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The hectic pace of everyday life makes it hard to do it all: rest, rejuvenate, exercise, clear your mind, reconnect. A few days in or a week in Half Moon Bay encompasses a beach vacation with mountains and redwoods, historic coastal culture and romance in an active or leisurely setting. Here are some suggestions.
 Day 1
Settle in: Take your pick of comfy home away from homes. Downtown's charming and historic
San Benito House offers an intimate B&B like experience and immediate access to downtown's shopping and dining, which is located right outside the door. Just three blocks off downtown's Main Street and walking distance from the beach is Holiday Inn Express, an excellent choice for anyone looking for squeaky-clean accommodations and small-motel charm.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is the spot for the ultimate splurge, and perks like an on-site gourmet restaurant, spa, gym, tennis courts, golf, and all the luxuries associated with the world-class hotel group.
Catch sunset and join locals for happy hour cocktails at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company: Relax into the casual coastal lifestyle with a cold house-brewed beer such as their Mavericks Amber Ale or Pillar Point Pale Ale, watch the sun dip beyond the Pacific Ocean horizon, and pat yourself on the back for starting off right.
Have dinner at Navio:The Ritz-Carlton's dining room celebrates the best of the region with a handsome wood-accented room and showcasing the ocean through picture-windows and local coastal ingredients through the likes of salmon with Artichokes, confit potatoes and veal sweet breads or braised short ribs with local beans, potato puree and Bordelaise sauce.
Day 2
Kick off the day with a decadent breakfast: If you're not dining at your hotel, take a short drive to 3-Zero Café. Located across from the tiny Half Moon Bay Airport virtually every breakfast craving, biscuits and gravy to French toast to any type of omelette you want.
Go tide pooling: The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, a natural refuge for plants and animals adapted to live at the edge of the ocean, is a prime spot for climbing around on sometimes-submerged rocks during low tide, peeking into pools, and spotting see blue-green anemones, coralline algae, crabs, and starfish.
Do lunch downtown: Keep it light so you can feast for dinner by heading to historic Main Street for a sumptuous sandwich at
San Benito House Deli. After savoring their homemade bread at a garden picnic table or within the old-fashion dining room, meander down Main Street to browse the boutiques, galleries, and antique shops.
Relax for the afternoon, perhaps taking a stroll or reading a book at one of the area's
beaches.
Dine at Pasta Moon, an outstanding restaurant in historic downtown that's famed for its warm atmosphere, wood-oven-roasted pizzas and chicken, and handmade pasta- -all of which celebrate the area's fresh local organic bounty.
Day 3
Grab a cup of coffee and a house-made pastry at family-owned Moonside Bakery & Café.
Go whale watching: If you're in town December through May you can climb aboard a comfortable and large boat and head out to get a close-up glimpse of migrating gray whales during a whale-watching cruise. It's not only memorable to watch these majestic mammals breech and splash their tails, but also to be out on the beautiful Pacific Ocean. If you're in town during the rest of the year, skip the cruise and go straight to the next activity.
 Take a scenic drive up Highway 92. Along the inland road you can explore an amazing number of
farms and nurseries or head to local wineries where you can taste exceptional Northern and Central California wines within delightfully rural settings.
Dine at Café Gibraltar: Join the locals at this out-of-the-way destination restaurant where Mediterranean cuisine meets local coastal ingredients. Settle in at a table or go for one of the back low-tables where you can recline on pillows and indulge in extremely creative seasonal offerings.
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