Half Moon Bay is a charming California seaside retreat that draws visitors for its famous "Maverick" big wave surfing, towering coastal redwoods, and rustic pumpkin farms. Located along PCH and just 25 minutes south of San Francisco Airport, Half Moon Bay is an accessible weekend getaway.
We explore the sheer-cliff coastline views, marine life, and redwood groves. We also sample the delicious cuisine that ranges from breweries, fresh-caught seafood, to Peruvian. Many of the dishes are crafted from local fish and produce. We stay at the Beach House Hotel, which offers stunning hotel suites with views of the bay.
Where to stay:
The Beach House Hotel is like a home away from home retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. As the name suggests, it is situated along the beach with white water views of the glistening harbor. Turn down your bed at night and the only sounds you can hear are gentle crashing waves and lighthouse. âThe suites come complete with a wood burning fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, and relaxing balcony. Outside the property is a scenic beach path that winds along the coast for miles, perfect for running and biking.
Where to Eat
âSam's Chowder House - A classic New England style seafood restaurant offering a seafood-lover's dream menu with stunning views of the harbor. The salmon, oysters, branzino, and lobster rolls are standouts.
La Costanera Peruvian Restaurant: Take a culinary trip to Peru with a menu of Peruvian favorites such as lomo saltado, and culinary delights like the pescado a lo macho, made with fresh caught seafood. Pair it with the crafted cocktails, including a pisco sour tasting flight!
Half Moon Bay Brew Co: Enjoy local brews on the patio and mouth watering seafood stew, fish tacos, and save room for desert because they have "beermisu" (that's tiramisu but made from stout beer). Try the pumpkin ale which is made from local sugar pumpkins.
Things to do: If you are a nature lover, you will find no shortage of activities here in Half Moon Bay.
Kayak the Harbor: We recommend getting out on the water and renting kayaks from Half Moon Bay Kayaks. You can easily spend hours kayaking the harbor over to the Maverick wave beach, famous for the XXL waves. Half Moon Bay Kayaks: http://www.hmbkayak.com/
Bike own the Bay:
Half Moon Bay Kayaks also has bikes for rent and we recommend taking them down the coastal path towards Half Moon Bay State Beach. There are many stunning cliff-side views along the way, as well as surfers at "Surfer's Beach". Missoula is a college town bisected by the Clark Fork River and jam packed with the perfect blend of adventure and culture. This city is not what you would normally expect when you think of Montana, as there are so many surprises. Sure, it has the quintessential "Big Sky" nature and a variety of outdoor activities, but it is also a vibrant, youthful town that offers cuisine from around the world, dive bars, river surfing (yes the river has a wave large enough for surfing), cocktail lounges, and concert venues - all of which rival the ones found in large metropolises. Best of all, Missoula features a walkable, charming, and historic downtown where the sights are within reach. We explore the top things to do, including white water river rafting, mountain biking, and hiking, as well as the best places to eat on a weekend trip to Missoula. Missoula Travel Vlog: Where to stay: Residence Inn by Marriott Missoula Downtown Located on the site of the old Missoula Mercantile Building, the Residence Inn by Marriott Missoula offers comfortable suites that are pet friendly and walkable to the downtown shops. Where to Eat: 1. Basal: Healthy and fresh fast-casual salads and broth made to order: https://www.basalhospitality.com/ 2. Plonk: Fun cocktail bar with delicious eats: https://plonkwine.com/ 3. Bayern Brewing - Enjoy traditional Bavarian cuisine and beer in a restaurant that features creations from a German chef: https://www.bayernbrewery.com/ 4. Big Dipper Ice Cream: There is usually a huge line around the block for the Big Dipper. This classic neighborhood creamery offers unique flavors like cardamom, chai tea, and huckleberry. https://www.bigdippericecream.com/ 5. 