 26, 2011
by Wayne and Judy Bayliff
the2writers.com
Take one historic building constructed during the Great Depression and add some creative ingenuity and you just might come up with the likes of the fabulous Half Moon Bay Inn.
It was not so long ago that visitors to the quiet coastal town of Half Moon Bay would have paid little attention to the tatty bar on the corner of Main and Mill streets. Few would have bothered to peer into the neighboring doorway that was the entrance to the tired second floor walkup apartments. The windows of the rooms above were accented by dim inner lights and tattered coverings – sadly suggestive of the hard times within.Something special in a small luxury hotel
The Half Moon Bay Inn building was constructed in 1932 in the Spanish Revival style. The Barber’s have taken great pains to restore the structure to its original character and to preserve important features such as the inspired marble tiled stairway that leads to the upper sleeping rooms.
The 15 remodeled rooms and suites are individually dressed like characters in a colorful play. They are all very different in appearance. Be sure to check out the pictures of each room on the Inn’s website (listed below). One of the most interesting rooms, the Hacienda Familia is fully ADA compliant.
The various creative interiors pull you into nostalgic times and places, but the journey is tastefully blended with an upbeat ambience of contemporary luxury and style. There is obviously a gauged strategy here to achieve a sense of informality while pampering each lodger with the finest in bath amenities, linens, and bedding. Other up to date details include a flat screen TV and free internet connectivity.
The transformation was complete in late 2010 with the addition of a new hotel lobby on Main Street.The Half Moon Bay Inn is a multi-faceted boutique hotel with historic charm that is perfect for a romantic getaway, or a base for exploring the northern California coast. For more information about the Half Moon Bay Inn check out their website at http://halfmoonbayinn.com/or call 650.726.1177
Did we mention that Jamie is a dog lover? Whatever the size, your pooch will be welcome at the Inn. Call ahead for details.
Attractions in the area
There is much to do in this oceanside playground. For starters, you can walk along miles of sandy shoreline and explore the interesting sea life in the tidal pools when the ocean ebbs. You will also find an abundance of state and regional parks all along picturesque California Highway 1.
There is a small airport in Half Moon Bay that is very near the world famous "Mavericks" surf site with its seasonal 50-foot waves that bring the best of the best professional surfers to compete against the tempest. If the big waves aren’t present it’s always fun to watch the locals try their hand at riding the mini-Mavericks.
Everyone will enjoy a stroll on the nearby Johnson's commercial fishing pier where you can watch the boats unload their daily catch. Keep an eye on the water near the fishing boats for sightings of playful harbor seals.
Window browsers and serious shoppers alike will love the many boutiques along Main Street – all very near the Half Moon Bay Inn.
Half Moon Bay Golf Links provides 36 championship holes of golf with the wide Pacific as a backdrop. Select from either the Old Course or the Ocean Course, and prepare for a challenge in a beautiful and breathtaking setting.
Half Moon Bay is also famous for its annual Pumpkin Festival that is held every October.
For the foodies, the area is chock-full of worthwhile eating establishments. The old dark bar below the Half Moon Bay Inn is now the site of the It’s Italia Italian restaurant. We did not have an opportunity to sample the faire, but judging by the crowd, the food must be very good.
Half Moon Bay is everybody’s idyllic image of a small coastal California town. It is a very special place that we visit often. If you are in the area, be sure to drop by and discover why it is so popular with tourists from around the world.
If you go
Half Moon Bay is located 25 miles south of San Francisco on scenic California Highway 1.
Happy travels!
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