Whale Watching

The annual migration of the gray whale is currently underway, and Half Moon Bay is the perfect spot for witnessing the journey of these spectacular creatures. Beginning in early December through the end of March, approximately 15,000 gray whales swim south from the icy waters of the Arctic to mate and nurse their young in the warm, shallow lagoons along Magdalena Bay in Baja, California. For those who like to plan ahead, March through early April is a great time to spot humpback whales as they begin moving closer to shore.

Several local companies offer whale watching excursions:
•Huli Cat Sportfishing, (650) 726-2926, www.hulicat.com
  •Half Moon Bay Sportfishing & Tackle, (650) 728-3377, www.hmbfishing.com
  •Riptide Sportfishing, (888) 747-8433, www.riptide.net

Vintage car

 Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show

April 28 & 29, 2012 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Half Moon Bay Airport, 9850 N. Cabrillo Highway (Hwy. 1)
This event showcases more than 2,000 motorized mechanical marvels from throughout the 20th and 21st centuries including luxury cars, powerful sports cars, custom cars and street rods, muscle cars, vintage and modern era high-performance race cars, quirky art and pedal cars and modified street machines. Headline attractions scheduled to appear include: the world’s most powerful air raid siren to open the festivities; thrilling, high-flying freestyle Motocross exhibitions, military aviation wonders and much more. Rounding out the activities will be kid’s amusements, food, and live music.  The show benefits the Coastside Adult Day Health Center. For more information, call (650) 726-2328 or visit www.miramarevents.com. Tickets are $20 adults, $10 ages 11-17 and 65+, free for kids ages 10 and under. For more information, call 650-726-2328 or visit www.miramarevents.com.

Mavericks: Everest of the Seas Art Exhibit

January 14 – February 29, 2012

Champagne & Wine Reception at the Coastal Arts League in Half Moon Bay: Saturday, January 21st, 5 – 8 pm

Coastal Arts League – 300 Main St., Half Moon Bay – 650-726-6335

Año Nuevo State Park

Through March 31, 2012, guided Elephant Seal walks at Año Nuevo State Park may be purchased through ReserveAmerica at http://anonuevo.reserveamerica.com or 1-800-444-4445. Please read the Año Nuevo Guided Walks brochure for more information before making reservations. The Reserve is home to a large colony of Northern Elephant Seals which come ashore to give birth and mate from mid-December through March. A guided Public Seal Walk lasts approximately 2.5 hours and operates daily for individuals, families or groups at $7.00 per person. Equal Access guided walks are available for visitors needing mobility assistance along a wooden boardwalk. Equal Access Walks are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from January–March; walk times are at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Reservations may be made by calling the Park at 650-879-2033 on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays between 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. otherwise nocturnal animals.

Harley Farms

2012 Farm Dinners

Harley Farms’ Dinners are always local, seasonal farm cooking served with aplomb. Tour the farm with hors d’oeuvre in hand, and join Dee Harley for an introduction to your menu and the history of her farmstead dairy. Then enjoy five courses of delectable farm cooking served at the grand table made from a fir tree saved from the winter floods, with folk art chairs, pottery and pewter handmade by local friends. Monthly dinners sell out very fast; click here to book yours. 205 North Street, Pescadero ~ 650-879-0480 ~ www.harleyfarms.com

Irene Harbor Tours

The fully-restored Irene offers four tours on Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 10:00 a.m. with the last tour around 4:00 p.m. Tours leave from the far end of D-Dock off Johnson Pier, Half Moon Bay. No reservation needed; purchase your tickets right on the boat with cash or credit card. Adults $17, children ages 6-13 $7, children five and under are free. The boat fits 18 passengers. 650-533-4385 ~ www.ireneharbortours.com

There are several restaurants that are having music in the Half Moon Bay area on New Year’s eve. A few are listed below:

Happy New Year

The Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, 650-728-2739, is having and early bird New Year’s eve celebration with music from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. A few other restaurants that are having music on New Year’s eve are:  Café Gilbraltar 650-560-9039,  It’s Italia 650-726-4444, Pasta Moon 650-726-5125, Crab Landing 650-712-1288 and Flying Fish Grill 650-712-1125. Here is a link to even more New Year’s Eve activities from the Half Moon Bay Review newspaper.

Happy New Year!

