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Hidden Half Moon Bay
It's about much more than the pumpkins!
- 1902
- 1206
34 Places
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Bradley’s 5-star review: (To the tune of "California Girls" by the Beach Boys*) Well East Coast beers are top Brothers Tröeg, please, never stop! And Southern beers with the way they look Shiner Bock is off the hook. Schlafly's mid-West Pumpkin will make you feel alright And the Northern beers with the way they malt: Otter Creek keeps you warm at night. I wish they all could be Californian I wish they all could be Californian I wish they all could be Californian beers. The West Coast has the sunshine And the hops all grow so grand. Lagunitas Pils is so damn fine Fish tacos and driftwood in the sand. I've been all around this great big world And I drank all kinds of beer; Yeah, but I couldn't wait to get back to the Golden State Back to the coolest brews around. I wish they all could be Californian I wish they all could be Californian I wish they all could be Californian beers ... Longboard Liquors is a store that rocks. For great local (i.e. Californian) beer, wine, bourbon, scotch, and other fine spirits. And if they don't carry it: just ask! They'll order it for you. Nothing finer on the Central Coast between San Francisco and Santa Cruz, period. (*) For Lydia L., an intimate lover of fine foods, wines, & brews. -
Bradley’s 5-star review: Come here to sample some of the Bay area's finest smoked fish and cheese, courtesy of Dave and Teri Barber at Creekside Smokehouse. This place is so beloved among its customers that they have the stuff shipped to them when they cannot pick it up in person. But if you do come in person, you get to talk and taste, sampling the fine, fine things on display. This time, we ONLY picked up some smoked butter (wow!), some smoked Parmesan (double wow!) , some trout, some sturgeon, and some wild salmon (triple, quad, and quintuple wows). And then the crab dip, which was excellent. The cold-smoked salmon, however, is in a class by itself. -
Bradley’s 5-star review: Mavericks will leave a lasting impression on you, even if you are not ever likely to come close to feeling the suffocating might of its waves. Then again, as was the case this year, some spectators who ventured too near the action were treated to a frightening example of what a rouge wave can do: broken bones, smashed broadcasting equipment, drenched clothing, mangled bicycles, lost cameras, and just a little bit more of the Pacific's quiet fury than they had been expecting. Maybe that is the problem: expectations. Too often, we are easily encouraged by reading too much about a place ahead of time (including on Yelp) and then assuming that we will see, feel, or taste things the same way that others have done. This will NOT happen. Sometimes you must suspend belief, discard any preconceived notions, and live a little. You will be surprised what happens next! Mavericks is a place where wind-driven waves rise up to massive heights of 20-50 feet and then turn over in great walls of water about a mile off the coast of Pillar Point near Half Moon Bay. On a regular day. when the winter swells reveal the shallow shoals below the surface, there are crowds and surfers, but nothing like the day of the Mavericks surf contest. Then, the place swarms with more people than you are ever likely to see in the area - even more than the weekend crowds at Barbara's Fish Trap! I respect the Pacific and its rocky, rugged coastline. I admire (I think) those who venture out on surfboards and jetskis to cascade down the watery conveyances that escort them back to the shore at incredible speeds, leaving a roiling rage of white water in their wake. From the relative comfort of the sunny cliffs, you can watch the spectacle unfold from a deck chair with binoculars or a zoom lens camera. The live Internet feed and TV viewing locations are also attractive options. But we came for the experience, walking the line with the other big wave onlookers to see what makes Mavericks, well, Mavericks. Here's the rub: it's not just the mega-waves and the guys who get dumped off their boards for every time that they come away unscathed. In between the sets, the water calms down, the surfers bob up and down in the water, gently riding over swells and easing out into the wave break zone, lulling you into a false sense of security. Then, like magic, the next cycle begins: waves rise and fall, almost in slow motion. They crash down upon themselves and little black dots with multicolored neoprene wetsuits speed down their precipitous inclines. The camera shutters click, the crowds gasp as one, they applaud, they groan, they shake their collective heads in disbelief. And then, just like that, Mavericks works its magic like it has been doing for centuries, even before things like live video streaming were invented. There is, in the end, nothing that can prepare you for Mavericks. It's a great name for an unforgettable place. To give it anything other than five stars would be a travesty of justice. And the waves would remember. Next time, if you fail to show them the respect that is their due, they will teach you to fear them. The surfers know what to expect each time they venture into this sacred space. Expect nothing to ever be the same. Believe everything is possible. Live like there is no tomorrow. And ride the big waves as long as you can. -
