At the corner of Purissima and Kelly Avenue in the late 1800s you’d find the grand Occidental Hotel, a majestic three-story structure, welcoming travelers heading to San Gregorio, Monterey, or the resort town of Pescadero for hunting and fishing. The name “Occidental,” popular among hotels of the era, symbolized the westward journey and the allure of the setting sun. Tragically, in 1894, a devastating fire destroyed the Occidental Hotel and much of Main Street. The hotel was rebuilt, though this time with only two stories. During World War II, it served as barracks for troops stationed on the Coastside. The building was eventually demolished, and today, an insurance office occupies the corner of Purissima and Kelly, in a building that once housed the Half Moon Bay post office.
Fast forward to 2024, and the corner of Purissima and Mill Street has been transformed with the recreation of the Occidental Hotel. This new building, with its authentic Western façade, harkens back to the town’s storied past. Construction began in 2021, with community leaders and history enthusiasts celebrating the groundbreaking. The new Occidental will house classrooms for College of San Mateo students on the first floor and apartments above. As you stroll through this area, you can still glimpse remnants of the past, like the historic Gianini House and the spot where the old stagecoach drivers once rested. Half Moon Bay, with its blend of history and modernity, remains a unique intersection of past, present, and future.