1889 - Named after the year that Montana became a state, 1889 offers standout cocktails, steak, seafood, and more. You can't come to Montana without trying the beef, and the filet mignon is grilled to perfection here at 1889. https://1889missoula.com/ 6. Sweet Peaks Ice Cream - This ice cream shop includes classic and specialty flavors. Definitely try the unique favorites Griz Tracks or Flathead Cherry Chocolate. https://www.sweetpeaksicecream.com/ Outdoor Adventures: Montana River Guides - Get ready for nature's rollercoaster along the Clark Fork River! The experienced guides take you on a memorable adventure where you get a chance to join the "Alberton Swim Team" as you navigate the class 3 - 4 rapids. Book your white water rapid adventure: https://montanariverguides.com/ Mountain Bike Rentals - Missoula is a bike friendly destination with a plethora of trails along the Riverfront park and nearby mountains: https://www.spotteddogcycles.com/ KettleHouse Amphitheater - Check out the lineup at the KettleHouse which is an outdoor amphitheater nestled in the hillsides. During our trip, we saw Death Cab For Cutie who played live for the first time in over a year: https://logjampresents.com/venue/kettlehouse-amphitheater/ M Trail: One of the most famous hikes in Montana takes you on a journey above the city for bird's eye view of Missoula and the University of Montana! https://destinationmissoula.org/todo/hike-m National Bison Range: A Montana trip is never complete without viewing the wildlife. Venture onto the trails and ride along through the nature reserve to view the bison, antelope, and eagles: https://destinationmissoula.org/blog/national-bison-range-day-trip Garden of One Thousand Buddhas: A little slice of Tibet here in Montana, this meditative garden is filled with a thousand buddha statues. It is a spiritual place to walk around and reflect: https://destinationmissoula.org/blog/garden-of-one-thousand-buddhas Neighborhood Finds 1. University of Montana - Missoula is a college town and the University of Montana is the heartbeat of the community. This park-like campus includes the stadium for the University of Montana football, a venue that also hosts concerts. Go Griz! 2. Missoula Hip District - This section of the downtown is fun and funky! It's lined with vintage clothing shops, new age stores, and street art including one of Kurt Cobain in a donut. 3. Clark Fork River Riverfront Park - A scenic place to picnic, bike, or even river surf. There's even a foot bridge over the river for the best views. 4. Missoula Farmer's Market - Catch the market on Saturday mornings located on the north end of Higgins Ave for everything from local produce, mini flower bouquets, homemade kombucha, and artisan crafts. The market is a local tradition since 1972 and also features food trucks and live music. https://missoulafarmersmarket.localfoodmarketplace.com/ We hope you get a chance to check out Missoula to experience the arts, culture, and outdoor adventures. Thanks to Destination Missoula for helping us make this trip possible and check out their site for itinerary information:
https://destinationmissoula.org/explore
Camarillo is located in Ventura County only 60 miles north of Los Angeles and the perfect location for a rustic agrotourism weekend adventure. Upon first glance, you may notice sprawling farmland and the Camarillo Premium Outlets located off the freeway. However, dig a little deeper and you will experience California's Californio history and agricultural heritage.
We visited for a three day weekend to enjoy the agricultural activities such as U-Pick em farms, Farmer's Market, local restaurants which offer fresh flavors of California. Camarillo is also a central and accessible location to stay for trips to California's hotspot destinations such as Santa Barbara, Ojai, and Malibu - which are all within a 30-45 minute drive away. Also, the next town over is Oxnard if you are looking to add some beach action into your trip. Camarillo Weekend Getaway Travel Vlog:
Where to stay:
Sonesta Select Camarillo: A pet-friendly hotel with spacious suites for the whole family. Our suite had a patio that opened up to a shared enclosed courtyard filled with grass, a pool, and fire pits - the perfect place to lounge or walk your dog on your trip. Best of all, it's located in a shopping center filled with restaurants, coffee shops, and a theater all within a stone's throw from the lobby.
Camarillo Ranch
This 19th-century ranch has a rich history and elegant presence. The Queen Anne Victorian-style architecture estate was once owned by Adolfo Camarillo, the founder of Camarillo. The grounds of the estate are filled with rustic California beauty and rose gardens. Visitors can enjoy docent tours of the estate, attend events, and it's even a popular wedding venue!
Camarillo Farmer's Market:
Located in the Old Town of Camarillo, the Farmer's Market is a Saturday morning tradition. Here, we pick out baby carrots, fresh strawberries, and handmade dog treats. |
Published Travel ArticlesWelcome to Run The Atlas!
We are two adventurous young professionals who turned our passion for travel into a blog to help others travel more.
|