By Tim Jue / Beat Staff Writer

Downtown signs give you spots to see on Main Street in Half Moon Bay.

As far as seaside communities go, Half Moon Bay is the king of them all in the Bay Area. It’s a quiet city, nestled along the northern part of Pillar Point area and a quick 25 miles south of San Francisco along California’s picturesque Highway 1.

Half Moon Bay is unique in that it is located at the intersection of the two main thoroughfares which connect the San Mateo County coastline to all points north, south and east. It serves as a pivotal junction for folks living in Pescadero, San Gregorio and Montara who commute inland over the San Mateo County Mountains.

To get to the city from the north, you must navigate the harrowing twists and scenic sights of the Pacific Ocean via the highway’s Devil’s Slide; from the east, it’s a curvy adventure long Highway 92 past pumpkin patches (a favorite Fall destination for many folks), Christmas tree lots and the occasional roadside produce stand selling farm fresh strawberries, corn and apricots at rock-bottom prices from many of the local farms located south of the city.

The Garden Deli Cafe is one of Half Moon Bay's favorite lunchtime choices. Lines are frequently out the door on many days.

Once you’re within city limits, it’s a collection of modern strip malls and gas stations sprinkled along the intersection of Highways 1 and 92. But if you’re looking for the rustic old town feel that has placed this seaside community on the map, head to downtown Half Moon Bay along Main Street.

There, you’ll find a paradise of art galleries, independent book stores and antique shops dotting both sides of the street. Half Moon Bay has been known as a seaside retreat for artists and writers who wanted to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy city and the storefronts of its “main street” certainly reflects the creative roots of its population.

But if you can’t afford to bring home a piece of local artwork, you should definitely make a lunchtime pit stop at the Garden Deli Café, a popular sandwich shop where for $6, you can sink your teeth into a hearty pastrami sandwich on freshly baked Apple Olive bread.

Indicative of its local popularity, the noon-hour rush does get hectic at the deli, and there are instructional signs posted inside requesting customers to decide what they want before their turn at the counter. It’s a petite-sized place too, so get-in and get-out. No dilly-dallying please.

The old jail, erected in 1911, now stands as a history museum for the city.

After lunch, head south one block off Main Street to see two of Half Moon Bay’s historic landmarks – the old Methodist Church built in 1872, and the 1911 circa Half Moon Bay Jail.

The Church is still in active use, and Sunday services are still held every week.

Built in 1855, the Zaballa House is Half Moon Bay's oldest home still standing.

The double-cell jail, however, has been transformed into the city’s historical museum. Artifacts from the city’s past and old newspaper clippings declaring Half Moon Bay’s incorporation in 1959 are part of the exhibits in the rather quaint jail/ museum.

And all over the city there are pieces of the distant past intermixed with modern gallerias of local crafts and artwork. The Zaballa House, built in 1855 as Half Moon Bay’s oldest house still standing, is located next to boutique shops and a swanky café in a commercial shopping complex on Main Street. As to pay homage to its farming roots, the Half Moon Bay Feed & Fuel Co. store is located right across the street.

The interplay between the old and the new in Half Moon Bay really does serve to make the town a unique place to come see. If you’re looking for that independent spirit in a place that seems distant from the hustle and bustle of the Metropolitan Bay Area but is still within an hour’s drive of San Francisco, this is certainly the place to be.

Tips & Resources

Downtown Half Moon Bay: Google Map It!

Make the most of your visit by grabbing some sandwiches at the Garden Deli Cafe and heading out to the sandy beaches for a seaside picnic!