Lady’s Guide to a California Road Trip in Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay

I love a good California road trip, and after 4 days in Yosemite I’m excited my current one is taking me to the coast. Visit California has sponsored me to travel to Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, two places I spent a lot of time as a child. I’m looking forward to going back and sharing all the best places with you.

Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay

South of San Francisco on Northern California’s coast, Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay are known for their beaches, surfing, and laid-back lifestyle. Both are full of natural beauty and great local produce and seafood.

Day 1: Santa Cruz

After a 3-hour drive from Yosemite, I arrive in Santa Cruz ready to explore.

West Cliff Inn

I start by checking into my hotel, the West Cliff Inn. It’s set in a beautiful 19th-century Victorian house right by the beach, and my spacious room has ocean views, seaside decor, and a spa bathtub.

There’s even a daily happy hour with wine and hors d’oeuvres, and beach-cruiser bikes to borrow.

West Cliff Drive

After getting settled, I head out to see the city. Going along West Cliff Drive, I take in the wharf jutting into Monterey Bay and the many surfers on the water.

I also pass by the Surfing Museum, which is in a lighthouse and chronicles the history of the sport.

At the end of West Cliff Drive, I find myself at Natural Bridges State Beach. A rock arch stands dramatically in the surf, and pelicans fish all around it.

Elsewhere, huge numbers of seasonal monarch butterflies and tide pools draw locals and visitors to see the wildlife.

Walton Lighthouse

At sunset, I head to Santa Cruz Harbor to see the Walton Lighthouse at the end of Seabright Beach.

I spent countless hours in the water here as a child (how I braved the cold of the Pacific Ocean is a mystery to me), and coming back is a trip down memory lane.

Evening in Downtown Santa Cruz

In the evening I head downtown to have dinner at Gabriella Cafe. This Italian restaurant has a romantic ambiance and good relationships with local farmers.

A starter of Brussels sprouts shows off the area’s produce, and a main of artichoke ravioli reveals how well the chef uses it in Italian cooking.

After dinner I walk across the street to the Penny Ice Creamery, where they make their sweet treats in-house from scratch using locally-farmed and organic ingredients.

I order dark chocolate sorbet and cookies and cream, both of which are sinfully rich and delicious.

Day 2: Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay

The next morning I’m up early and off to see more of Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz Wharf

I start with a walk along the wharf, which is the longest wooden wharf on the west coast of the United States. It offers great views of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk amusement park and has lots of shops and restaurants.

It’s also home to sea lions. Their barking alerts me to their presence, and as I look down into the water I see huge numbers sunbathing on wooden planks.

Historic Houses in Santa Cruz

After walking to the end of the wharf and back, I drive downtown to see some of the historic houses in Santa Cruz.

Built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these beauties line streets like Walnut Avenue.

I walk along the stretch between Center Street and Rincon Street, taking in the Eastlake, Stick-Eastlake, Queen Ann, and Colonial Revival gems as I go.

Elsewhere in the city, I admire the houses on Ocean View Avenue. This street has a lot of beautiful historic homes, too. From Broadway to Windham, I take in grand mansions built by wealthy Bay Area residents in times past.

The city planning department has self-guided tours available to download from its website, so there’s a lot of information available about each house if you want to learn more.

Capitola

I end my time in Santa Cruz with a trip to neighboring Capitola. Right on Monterey Bay, this seaside gem is known for its pretty beachfront and shops.

I’m here to have lunch at the famous Gayle’s Bakery. This order-at-the-counter place is buzzing, and there are so many options for savory and sweet dishes that it takes me forever to decide what I want.

Eventually I go with a vegan wrap and pumpkin cheesecake. The latter is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.

Half Moon Bay

After lunch I head to Half Moon Bay. The hour-long drive takes me past stunning coastal scenery on California’s iconic Highway 1, and I arrive full of images of rock formations and cliff-side beaches in my head.

Beach House Hotel

I check into my room at the Beach House Hotel, where a spacious suite offers views of the Pacific Ocean and Pillar Point Harbor. I love how the windows overlook sailboats and pelicans.

After checking in, I have a quick dip in the outdoor hot tub. Then I get ready for dinner and walk down the beach to Sam’s Chowder House.

Sam’s Chowder House

Dinner is a seafood feast. Sam’s famous lobster roll is divine, and crab cakes and halibut go down a treat. It’s all delicious against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve seen in a long time.

Day 3: Half Moon Bay to San Francisco

The next morning I’m up and off on a whirlwind itinerary of Half Moon Bay.

Granola’s Coffee House

I start with breakfast at Granola’s Coffee House. A bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese is the perfect way to start the day, and I love the rustic wooden tables.

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Patches

From here it’s a short drive to two of Half Moon Bay’s pumpkin patches. This city is famous for them, and I used to come here every year as a kid to pick out my Halloween pumpkin.

I start at Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch, which is bursting with pumpkins and gourds in all shapes, sizes, and colors. There are buckets and bathtubs full of them, and it makes for a photogenic atmosphere.

Next door, I visit Andreotti Family Farm. Smaller and quieter, this place has an abundance of pumpkins and a big corn maze out back.

Downtown Half Moon Bay

From the pumpkin patches, I drive downtown. The main street and surrounding area are full of great stores, cafes, and restaurants.

I start at SWEET55, a shop making artisanal Swiss chocolates. The owner, Ursula, is Swiss, and she talks me through the chocolate-making process and gives me some samples.

The chocolate is absolutely amazing, and I can’t help buying a box to take with me when I go.

From SWEET55 I head to lunch at Pasta Moon. The spacious dining room is just the spot for caprese salad and fresh linguini with ahi tuna. The local produce shines through every dish, and the lunch is as good as the chocolate was.

After lunch I finish off my trip to Half Moon Bay with a wine tasting at Barterra Winery. This family-run place on Main Street is set back in a pretty courtyard and serves Italian varietals in the tasting room.

I’m impressed by the wines and tempted to stay all afternoon talking with Chris, one of the owners.

But my California road trip in Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay has come to an end, and it’s time to head to San Francisco to return my car at the airport. My time in California isn’t over, though. Stay tuned for more to come…

This post is sponsored by Visit California.

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