3 Bay Area Beach Escapes
Photos left to right: Half Moon Bay, Pacifica and Santa Cruz
With the winter weather spiking to 80 degrees yesterday and today at some California beaches, it might as well be spring. And that means it’s time for spring vacation! We recently reviewed the best beaches in Orange County and 3 Los Angeles beach vacations.
Have you checked out fantastic Bay Area beach Santa Cruz? It is number one for fun. With a huge beach boardwalk that celebrated its 100 year anniversary several years ago, its old-fashioned rides mingle & mix with modern musical acts during free summer concerts. However, anytime’s a good time to see Santa Cruz. Museums, beautiful beaches, surfing, shopping, nightlife, nature hikes and festivals & events will keep you amused. There’s a wonderful wharf filled with hours of activities from dining to shopping. Santa Cruz really can’t be beat for pure entertainment at a beach.
Pacifica is a little more tranquil and less crowded than Santa Cruz, approx. a 90 minute south of this San Mateo County destination. Many locals know and love Pacifica as the hidden gem of the Bay Area. A section of the city called Rockaway Beach features affordable hotels on the beach. At night you can hear the waves crashing onto shore. Pacifica has a wonderful fishing pier that you must see. Take a stroll to enjoy the sights and sounds of Pacifica!
Half Moon Bay is the surfing capitol, not doubt. Sure, Santa Cruz lays claim to the moniker ‘Surf City’, but Half Moon Bay deserves recognition as California’s indisputable big wave surfing mecca at Mavericks. Only the strongest, best surfers get to tackle waves that can be 50 feet or more! Half Moon Bay is purely a beach vacation where you can wander and sample from many cafes in the quaint downtown or drive along the coastal route known for Cameron’s British pub. You can book a horseback ride near the beaches and sand, take a drive to see the unique Filoli in Woodside, and play golf at the famed Ritz-Carlton.
Bay Area Beaches
- Pleasure piers: Santa Cruz, Pacifica
- Attractions: Santa Cruz has it all! Half Moon Bay offers golf; Pacifica features surfing, pier fishing
- Sand beaches: Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay and Pacifica all have sandy beaches
- Events: Santa Cruz free concerts, chowder cook-off, lots of surfing competitions; Half Moon Bay car show, Art & Pumpkin Festival; Pacifica has Fog Festival.
- Hotel prices: Santa Cruz has some affordable chain hotels; Half Moon Bay has affordable to luxury resort accommodations; Pacifica has affordable beach hotels. All these beach destination have higher pricing during special events and popular travel days.