Bradley’s 5-star review: The James Johnston House, located on a rolling Half Moon Bay hillside overlooking the Pacific, is an architectural gem hidden in plain sight. It is also one of the rarest historic houses on the California coast, a "Yankee-style" white saltbox building constructed by Johnston for his wife, Petra Maria de Jara, between 1853-55. After languishing in a state of poor repair for years, local conservationists formed a foundation in 1971 to preserve this amazing structure, which is open the third Saturday a month from 11 AM - 3 PM for guided tours. There is also an annual holiday boutique two weekends in November where the rooms are all decorated and local vendors sell arts and crafts. If you are lucky enough to be in the area when the house is open, you will be treated to a fascinating glimpse into Bay area history during the decades that followed the California gold rush. Most people will drive by on Highway 1 without ever noticing this famous "white house of Half Moon Bay." We only stumbled across it while shopping one Saturday on Main Street and followed a few signs directing us to the parking lot on Higgins-Purissima Road (close to the HMB fire station). The rooms inside this gleaming white, green-shuttered homestead are furnished with some original items donated by the family as well as contemporary pieces from the late 19th century. Stop and admire the rose garden, the mother-in-law's personal chapel, the Victorian parlor, the kitchen and pantry, and the upstairs bedrooms. There is also a short video to watch and photos from the renovation process. The surrounding fields are still being farmed, making this place seem like living history. The tour guides, many of whom dress in period costume, are incredibly nice to visitors and staff a small gift shop that helps to raise money to support the on-going restorations. The foundation's web site provides all the relevant details for planning your visit and gives additional insight into the history of the Johnston family and the renovation process. Another historical property from the 1850s is just down the road: the Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park (http://www.yelp.com/biz/burleigh-h-murray-ranch-half-moon-bay), which has a unique 2-story dairy barn that makes for a pleasant short hike when the weather is right. -
Bradley’s 4-star review: "Ask a Yelp Whisperer" Question of the Day (QOTD*) October 24, 2010 Q: My name is Vikram. I came to Mountain View fresh from IIT Mumbai. I am looking for some chai to droll over while taking a break from Silicon Valley. I often take my Audi S4 driving on Highway One and love the coastline very much. Sometimes, it makes me think of home, even if things are very different here. But what I really need is something full of spice and rich cream and tea flavor. Please, no more pumpkin spice chai (if it can really be called this name) from Starbucks and Peets! I want something different and don't want to have to fly back home to Pune to get it! Help me Yelp Whisperer, just as you have assisted so many others. Dhanyavad in advance. A: Dear Vikram from Mountain View, I appreciate your message and can sympathize. It is hard to come to a new place and miss the tastes, smells, and flavors from home. Especially when you hail from a part of the world renowned for such things. A good chai can be hard to find outside of a South Asian-American kitchen. But there is hope, there is salvation: Raman holds the key to your pleasure. His shop is slightly off the beaten Peets path (which took his old store, btw), but the locals know where to find him. Ironically enough, it's next to a Curves. No matter. The chai IS what matters. The crushed fresh pistachio and lemon-tinged cardamon tasting notes are amazing, as is the quirky and charming decor, the alluring aromas, and Raman's unmistakable presence (he was decked out in a striking yellow polo the day of my most recent visit). So, in addition to divinely delicious "real chai," the store and the man himself are equally impressive. It is a location that beckons both the untested chai virgin as much as the grizzled tea-drinking veteran, so come early, come often, and enjoy. Thanks, Vikram. Have a real chai on me, next time you are cruising the coast. Just don't spill it on the leather upholstery of your new S4! (*) For Dan B. and our crazy race to 500. We will, we will ... Yelp you!! -
