thereadbaron

Best places to visit within a hour ? Not including San Francisco. We're flying up from long beach to see some redwoods and my husband has always wanted to stay at the ritz there. Can I get some restaurants, parks, cultural activities that would be appealing in that area? I do t just want to eat at thE hotel ...100 dollar lunches don't cut it when all he eats is grilled cheese

Thanks!

tomfuller

Last time we went through Half Moon Bay, we went south and took a little detour over to Pescadero for some groceries and then stayed at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse HI Hostel.
Stop at Butano State Park to see some big Coast Redwoods. Hike over the sand dunes at Ano Nuevo State Park.

tracys2cents

Wow a 4 year old who doesn't like the car but likes restaurants and cultural activities?

www.mainstgrillhmb.com

The San Benito B&B has a bar & deli off to the side and the deli has sandwiches and salads. The bread is homemade and delicious and you can sit outside on the patio.

Barbara's just north of HMBay is set beside the fishing harbor and your son might enjoy watching the boats & fishermen.

Pillar I think is the name of the brewery, casual dining and also an outdoor patio.

Rastaguytoday

Downtown Half Moon Bay has lots of shops, restaurants, etc....

Try these local links.

http://www.half-moon-bay.ca.us/

http://www.experiencehalfmoonbay.com...c-main-street/

bluestar

Here are a few things I can think of in the area. If your kid hates the car, not sure how visiting these places would work out especially since most roads are twisty-turny & up-down in this area.

Harley Farms (baby goats & cheese)
http://www.harleyfarms.com/

Phipps Country Store & Farm (best selection of dried beans you've ever seen)
http://www.phippscountry.com/visitorguide.htm

Duarte's in Pescadero (old-timey cafe & tavern - great soups)
http://www.duartestavern.com/

Mercado & Taqueria De Amigos (Good Mexican food in a divey gas station/convenience store across the street from Duarte's_
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mercado-and-...igos-pescadero

San Gregorio State Beach (take a picnic and relax)
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=529

Pigeon Point Lighthouse (beautiful old light station in dramatic location)
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=533

Año Nuevo State Reserve (elephant seals)
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523

San Mateo memorial Park (old-growth redwoods w/ easy hiking trails and camping)
http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/portal/...tcurrchannel=1

Sam McDonald Park (not far from Memorial Park but more remote/rugged hiking in the redwoods)
http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/portal/...tcurrchannel=1

La Honda (strange little hamlet in the redwoods on Hwy 84 near above-mentioned parks)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Honda,_California

Pacifica Pier (in a town north of HMB - just a fishing pier you can walk out on basically)
http://www.pacificapier.com/

Moss Beach Distillery (restaurant in a town just north of HMB; plays up the haunted angle; great setting - food generally okay)
http://www.mossbeachdistillery.com/

The Filoli Estate (grand Georgian House & gardens; 'over the hill' from HMB)
http://www.filoli.org/

sf7307

Rasta, I just love your description of La Honda.

janisj

Just print out bluestar's excellent post/links. It has everything/everyplace you need to know for a short visit to the area.

J62

Be prepared for cold air and water. I was just at Half Moon and people were bundled in long sleeves. Water temp was about 60 degrees.

mztery

I'm wondering what redwoods are near HMB - won't your 3 year old have a bad time on THAT drive?

And a friend who works at the HMB Ritz (who worked at others before)has said that for all its marketing, it doesn't feel like a real RC.

J62

There is a park called Purisma Creek preserve about 15min from HMB with some nice redwood groves. There are some within 1/2mi walk of the parking lot but you need to walk a bit further to see any of the denser groves. It's all new growth. Some big trees but no giants.

Big Basin park off Skyline further south towards Santa Cruz has bigger redwoods, and they are very accessible right from the parking lot, including a huge fallen tree you can climb on (or at least you used to be able to).

Shar

anywhere near LaHonda has lots of Redwoods too. Also Butano state Park whichh I believe is closer than Big basin and of Course san Mateo Memorial park which is a wonderful County park ......

mztery

I am learning so much from this thread...we rarely drive to that area and tend to go north to see redwoods, or else go to HMB and hang around there. Good to know.

NoCaliGal

Perhaps put your 4 yr old in the middle back seat so he/she can actually see something?
I'd stop at every beach I can on highway one; each one is different!
Going south from SF on the coast, on Skyline Blvd, there's FORT FUNSTON, near Daly City, that has hanggliders launching themselves off the cliffs. It's so windy and cold now, they should be flying around like crazy?
see the park link at
http://www.parksconservancy.org/visi...t-funston.html

thereadbaron

I've been so busy chasing 4 yr old I just got back to this. You guys rock!!!

He has some sensory problems, which cause him to loathe the car. Loves hiking and eating at a booth in a restaurant. Don't ask me

Dayenu

Santa Cruz beach boardwalk, and the train to redwoods from the beach - does your 4-y.o. likes non-car rides?

thereadbaron

LOVES trains. Where is that?

sf7307

http://www.roaringcamp.com/