Moving to Half Moon Bay, CA

About Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay is a coastside San Mateo County city of about 12,000 on the Pacific, famous for its pumpkin festival, the Mavericks big-wave surf break, Pillar Point Harbor, and the Ritz-Carlton clifftop resort. It blends a historic Main Street downtown with beaches, farmland, and dramatic coastal scenery.

Home prices in Half Moon Bay

The median listing price in Half Moon Bay is $1,825,000.

Top places in Half Moon Bay

• Half Moon Bay State Beach — four miles of sandy beach (shown in the Commons photos below).
• Pillar Point Harbor — fishing harbor and whale-watching departures.
• Mavericks — the legendary big-wave surf break at Pillar Point.
• Historic Main Street — shops, restaurants, and galleries downtown.
• Sam's Chowder House — landmark waterfront restaurant.
• The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay — clifftop resort with coastal trails.
• Fitzgerald Marine Reserve — tide pools (nearby in Moss Beach).

Commuting from Half Moon Bay

• No rail service; SamTrans buses connect to the Bayside.
• Approximate drive to downtown San Francisco via CA-92 and I-280: ~45–75 minutes (Devil's Slide tunnels and tourist traffic add time).

Schools in Half Moon Bay

Public schools: Cabrillo Unified School District. For enrollment and performance data, see the state report card in Town links below. Confirm school assignment for any address directly with the district.

Half Moon Bay FAQs

• What is the housing market like in Half Moon Bay, CA?
  The median listing price in Half Moon Bay is $1,825,000. Median listing price (September 2026 research snapshot)
• How is the commute from Half Moon Bay, CA?
  No rail service; SamTrans buses connect to the Bayside.
• Which school district serves Half Moon Bay, CA?
  Half Moon Bay is served by Cabrillo Unified School District. See the state report card in Town links, and confirm school assignment for a specific address with the district.

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