Bradley’s 5-star review: The Yelptionary: new words to live by. "java" (i) an island in the Indonesian archipelago filled with bustling cities, misty volcanic mountains, sandy beaches, and verdant tropical greenery, once a childhood home to Barak "I'm number 44!" O.; (ii) a major computer language developed by programmers at Sun Microsystems but now owned by fellow Woodsider and oracular billionaire about town, Larry "Shogun of Silicon Valley" E.; (iii) that ethereal brown-black substance that makes your mornings worth looking forward to, saving you from nausea, irritability, and perpetual pessimism; (iv) the product of mixing almost boiling water with coarsely ground coffee beans shade-grown at high altitude on a family-owned plantation in Diplito, Nicaragua, letting them seep in a French-press pot for 2:35, then savoring the aromas and tasting notes after dinner, alongside single-origin dark chocolates, Scottish oatmeal biscuits and shortbread, and a glass of Knob Creek bourbon (one cube of ice makes it nice); (v) a beverage for all seasons that you can make using dark or light beans roasted weekly in Redwood City at Connoisseur and sold at the Half Moon Bay farmers' market each Saturday, the entire operation handled by the family members who own the plantation and roast the beans; (vi) an example of why globalization is not necessarily an evil thing for residents of the developing world, provided that the rules of fair trade and free labor are rigorously applied; (vii) a substitute song lyric to Bob "Dreadlock King" M.'s reggae classic, "Jammin," as in "ooh yeah, all right! it's java! I wanna java wid you. It's java, it's java, and I hope you like java too." Hmmm .... time for a fresh cup. And for more Marley: No bullet can stop us now, we neither beg nor we won't bow; Neither can be bought nor sold. We all defend the right; Jah - Jah children must unite: Your life is worth much more than gold. We're jammin' here, we're jammin'! -
Bradley’s 4-star review: La Di Da Cafe serves up a healthy portion of community spirit to go along with its coffee, breakfast items, sandwiches, and baked goods. It's located a mere block from Half Moon Bay's Main Street, but it's a world apart in the Yelp universe, virtually off the radar screen for day-trippers and weekenders who don't know the ins and outs of this appealing oceanside town. That's too bad. Because there is a lot here to like. Located on an unassuming corner a stone's throw from Main, La Di Da seduces you with its simple and sincere touches. They serve Outland Java coffee, a local organic roaster, and the owner bakes many of the items herself (including a mango coffee cake and a flourless, vegan all-day cookie made with dates and nuts). There is a straightforward breakfast menu, empanadas, bagels, ice cream, cold drinks, and other small items to choose from. The interior is bright and airy with high ceilings and lots of hardwood floorspace to go alongside the various seating options. Local for-sale artwork lines the walls (on our visit mainly paintings of celebrity icons, dead or alive), while an upstairs annex has a few seats by the window. In addition, there is a free pregnancy and parenthood lending library (maintained by a local women's group) and an art studio (Art Attic, http://www.wix.com/artattic/ART-ATTIC) that offers adult and children's evening classes. The "living wall" display of flowers made from recycled cans, bottle caps, styrofoam peanuts, and egg cartons is creative and eco-cool. While we sipped mugs of coffee at a sun-splashed table on the ground floor, a mixed group of local teenagers stopped in to hang out. No one seemed to mind. Smaller clutches of older men and women sipped coffee and chatted. Free wifi, a community events board, a goldfish tank, and a cute trio of enormous stuffed animals (tiger, giraffe, elephant) rounded the place out. There is even a serving window for ordering coffee directly from Ink Spell Books next door. On Sundays, they have live music as well. I loved the way that community and commerce blended here, where local artwork, good java, and honest food shared a common location, and where first-time customers like us could feel as welcome as the people who make this place an extension of their living room. After exploring the SF Bay area in search of superb coffee and cutting-edge cafes, I realize that I had forgotten about something equally rare: an honest-to-goodness local coffee shop that is just right the way it is. -
Bradley’s 4-star review: How do YOU ring in the New Year (Part II)? We do it by slurping oyster shooters, sipping Anchor Liberty Ale, dipping fried garlic artichoke hearts, and thoroughly loving our fish and fresh chips at Ketch Joanne's in Half Moon Bay harbor. Well, that's what we DID this December 31. Boy, was it awesome! In that fried food, raw oyster, sinus-clearing fresh horseradish sort of way. After falling in love (sort of) with Barbara's Fish Trap, we finally came here on the recommendation of David Barber, proprietor of the ultimate smokehouse, Creekside, across Highway One on Alhambra Avenue in HMB. We headed across the street, parked, and were in for a lunch-time treat. The chips here are made from fresh potatoes, not frozen, and the rock cod (aka Pacific snapper) they use is fresh from the boat, flaky, and melt-in-the-mouth tender. There are two breading choices: regular or beer-battered. We chose the regular, which was lighter and wonderful. The housemade tartar sauce was outstanding and seemed to have a hint of cinnamon to it, while the horseradish and ketchup for the chips were also great. Ditto the artichoke hearts and the oyster shooter. Next time I'll order mine with vodka! We'll come back once more to try Joanne's cakes and pies, made using time-tested recipes. The carrot cake and banana bread will be first on our list. And if they are as good as the staff tells us they are, we'll bring a fifth Yelp start along with a big, fat tip!! -
