Is that too long a stay? Can you do a day trip to wine country from here?
We're looking for a beachfront resort where we can hang out on the beach and read and also have easy access to restaurants, etc. We have much more experience with S. Calif. beaches than northern California so if I'm out of my mind, please say so.
Any input on the Beach House? We stayed at the one in Hermosa Beach last summer and loved it and the service.
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The NY Times just did (May 31) an article on "36 hours in Half Moon Bay." URL is http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/31/travel/31HOUR.html .

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Dawn, since I reside in San Francisco, I can't comment on a stay in your intended hotel. However, do be aware that Half Moon Bay is a small town. It has a nice "old town" area with restaurants, shops and bakeries. Half Moon Bay would be a reasonable place to locate yourself if you wanted to do some daytripping and hiking to the various beaches and state parks in the area. If you wish to go Ano Nuevo Beach, famous for its sea lions, call ahead, beacuse there are restrictions on visitor entries during certain times due to mating, pupping, etc. (the sea lions, not you!) As far as going up to Napa or Sonoma from there, you might find the drive kind of taxing.

Unsure of your intentions, but you should know that the N Calif beaches are quite different than S Calif. For one thing, the water is freezing and often it is overcast and cool for a good part of the day, especially before September. But, there are times when the weather is awesome, it is just a bigger gamble than in the south. I think HMB allows dogs unleashed on the beach, but you will have to check elsewhere. The wine country can also be relaxing and is condusive to getting in quiet time to read and hike. You might consider splitting your time. I live in the area, but if it were me I would spend one day in HMB and 3 days in Sonoma County/Napa Valley, but I like that area better than the N. Calif beach areas. Just my opinion.

We spent two nights there for an anniversary and decided it was one too many nights.I like the area, but one day and night is probably enough for the amount of things to see and do. We enjoyed watchig the Maverick surfing competition in the winter. It is pretty chilly for sitting on the beach. we have stayed at a couple B&B's (no info on the Beach House).

I saw the heading and said to myself, "4 days in Half Moon Bay? Now that's too long." So to answer your first question, yes 4 days is too long. The drive to the Wine country is ok if you are used to driving a few hours there and back otherwise it's too long.
It's too cold to just hang out there.

Dawn--if you're looking for a quiet, out of the way place and you don't care much if you see the sun or not, then HMB is ok. However, you can get the same experience at one of the beach communities north of SF and be closer to the wine country.

HMB for four days would make me crazy! How about Moonstone Beach in Cambria and a tour of Hearst Castle--lots of little shops and restaurants in town. Or Bodega Bay on the Sonoma Coast---wildlife and you can easily drive to the wine country. Water will be too cold for swimming. Carmel is another thought but the hotels there tend to be in town and not on the beach.

Half Moon Bay is alright, but it's a little funky for my taste.
I also recommend Sonoma Coast, which will be closer to the wineries.

I agree with the previous posts--4 days in HMB is probably too long. We stayed at the Beach House last year and it was nice. It is right along the road, however, so it can be a little noisy. Overall, though, we were very happy with it. Two other suggestions I have on places to stay would be the new Ritz Carlton which is further down the coast--it is a very large hotel but very nice. My favorite place in the area is the Seal Cove Inn. Karen Browne, who writes the Karen Browne Guides to Charming Inns and B&Bs owns it and it is a very nice little spot.

The Ritz Carlton is a nice place for a romantic getaway. Right on the water and backs up to a golf course. But there's not much else in the immediate area and wouldn't probably be the place for kids.

We did 5 night at the Beach House last summer. I agree that there isn't much to do in Half Moon Bay but we went there just to relax. We lucked out with nice weather as normally it is always cold when we are there. Liked the Beach House and just hung out at the pool and hot tub and took in the ocean views. Did some walking along various beaches and went out to dinner at night. Ritz Carlton is a nice setting. Golf was the main activity for us. I agree with the above poster on Karen Brown's Seal Cove Inn. Lovely bit B and B and even though it is not directly on the water, it is beyond a lovely setting and has everything going for it. We are going back to the Beach House again this August and not the Seal Cove Inn only because we enjoy the pool and hot tub.