Destination: Half Moon Bay,
California

Events/Activities

Light Up The Sky Fourth of July A nonprofit corporation composed entirely of non-paid volunteers who work to raise donations. All of the donations go to the purchase and production of the ONLY fireworks display on the San Mateo County Coast, free to all, a parade float, and an art and education contest for more than 2,200 school children. Coastside Fireworks Spring Chamarita The festival takes its name from a complex Portuguese folk dance that is part of the celebration. A holiday of thanksgiving dating back to Queen Isabel of Portugal, it has 100 year tradition in Half Moon Bay. Also known as The Holy Ghost Festival, it is held on the 6th Sunday after Easter in Pescadero, and on the 7th Sunday after Easter in Half Moon Bay. Festivities include a Catholic Mass, a parade with the annual Queen, entertainment in the form of a carnival, a barbecue, auction, and dance. Summer Fourth of July See the parade! At noon in Half Moon Bay, kids and grown-ups line up with their horses, ponies, antique autos, carriages, and decorated bicycles and tricycles for an unforgettable parade down Main Street. Half Moon Bay Coastal Flower Market Held on the 3rd Sunday of May through September from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Market themes, entertainment, and demonstrations throughout the day. Wide variety of flowers and flowering plants that are all grown on the San Mateo County coastside. The markets are known for the variety and quality of floriculture products. Fall Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival This festival is a major event for the Bay Area. Half Moon Bay, Pumpkin Capital of the West, hosts the pumpkin weigh-off on Columbus Day, which is always the Monday before the Festival. The Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. See top artists and craftspersons from all over the country selling their wares. On Saturday at noon, the Great Pumpkin Parade with children in costume, floats, and jugglers. Pumpkin carving and pie-eating contests, wine tasting, and great foods to eat. Winter Whale Watching In December and January, observe gray whales migrating close to the shoreline from their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic to their warm, shallow, winter breeding area in Mexican waters. They return in March and April with their calves. Look for a "blow", a double-plumed misty jet of vapor, and whale "footprints," smooth patches of water left by the powerful tails as the huge mammals swim just below the surface of a choppy ocean. Winter Flower Market Held on the 3rd Saturday of November through April from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at La Piazza on the corner of Main Street and Miramontes Avenues. Market themes, entertainment, and demonstrations throughout the day. Wide variety of flowers and flowering plants. All year (except early December) Elephant Seals/Año Nuevo State Reserve The site of the largest mainland breeding colony of northern elephant seals and an unusual variety of natural resources. Advance reservations are required only during breeding season (December to March) when, for the protection of both visitors and seals, docents lead walks to a distance of 20 feet from the huge mammals. Visitors may see two-ton bulls in fierce combat for the right to dominate a harem, a pup born, or mating. From May onwards, visitors can enjoy an occasional docent-led walk or wander freely and talk with roving naturalists on the Point.

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