Bradley’s 4-star review: The FFG is definitely on the Yelping map, despite being a little hard to locate in the real world. It's a popular fish and seafood shop squeezed between Highways 1, 92, and Main Street and virtually indistinguishable from the outside from the nearby seafood market and produce store. From the outside, that is! Once you enter the little wooden gates into the flower-filled patio or cozy up into the funky decorated interior, you enter the Flying Fish universe: famous fish tacos in five varieties (local fried cod, mahi mahi, salmon, shrimp, or scallop), fish n' chips, ahi tuna salads, grilled fish specials, and cold bottled beer. It's a nice blend of tastes and price points, perfect for the quick lunch, après-beach dinner, or an impromptu road trip pit stop. We were looking for a light meal after finishing some late morning shopping, so we decided to split a fish taco (under $4), a bowl of cioppino ($15), a Sierra Nevada, and an Anchor Steam ($3 each). The cioppino did not come with Dungeness crab but had some delicious shrimp, chucks of salmon, scallops, clams, calamari, and green mussels in a rather straightforward broth tasting of seafood, tomato, and oregano that you could sop up with the accompanying garlic bread. The taco was quite good, as other reviewers have noted, even without the guacamole and cheese in the grande. Eating here on a sunny Saturday was a simple but satisfying experience. The staff helpfully brought us an extra bowl for the soup and served our food with care and kindness. We left relaxed and happy, not overloaded with fried food, with all the energy needed for an afternoon of adventure in Half Moon Bay, Pescadero, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. That makes us fans of the FFG and encourages us to return for more. -
Bradley’s 4-star review: Eating here on a Monday evening with a bunch of locals and nary a tourist in sight was enough for Barbara and her fish trapping friends to earn an extra fourth star from us. After picking up said East Coaster (otherwise known as our British-American brother-in-law) from SFO, we plunged deep into the Santa Cruz Mountains and descended the winding and wonderful Alpine Road just as the setting sun made the Pacific glow in shimmering red, gold, and orange skytones. Then, after stumbling in the near darkness through giant redwoods in Heritage Grove (illuminated slightly by a full moon), we entered Highway One at Pescadero and sped silently along the coast to Half Moon Bay and Pillar Point Harbor. Barbara's greeted us with cold beer, artichoke heart tempura, fish 'n chips, and the mysterious but tasty Neptune special. The staff were super nice and unobtrusive, and we left totally full in stomach and soul. Honestly, what is better than that? Note: they don't take credit cards, so bring cash instead! -
Bradley’s 4-star review: Not been Yelped since February 2009? That can't be good ... Look: Tokenz is probably not a place where customer service will win any awards, but the folks here let us wander the place for at least an hour today w/out saying a word. A word! Personally, I LOVE this. There are so many funky and unexpected things here. It's a journey of discovery, so go it alone and see what happens. What do you want, my high school friend, Jerry K., used to say. A cookie? You won't find any cookies here but there is quite a bit of other stuff, some senseless but a lot sublime and even a little bit sacred: stones, incense, jewelry, glass baubles, clothes, beads, bags, scarves, séance gear, painted turtle avatars, plastic skull heads, wind-up Catholic nuns, Buddhas, candy canes, metallic phish (I mean, fish), an awesome Christmas tree and ornament display, aboriginal items, native American goods, etc. etc. etc. It's all weird and good. It's all here. And they don't really care if YOU get it or not. That's so not the point. Quite possibly, the customer does not come first at this place, and maybe that ain't such a bad thing. But if you give a little, you'll probably get something back. Once the staff saw that we were ready to buy, they were nice and friendly and offered us advice about other places of interest in HMB. We left with some incense, a magnet, and a few little glass pieces for the house. Nice. Inexpensive and nice. Don't come here expecting a tour guide to show you around. They can smell a tourist a mile away. I'll bet that they see ten people come in and browse w/out buying for every one person who leaves with something to take home. So take a chance and get lost looking at this unusual stuff. Here it is all about the order of the things. Les mots et les choses, as Foucault would have said. We miss you, mon ami poststructuraliste! -