There are several Christmas tree farms in Half Moon Bay including:

Santa’s Tree Farm, 78 Pilarcitos Creek Road, Half Moon Bay, CA, 650-726-2246, www.santstreefarm.com

Lemos Farm, 12320 San Mateo Road (Highway 92), Half Moon Bay, CA, 650-726-2342, www.lemosfarm.com

Pastorino & Son, 12391 San Mateo Road (Highway 92), Half Moon Bay, CA, 650-726-6440, www.pastorinofarms.com

Four C’s Christmas Tree Farm, Highway 92 near La Nebbia Winery, Half Moon Bay, CA

by Charise Hale McHugh

November 2011— Come walk amongst the promenade of trees all aglitter with beautiful lights on Main Street in downtown Half Moon Bay on Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. Night of Lights promises to be extra special this year because you can enjoy shopping in the stores, which will be open until 9 p.m., as well as watching the parade, listening to live entertainment, visiting the children’s area, and enjoying light shows.

Night of Lights will begin with a tree-lighting ceremony at Mac Dutra Park on the corner of Main Street and Kelly Avenue at 6 p.m, featuring a magnificent 12-foot Douglas fir donated by Santa’s Tree Farm & Village. After the tree lighting, the prince and princess of the parade will be crowned. The royal children are nominated by teachers and community leaders and chosen by a committee based on their acts of kindness throughout the year.

Hundreds of children twinkling in lights led by the Half Moon Bay High School Marching Band will march down Main Street in the Parade of Lights at 7 p.m. Floats and an old-fashioned fire truck will guide Santa to his special seat for photos and wish lists. Other events include roasted chestnuts on an open fire, strolling carolers, harpists and lots of old-fashioned charm. There will be music in several locations; performers include the Half Moon Bay Sit Down Band, Santa Claus, the Scottish Fiddlers at La Piazza, Pamela Bowen (harp) and Mary Corcoran (vocals) with traditional Christmas carols and Celtic songs at Barterra Winery, and the Sol Belly Dancers — with guest dancers, too.

The Boys and Girls Club of the Coastside is sponsoring the children’s area with the assistance of local schools and non-profits. Get ready for some fun with the Boys & Girls Club selling holiday items, Coastside Children’s Programs offering crafts & candles, Sea Crest School selling popcorn, and Millie Golder and her Interact Club selling hot cocoa to warm your tummies!

And of course, the dependable American Legion will have a hot dog and Polish dog booth along with waters, coffee and soft drinks.

The shops and restaurants will be open late for browsers wishing to see and taste the unique holiday treasures Half Moon Bay has to offer.

Night of Lights is brought to you by the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce & Visitors’ Bureau and the Boys and Girls Club of the Coastside. Many local businesses serve as sponsors for the event:

Happy Thanksgiving. There are several restaurants offering Thanksgiving meals in the Half Moon Bay area. They are:  Cetrella, the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, the Moss Beach Distillery, Pasta Moon and the Ritz-Carlton.

Happy Thanksgiving

Passport to the Wineries
November 19, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Passport to the Wineries is back again, including over 50 Santa Cruz Mountain wineries. Enjoy the scenery filled with mountain top vistas, or catch a glimpse at llamas while passing along the winding drive through the Santa Cruz Mountains, where the trail is half the experience! Take advantage of the Passport Program, which offers a unique opportunity for guests to visit wineries not typically open to the public at other times. Guests will tour the facilities, meet the winemakers and sample their product, including special wines poured only for participants in the Passport Program. Passports never expire and are valid until all the wineries have been visited. $40 per person. For more information or to order a passport, call (831) 685-VINE (8463), visit the website at www.scmwa.com or email info@scmwa.com.

The historic Lady Washington ship will be in Half Moon Bay at Pillar Point Harbor on November 2 – 6, 2011.

The historic James Johnston House will be having its annual holiday emporium on November 5-6 and 12-13, 2011.

Pumpkins

Currently, there are several pumpkin farms to visit in the Half Moon Bay area including:

Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm, 850 North Cabrillo Highway (Highway One), Half Moon Bay, 650-726-4980, www.farmerjohnspumpkins.com

Lemos Farm, 12320 San Mateo Road (Highway 92), Half MoonBay, 650-726-2342, www.lemosfarm.com

Pastorino Farm, 12391 San Mateo Road (Highway 92), Half Moon
Bay, 650-726-6440, www.pastorinofarms.com

Repetto’s Nursery & Florist, 12331 San Mateo Road (Highway 92), Half Moon Bay,650-726-6414, www.repettosflorist.com

Bob’s Pumpkin Farm, Five miles south of Half Moon Bay on
Highway One, 650-726-6414

Arata Pumpkin Farm, 185 Verde Road, Half Moon Bay, Six miles
south of Half Moon Bay on Highway One, 650-726-4567, www.aratapumpkinfarm.com