WHAT'S NEW HALF MOON BAY COASTSIDE, CALIFORNIA

The Half Moon Bay Coastside, located approximately 35 minutes south of San Francisco, is a vibrant coastal region ideal for a spa getaway, a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend or even a memorable whale watching trip for the entire family! The temperate climate makes it ideal for winter adventures ranging from surf lessons to visiting elephant seals and even holding baby goats.

To plan a trip, visit www.visithalfmoonbay.org and also download iCoastside to access information on the region’s cozy inns and luxury coastal resorts, renowned restaurants, farm visits, golfing, wine tasting, fishing, whale watching, surfing and much more.

Surfing

Half Moon Bay is home to the world-famous surfing spot Mavericks, located one-half mile off of the coast by Pillar Point Harbor. Mavericks is considered to be one of the most challenging surfing areas in the world, attracting the most elite surfers to brave the waves for the annual contest, most recently renamed "Titans of Mavericks.” The official contest window is open November 1, 2015 through March 31, 2016, and during this time, the organizers monitor weather conditions and swell size in order to give competitors 48 hours notice to make their way to Half Moon Bay. Swells at Mavericks typically need to reach 30-40 feet in order for the contest to take place. The official contestant line-up was announced in October and includes big wave surfers from all over the globe including Brazil, Hawaii and South Africa, as well as many local surfers from Pacifica, Santa Cruz and San Francisco. For more information, visit www.titansofmavericks.com.

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 January and running 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. The full round-trip migration from the Bering Sea to the Baja calving lagoons is approximately 10,000 miles, the longest known migration for any mammal. Gray whales move at a steady speed of about five miles per hour, and most can be spotted in an area that extends from the kelp beds (about 3/4 miles from the shoreline) out to the horizon. 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:
Half Moon Bay Sportfishing & Tackle, (650) 728-3377
Huli Cat Sportfishing, (650) 726-2926
Riptide Sportfishing, (650) 728-8433

Baby Goats Arrive for Spring!

There’s nothing quite so reminiscent of springtime than a field full of damp-nosed baby goats chasing each other around. Make an idyllic day trip along the coast to the tasty farming town of Pescadero, where you can find the restored Victorian barns of Harley Farms Goat Dairy and their quaint cheese shop, featuring international award-winning farmstead chevre and many more delectable cheeses. Take a behind-the-scenes tour and meet the baby goats that romp around the grounds, or simply pop in for picnic goodies. For tour reservations, call (650) 879-0480 or visit www.harleyfarms.com. 205 North Street, Pescadero.