Bradley’s 3-star review: Pastorino Farms is a sprawling complex on the road to Half Moon Bay that offers a little bit of everything (http://www.yelp.com/biz/h-pastorino-and-son-half-moon-bay). It sells flowers, plants, gifts, offers birthday parties with hay and pony rides, has farm tours, a summer camp, and more. Many people seem to come here during the annual Pumpkin Festival, which figures heavily on its web site. A 3rd-generation family business, it's part of what makes this narrow, 2-lane drive into Half Moon Bay so picturesque and unique. It's located on a stretch of CA-92 that often backs up with traffic on weekends and can demand a lot of patience to endure. All those cars, trucks, and SUVs packed with day-trippers bound for the Pacific coast have encouraged the farms and nurseries in the area to offer various ways of getting people to stop and shop. Attracting the kiddie crowd for birthday parties is something that both Pastorino's and Lemos Farm (just across the road) seem to focus on, as are the Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holidays. So, what about normal, year-round activities? In addition to its plant nursery and gift barn, Pastorino's has a small roadside farmstand offering a modest selection of fruits. vegetables, farm-raised eggs, and dairy products. There are several other produce stands to choose from in the area, and all offer similar ranges of local and imported produce. I was pleased to see a selection of Harley Farms goat cheeses (from Pescadero) in the refrigerated section and a $1 bunch of organic basil (from Mexico) at the check-out. Some of the produce is farm-grown, but most of the fruit on sale came from further away (like Chile). Stopping here on the drive home was a nice way to interrupt the drive and add a few items to my shopping bag. I'd like to come again later in the growing season when they might have more items from the farm. If you have never been to Pastorino's before and want to check out the area when the crowds are not so heavy as during pumpkin season, their small but nicely-stocked produce stand is worth a quick visit. -
Bradley’s 3-star review: Here's the thing about Cameron's. Timing is EVERYTHING. The time of day that you go - and in what state of sobriety you leave - will really determine if you give this place 5 stars or 1. We showed up on a Saturday morning looking for our McVitie fix. If you have ever tasted the crumbly graham rounded perfection that is a McVitie's digestive biscuit, you will be able to relate. It's addictive brown goodness that you swallow, not snort or inject, but the symptoms of withdrawal are likely similar. Cameron's has a little English shop, not twee, but tidy. We arrived early and the place was basically waking up. But Cameron's being Cameron's some guys showed up to drink beer with their friend who was getting married soon, and some folks with cameras took pics of the double-decker smoking bus outside. This is a quirky shrine to beer, filling food, and things British. In Half Moon Bay. How is the food? I could not say. But the McVitie's were mighty fine. And the beer bottle collection is worth charging admission to see. -
Bradley’s 3-star review: Mission: find a store that sells bags of 50 count (or more) tea lights. A discount store sounds like a great option, no? Well, that's what we thought when C. and I stopped here at Twice as Nice in search of said candles. But that was mistake number one: NEVER go to a bargain store in search of a specific item - you will not find it!! Instead, go to browse the messy, chaotic shelves stacked with second-hand items in search of discount gold. We found a 10-pack of Hanukkah tea lights (4 hours burn time!) for $1.49, so that's OK. But we also found some Swedish rye bread (knäckebröd) for 99 cents and other small items. Total bill: $8.44. Not bad at all. And a fun trip into the world of cast-off, not ready for prime time consumer items. Twice as Nice has 3 (or more?) separate sections peddling hardware, tools, clothes, electronics, used furniture, soon-to-expire canned food, Harry and David gift baskets from holidays past, etc. etc. I cannot really recommend it of you want something specific. But if you are into the joys of the bargain hunt and like to peruse shelves in search of that odd item for $5 or less, give this place a try! -
Bradley’s 4-star review: Funky and fearsomely cool, you need to see what is hidden behind the dinosaur and woolly mammoth sculptures. Spanishtown awaits. It is a global tour de force of water fountains, furniture, vases, garden ornaments, clothes, jewelery, kids toys, and lots of hidden secrets for young and old to explore. I'm pretty sure that we bought something, but maybe we just left with precious fistfuls of free memories and the softly echoing sound of water splashing on polished stone ... zen inner calm, Spanish style. -
Bradley’s 5-star review: I awoke this morning to the sound of redwood rain. I put some logs upon the dying fire, made a rooibos tea, and drank some freshly-squeezed orange juice. I knew that this was the perfect day to return to Toque Blanche in Half Moon Bay's quaint little downtown. We had been here before and given it a 4-star Yelp rating for the helpful staff, well-chosen inventory, and local vibe. This time, however, we were in search of something special. We found it, and so much more. That is why I have added a star and an update. Both are extremely well-deserved! People come here again and again for a reason, and we are slowly but surely finding out why. We came to find a baking dish for our planned Christmas 2009 Nor Cal dining experience. My wife is making a Linzertorte based on a Viennese coffeehouse recipe using a mariposa plum jam we just purchased from We Love Jam. I'm making a Holding Ranch free-range butterflied leg of lamb (marinated, lightly grilled, then roasted to medium-rare in the oven and garnished with fresh rosemary), which we will serve with Núñez Farm