Half Moon Bay (disambiguation)
Alternative meaning: Half Moon Bay, New Zealand, Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
Half Moon Bay is a city in northern California which lies 20 miles south of San Francisco and 40 miles north of Santa Cruz on the Pacific Ocean. It has a population of approximately 11,000. It sits on a bay of the same name. Major local industries include agriculture (houseplants, floriculture, Christmas trees, pumpkins, artichokes), fishing, and tourism. Neighboring cities include Pescadero, San Gregorio, El Granada, Moss Beach, Montara and Pacifica. Historically, Half Moon Bay has been known as San Felipe and Spanishtown.
A popular spot at Half Moon Bay is the 'Jetty,' or as it is sometimes called, 'The Breakwater.' This is a man-made break with unusual waves shaped by reflections from the breakwater at Half Moon Bay harbor.
Half Moon Bay is the home of the world famous "Mavericks" breakwater with waves so large that the greatest surfers in the world visit annually for an invitation-only competition.
Half Moon Bay hosts an annual "Art and Pumpkin Festival" on Main Street downtown. 250,000 people descend on this town every October for this world-renowned festival.