Just 30-minutes south of San Francisco is the cozy coastal town of Half Moon Bay – the perfect place to escape with your best four-legged friend. Half Moon Bay is a hidden gem of the Bay Area. If you have never visited this great community, pack up your car and your dog right now and go!
For starters, the area offers several dog friendly beaches, including Poplar Beach and Half Moon Bay State Beach, where you can have a picnic and spend the afternoon just tossing a ball around. If you’re looking for lots of interaction with others dogs and dog people, stop by Half Moon Bay Dog Park off Wavecrest Road. This completely community-supported and -funded park has been open since 2001 and is a great canine meeting place.
For a beautiful walk with dogs, the famous Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail, which traces the “half-moon” of Half Moon Bay, is a must. The seven-mile scenic stretch is ideal for running, biking, or a leisurely stroll. On-leash dogs are welcome.
No dog should be left home when you travel overnight to Half Moon Bay. Bring your pooch and stay at one of the many dog-friendly motels and hotels in the area. One fabulous choice is The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, Bay Woof’s 2014 winner of the Beast of the Bay Award for Best Dog-friendly Lodgings.
Order up the Posh Pooch package and your stay will include luxury accommodations in the resort’s pet-friendly guest houses, a plush doggy bed, a Ritz-Carlton water bowl, a special chew toy, a gourmet welcome treat, one epicurean item from the Chef’s Pampered Pooch menu, and a “woof” privacy sign to alert staff to the presence of your furry roommate. When you book the Posh Pooch package, $10 will be donated to the Peninsula Humane Society in your pooch’s name.
For those on tight budgets, there are plenty of other dog-friendly lodging options in the area, including Comfort Inn, Day’s Inn, Half Moon Bay Inn, and Holiday Inn Express. (It’s always wise to call ahead to make a reservation, in case rooms where dogs are welcome are all booked up.)
If you’re lucky enough to be in town at the right time, you can attend the Ritz-Carlton’s monthly Yappy Hour (see Bay Woof’s events calendar for details), where dogs and dog lovers gather on the Ocean Lawn from 5 to 8 pm for schmoozing and sniffing. Each month features a different theme. April 24 will be an Easter Celebration and canines are encouraged to dress the part, so pull out those bunny ears and flower-laden doggy bonnets. Once again, a portion of the proceeds are donated to Peninsula Humane Society. (Note, you don’t have to be staying at The Ritz-Carlton to attend its monthly Yappy Hours.)
Many restaurants and bars in Half Moon Bay welcome dogs with al fresco dining, water stations, and more. For lunch stop at San Benito House Deli on Main Street, which offers patio seating. You can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches, especially on their homemade olive walnut bread. Once you grab a picnic table on the expansive patio you can dive into the sandwich with Fido sitting by your side. If you stop by on a Sunday there will likely be live music for your enjoyment.
A new local favorite for humans and pooches alike is Hop Dogma Brewing Co. a few miles up the road in El Granada. This local tasting room, created by two friends who love brewing beer, is the perfect pit-stop when traveling with your pup. Dogs are welcome to join you in the tasting room as you sip on the ever changing chalkboard menu of small batch micro-beers. If you like one, order a second round – it might not be there next time.
Half Moon Bay Brewery is long-time favorite for fans of hand-crafted beer and great pub fare. You’ll love the beachside setting and fire pits on the patio, and your dog will dig the house-made dog treats called Maverick Bones, made from the spent grains from the brewing process. This great hangout for dogs and their people won Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant in Bay Woof’s 2014 Beast of the Bay Awards, so you know it’s a must-try.
Other options for dining with your dog include Pasta Moon, Flavor on the Coast, and Cameron’s Restaurant – to name but a few.
To catch a stunning Half Moon Bay sunset, choose to dine with your dog at Sam’s Chowder House along Highway 1. Sit back in one of the comfy Adirondack chairs and watch the crashing surf as the sun dips below the sea. The servers at Sam’s make sure not to let your dog go unnoticed. You can even order a hamburger as a special treat for your furry companion, or just a bowl of water.
It isn’t always easy to travel with your dogs, but Half Moon Bay welcomes them in all shapes and sizes. From luxury accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay to micro brew tasting at Hop Dogma, the many dog-friendly commercial establishments – plus the gorgeous natural surroundings – will keep you returning again and again.
For even more details, click your way to visithalfmoonbay.org/half-moon-bay-california-dog-friendly.
Kaitlin Crawford works in Public Relations and spends most of her time in Half Moon Bay. A University of Arizona Wildcats fan, she loves photography, hiking, and California wines. She lives in Pacifica with her husband, Patrick, and loveable nine-year-old Chocolate Lab, Daisy.
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Main article photo by: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