organic fingerling potatoes and roasted garlic, plus some Happy Boy Farms mesclun microgreens. Accompanying it all with be a bottle of Justin Savant, a Syrah/Cab/Malbec blend from Paso Robles. I'm getting hungry just Yelping about it! So we found exactly the tinned aluminium baking dish we needed for the Linzertorte, plus some applewood-smoked fleur de sel, some Spanish pimentón, a 1 kilo package of French sea salt (for $7.99!), and a sublime Katz & Co. Napa raspberry honey. All are divine. All are essential to a well-stocked table. All will be enjoyed in the coming days and weeks. (This is not about foodie pretentiousness, even though I admit it may sound like it! This is about TASTE and the things in life that are handcrafted with love that results from the interaction b/t humanity and the natural world: salt from the sea, smoke from the dried wood of fruit trees, sweetness from the bees and berries, proteins, carbs, and fats from the ground and meadow, and crushed wine grapes aged in oak to silky, tannic perfection. If you can't splurge a little when it comes to what you put inside your body, you are missing the point - one of them, at least! - of living). Toque Blanche is not big. It is no Williams Sonoma, for sure. But it is also not your typical mom-and-pop kitchen store. These people KNOW food and baking and cooking. They are top-notch. And friendly. I have rarely seen their equal, and I grew up in a home with a father who had studied cooking in Paris at Le Cordon Bleu in the 1950s before returning to his boyhood home in West Virginia. My dad would LOVE this place! And so will you. -
Bradley’s 4-star review: How do YOU ring in the New Year (Part IV)? We do it by exploring new things and shops in search of the one Christmas ornament that we add to our tree each year. Stopping after 12/25 allows you to get deep discounts of anywhere from 20-50% off of the pre-Santa prices. And it's a fun tradition that my wife and I have been doing for a number of years now. Each time that we hang one of these ornaments, we re-activate a good memory. This December 31, we found ourselves in Half Moon Bay and were feeling full and happy on fish and chips, oyster shooters, espresso, and gelato. So it was a sudden rush of peace and East Asian-inspired serenity to stumble upon this exquisite store in the HMB Harbor Village. This is one of those stores where you almost don't want to touch ANYTHING but eventually you succumb to temptation and look and feel your way around. Carefully, of course, but with increasing amounts of awe for the pretty things around you: incense, tea, pottery, clothing, jewelry, sculpture, books, artworks, and more. And for those without a budget, the $250 Japanese mermaid (original price: $500) is utterly amazing and would look good in a house with a space nice enough to display it! I was immediately drawn to the lovely Christmas tree displays and the beautiful ornaments for sale. We decided on a pear-shaped glass item with red and gold (I'll post a pic later) and then couldn't help but add a cute little elephant incense burner to go along with the "Hope" and "Strength" Japanese incense made by Shoyeido that we also added to our shopping bag. I am not incense-addict or expert, but I've tried my share of Indian and Chinese products, and we LOVE the Juniper Ridge wildcrafted incense (esp. Sweetgrass and Piñon). But these scents are from the American West, not the Pacific Rim East. And sometimes you want what Asia has to offer. "Hope," for example, is made with sandalwood, frankincense, vanilla, and ginger lily. Wow! I am smelling it right now even as I type these lines, and I am already feeling more hopeful about the New Year. At the very least, 2010 will be sweeter smelling and come with a greater Sense of Peace than before! -
Bradley’s 4-star review: How do YOU ring in the New Year Part I)? We do it by sipping espresso and snacking on the best gelato that Half Moon Bay can offer. Well, that's what we did THIS December 31. CML is an elegant Italian cafe with great pastries, fritattas, cakes, and some superb ice cream. It's almost like they picked the place up from Italy and plopped it down here, complete with the accented, young male servers who handled the counter and register well as people came and went. After coffee, C. and I split a small portion of lemon sorbet (scoop 1) and peppermint cream (scoop 2). Both looked the same but tasted deliciously different. They were the best I've had in a long while. While savoring the 1-2 punch of hot and cold sweetness italiano, I admired the creative chandelier made with coffee cups. Neat! Even the multi-colored tile work on the walls and the Italian glossy wall art in the ultra-clean unisex bathroom were nice. And let's be clear: calling your Half Moon Bay cafe Mezza Luna is either brilliant or totally cheesy. I think it's brilliant, but maybe I have a soft spot for things like this. As I child, I named my medium-sized bear "Medium-sized Bear" (MSB for short). Not too bright, that one. This is a great stop after touring the harbor or over-indulging on some fish and chips or cioppino somewhere nearby. Skip coffee and desert at the fish places and come here instead! -
