Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
from a sheltered and heated outdoor patio looking out over the bay, complemented by live
music on the weekends.
At the western end of Pillar Point is Mavericks , a serious surf break that attracts the
world's top big-wave riders to battle its huge, steep and very dangerous waves. The annual
Mavericks surf contest, called on a few days' notice when the swells get huge, is usually
held between December and March.
SCENIC DRIVE: HIGHWAY 84
Inland, large stretches of the hills are protected in a patchwork of parks that, just like the
coast, remain remarkably untouched despite the huge urban populations only a short
drive to the north and east. Heading east toward Palo Alto, Hwy 84 winds its way through
thick stands of redwood trees and several local parks with mountain biking and hiking op-
portunities.
A mile in from San Gregorio State Beach (per car $8) on Hwy 1, kick off your shoes
and stomp your feet to live bluegrass, Celtic and folk music on the weekends at the land-
mark San Gregorio General Store ( www.sangregoriostore.com ) , and check out the wooden
bar singed by area branding irons.
Eight miles east is the tiny township of La Honda , former home to One Flew Over the
Cuckoo's Nestauthor Ken Kesey, and the launching spot for his 1964 psychedelic bus trip
immortalized in Tom Wolfe's The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Housed in an old black-
smith's shop, Apple Jack's (
650-747-0331) is a rustic, down-home bar with lots of local
color.
To stretch your legs in the redwoods, Sam McDonald Park ( 650-879-0238; ht-
tp://parks.smcgov.org/sam-mcdonald-park ; parking $6), two miles south of La Honda on
Pescadero Rd, has a number of worthy trails and a secluded hike-to cabin ( ht-
tp://lp.sierraclub.org/hikers_hut/hikers_hut.asp ;
adult $25-30, child 2-10 $10) available for rent.
Half Moon Bay
Developed as a beach resort back in the Victorian era, Half Moon Bay is the main coastal
town between San Francisco (28 miles north) and Santa Cruz (40 miles south). Its long
stretches of beach still attract rambling weekenders and hearty surfers. Half Moon Bay
spreads out along Hwy 1 (called Cabrillo Hwy in town), but despite the development, it's
still relatively small. The main drag is a five-block stretch called Main St lined with shops,
Search WWH ::




Custom Search