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City guide

Half Moon Bay, California

Half Moon Bay is a coastal city in San Mateo County, California, United States, approximately 25 miles south of San Francisco. Its population was 11,795 as of the 2020 census.

Type CityPopulation 11,795

Why go

  • City in California, United States.
  • Served by Half Moon Bay Airport (HAF).

History

Half Moon Bay is a coastal city in San Mateo County, California, United States, approximately 25 miles south of San Francisco. Its population was 11,795 as of the 2020 census. Immediately north of Half Moon Bay is Pillar Point Harbor and the unincorporated community of Princeton-by-the-Sea. Half Moon Bay is known for Mavericks, a big-wave surf location. It is called Half Moon Bay because of its crescent shape.

Airports

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) 11 mi to the centre
San Francisco, CA 94128 — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 42 airlines (United Airlines, Virgin America, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines…) · direct flights to 104 destinations incl. Atlanta, London, Los Angeles, New York, Seoul… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 42 airlines, 104 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Oakland International Airport (OAK) 21 mi to the centre
Oakland, CA, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 12 airlines (Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airways, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines…) · direct flights to 34 destinations incl. Honolulu, Kahului, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 12 airlines, 34 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
San Carlos Airport (SQL) 11 mi to the centre
San Carlos, CA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Palo Alto Airport (PAO) 18 mi to the centre
Palo Alto, CA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Moffett Federal Airfield (NUQ) 22 mi to the centre
Mountain View, CA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Half Moon Bay Airport (HAF) 4.9 mi to the centre
Half Moon Bay, CA, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Half Moon Bay Airport (HAF). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Half Moon Bay, California. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Charter, shared flights · Light to large-cabin via partner fleet · Vista Global's on-demand charter and by-the-seat shared flights, app-based.
Semi-private scheduled · Embraer 135/145, 30 seats · Scheduled "hop-on" jet service from private terminals in the western US and Texas — no TSA lines.
Fractional, jet card · Cessna Citation, Embraer Phenom, Bombardier Challenger & Global · The largest private-jet operator in the world; fractional shares and the NetJets card, US and Europe.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Jet card, charter · Partner fleet · Jet cards and on-demand charter from Boston.