Bradley’s 3-star review: Yes, I can see why people tend to love this place. The beach actually has sand, for one, and when the summer gets warm enough at Half Moon Bay and the fog lifts, you can spread out a blanket, open up a good book, and take in some rays (sunscreen recommended). In the fall and winter, this is a nice spot (with parking!) to see Mavericks or explore the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. And one of these days, my wife and I will give the Moss Beach Distillery a try, despite the mixed reviews. It sounds from other yelpers that many people first came here on school field trips, which sounds really nice. In WVa, our idea of a field trip was to go tour a coal mine. Or an actual field. We had it tough back then. No California Academy of Sciences and four-story rainforests for us! Thank goodness for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, though. Every child should see real dinosaur bones before that are forced to watch that purple imposter named Barney cavort across their HD flat-screens. For pure beach-walking pleasure, we prefer to stroll the sands and cliffs of Poplar and Redondo Beaches in south Half Moon Bay. For some real peace and quiet, we hit Cowell Ranch Beach or places further down CA Highway One. But Moss Beach is cool, too. -
Bradley’s 5-star review: Ever heard of minus tide? Neither had I. Until now. And boy, is it ever amazing. Minus tides occur rarely when the water at low tide is actually BELOW sea level. At these times, the FMR is at its very best, as the low tides in the afternoon are SO low that you can basically walk to Mavericks if you wanted. Well, not quite, but you CAN walk all the way around to Moss Beach and see thousands - no joke! - of purple sea urchins, tens and hundreds of starfish, the occasional octopus and crab, harbor seals galore, and many birds of various stripes and feathers. -
Bradley’s 4-star review: This is a gorgeous greenhouse complex that you can get lost in - and happily so. It's a place where things are always in bloom and you will discover a new kind of flower, plant, tree, or shrub without even trying. Gardeners will feel like they have been transported to a botanical toy store, while those who are not green-thumbed will be happy just to wander the rows marveling at what water, light, soil, and careful handling are capable of creating. Thanks to this nursery, we have a camelia tree in the garden getting ready to bloom bright red flowers, plus some herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme) and a little lavender garden that brings in the bees. -
Bradley’s 4-star review: No one has Yelped the HMB Fish Market in 2010 (so far), so I decided it's high time for an update. It's a really great place for fresh and fairly-priced seafood, but you need to know a few rules before you go. So be prepared, and you're likely to have a positive experience. Rule number one is that this market is professional-grade, not a Whole Foods shopping paradise or a made-for-tourists spectacle where fresh fish fly flippantly through the air (alliteration is fun!). The prep stations are not hidden, there is no relaxing music, and the tile floors may be wet. The guys who serve you have just been cutting the stuff up or tossing it on ice. Lots of ice. And then there is the fish. I mean, the FISH. Think BIG pieces of just-sliced salmon fillet, huge chucks of sashimi-grade, Hawaiian ahi tuna, jumbo shrimp, mega-crabs, mounds of oysters, scallops, mussels, and whole fish galore. The fish and shellfish are ultra-fresh, and the service is top-notch, although they are not cude and cuddly. The owner and his crew want to move product here and will encourage you to buy - nothing is shrink-wrapped and pre-weighed. What they offer is no-frills, super stuff that passes from the boat to the market and then to you. Rule number two is that you need to know the layout. When you enter the store, you basically look in four directions. To the left is the tank with live Dungeness crabs and sometimes lobster. Behind you facing the window is an ice-filled section with whole fish, octopus, and oysters. Here you will find trout, salmon, albacore tuna, striped bass, halibut, local fish, etc. and a per pound price list. Directly in front is the main glass display with wild Alaskan king salmon fillets and steaks, luscious chucks of ruby-red ahi (not just a piece or two in ice, but 2-3 pound slabs of the stuff), sturgeon, swordfish, halibut, steamed crabs, more oysters, scallops, and fresh shrimp from Mexico. To the right is another glass counter with prepared and specialty items and more seafood. There are fresh breads, good wines, lemons, and all the rest for making that perfect meal for the beach or at home. Rule number three is that you order without being a diva or a cost-cutter. Don't complain if you say "a pound of salmon" and you get a little more. It's fish, for goodness sake. It's not gonna be precise. If you want something specific, point to it. Ask for the small one. But understand that these guys live to sell seafood and know that with each minute that passes, their hard work is fading away. The inevitable march of time will make the moment of ultra-freshness an ephemeral one. Rule number four is to be sustainable and smart about your purchases. We go in the morning when the things are at their peak and always leave with something mouth-wateringly delicious.These are finite resources, so don't go overboard. But when you need fish and seafood done right, and you aren't afraid of what an actual fish market looks like, come here to Half Moon Bay. Then drive home like the wind with your precious cargo and eat it before the magic fades. -
