Half Moon Bay is a coastal city on the Pacific Ocean in Northern California, in western San Mateo County, about 25–30 miles south of San Francisco.

Where Half Moon Bay Is

  • Half Moon Bay sits on the San Francisco Peninsula, along Highway 1, facing the Pacific Ocean.
  • It lies in the westernmost part of San Mateo County, between forested hills inland and scenic coastline to the west.
  • Driving time from San Francisco is roughly 45 minutes, depending on traffic and route.

Extra context

  • The name comes from the bay’s semi-circular, “half-moon” shape along the coast.
  • The area is known for the nearby big‑wave surfing spot Mavericks, just north at Pillar Point Harbor.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.