Bradley’s 5-star review: This is best grocery store in Half Moon Bay, bar none. The local wines, produce, coffee, and breads are truly excellent, and the store is impeccably run, spotlessly clean, always well stocked, and never short on helpful staff. The cheese and olive sections are really good, and vegetarians and vegans will find more than they need to make great meals. Lots and lots of local produce, although we tend to buy more of what we need at a Saturday Farmers' Market (like the great one in nearby San Mateo). The atmosphere at this branch of the deservedly famous New Leaf Market is not as nice as the smaller locations in Felton or Boulder Creek. It's located in a pretty ordinary shopping center near the CA-92 and Highway One intersections. But parking is plentiful, and the store is spacious. -
Bradley’s 4-star review: Great selection of firewood - almond, oak, pine, eucalyptus - and absolutely amazing chainsaw sculptures with Swedish-Californian style. Our cord of almond wood kept us warm during the wet and windy Santa Cruz Mt winter. Magnus is a genius and master craftsman. Stop to say hello, even if you don't have a fireplace. When driving on Highway 92 to the beach, stop for a minute and explore. Adventures come when you least expect them. We almost came home with an adopted kitten the last time we were there. -
Bradley’s 3-star review: Five stars when Mavericks is breaking, as it was the day we visited. Parking is predictably crazy then, but if you are lucky, a spot will open up. Do not park along the entrance road to the beach, or the police will ticket your vehicle. Otherwise, be prepared for lots of dog walkers, surfers, bicycles, people with mega-zoom lenses, binoculars, and the like trying to see the big waves, the jet skis, and the adventurous types who brave the waves. It's quite a cool experience. On non-Mavericks days, it's a pretty ordinary place. Not bad, but there are nicer beach walks south of HMB, like Cowell Ranch, or the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and Montara to the North. -
Bradley’s 4-star review: Popular Beach has a lot going for it. Free parking, for one. Easy beach access for another. And a fantastic cliffside nature trail that heads south towards the Ritz Carlton. There are wind-whipped trees aplenty, lots of birds for viewing, and a pleasant mix of bikers, joggers, hikers, and beachcombers. This is definitely a better place to access the Pacific than the spots closer to Pillar Point and the HMB harbor. Unless Mavericks is breaking, of course! -
Bradley’s 3-star review: A hike to the historic, two-story barn at Murray Ranch SP is fun and exciting. It's got that slightly run-down feel that makes you feel like you have discovered something from CA's pre-Silicon Valley past, when farming and ranching and orchards and logging were the ordinary things to do. It's an exposed hike through an old ranch slowly returning to a state of semi-secluded isolation, with smells, sights, and sounds of the western side of the Santa Cruz Mts. We took a book to read and and picnicked beside the barn. It's that kind of a place. -
Bradley’s 3-star review: Redondo Beach is accessible from the North via Poplar Beach. It takes walkers right to the shores of the Ritz Carlton and its golf course and has some excellent hidden tide pools, open, flat sand, and in general peace and quiet for those who are seeking such things. There are only a few routes from the cliffs above to the beach, so look carefully! You will be happy that you came. If you are in the area, check out Cowell Ranch Beach as well! -
Bradley’s 3-star review: Beeson's Produce Stand, an easy right turn off of Highway 92 outside of Half Moon Bay, is a deserving candidate for some added Yelp attention. It's the only all-organic (or nearly so) roadside farm stand I know of in the area, and while it's still a pretty simple set-up with a gravel road and limited parking area, they have made some real improvements to their signs and displays. They also have an ample selection of local honey along with a nice mix of seasonal fruits and vegetables at a good price, typically lower than the New Leaf community market down the road. They also have local eggs and potted herbs for sale. Quality will vary depending on the time of day and the year. Many products appear to be supermarket surplus with the stickers still attached, so be prepared to pick and choose based on freshness. -
Bradley’s 4-star review: A locally-owned, well-stocked, expertly-staffed place for home, garden, and lots in-between. From hard-core contractors to beachside vacationers, Ocean Shore Hardware (Ace) is great. They have decorations for the holidays, good coffee and kitchen items, hefty grills, made in USA rubber boots, tools galore. These are the kind of places that make communities run smoothly. The Hassett family has a real winner here. Kudos for making this a place where all sorts of people can feel comfortable!
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