Half Moon Bay

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CA-1
2026 Americas 50 - Night Attractions

CA-1

6.7
4.8/5
499 reviews

CA-1 is a highly iconic coastal self-drive route on the West Coast of the United States, stretching over 1,000 km along the Pacific coastline and connecting coastal towns from the San Francisco Bay Area, Monterey, Big Sur, San Simeon, and Morro Bay all the way to Los Angeles. Its highlight is concentrated in the Big Sur section between Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and San Simeon: the road winds along steep cliffs, with the surging Pacific Ocean on one side and mountains and redwood forests on the other. There are many scenic parking areas along the way where you can pull over at any time to enjoy the sea breeze and watch the waves crash against the cliffs. There are several highly recognizable scenes along this section: the Bixby Bridge, which spans the canyon, is an elegantly designed concrete arch bridge, and there are almost always vehicles parked at the bridgehead for photos; McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park drops directly from the cliff top onto the beach in the cove, making it a rare beach waterfall in California; the sand at Pfeiffer Beach has a faint purple hue due to the weathering of manganese garnet in the cliffs; further south in the San Simeon area, groups of northern elephant seals can be seen sunbathing on the beach year-round, and you can also visit Hearst Castle on the mountain nearby. The Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey at the northern end and the town of Carmel-By-The-Sea also have their own unique charm.

Monterey County · 98.4 km from Half Moon Bay
California Academy of Sciences
No. 17 of Family-friendly Attractions in United States

California Academy of Sciences

7.3
4.7/5
944 reviews

Explore the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, where you can experience a unique combination of an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum all in one place. Through interactive exhibits, captivating performances, and educational programs, you'll embark on an exciting scientific adventure. Steinhart Aquarium The Steinhart Aquarium is one of the most biodiverse and interactive aquariums on Earth. Home to nearly 60,000 living animals representing over 800 unique species, visitors can explore both underwater and terrestrial habitats here. From species not displayed anywhere else in the world to cutting-edge research on little-known marine ecosystems, a visit to the Steinhart Aquarium is filled with discovery. Morrison Planetarium The exhibitions at Morrison Planetarium are driven by scientific data, leading to observations, discoveries, and theories about our universe. Every star, planet, spacecraft, or galaxy encountered in the planetarium reflects its real-world counterpart. When this virtual cosmos is projected onto Morrison's 75-foot-diameter screen, the dome itself seems to vanish, creating a uniquely immersive experience. Osher Rainforest Inside the dome, a magnificent neo-tropical rainforest stretches 90 feet high. Experience an adventure with 1,600+ living plant and animal species, including sun beetles that resemble taxis, hardworking leafcutter ants, and a winding Amazon tree boa. Descend four floors by elevator from the canopy level, overlooking the flooded forests of the Amazon. At every stage of the journey, you'll come face-to-face with the breathtaking animals that inhabit these forests. Kimball Natural History Museum Drawing on over 160 years of research from the Academy, the Kimball Natural History Museum highlights our planet's uniqueness in surprising ways. Discover the fascinating role of color in nature, compare fossils of our early human relatives, and marvel at one-of-a-kind specimens from the Academy's record-breaking scientific collections—all while strolling beneath the skeletons of some of Earth's most massive creatures.

San Francisco · 34.2 km from Half Moon Bay
Golden Gate Park
2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Golden Gate Park

7
4.7/5
361 reviews

Golden Gate Park is a large urban green space in San Francisco, covering approx. 1,017 acres and stretching approx. 4.8 km from east to west, spanning the Richmond District and Sunset District in the western part of San Francisco. This land was originally barren coastal sand dunes. After continuous tree planting and sand stabilization efforts starting in the 1870s, it gradually became the large, tree-lined park it is today. The park features rich, layered landscapes where cultural facilities and natural scenery intertwine. The eastern section concentrates cultural venues such as the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young Museum, and the Japanese Tea Garden, while the northern section features historic buildings like the Conservatory of Flowers. The park's natural and recreational areas are equally diverse. Blue Heron Lake surrounds the central Strawberry Hill, and pedal boats can be rented on the lake. In the western part of the park stand two historic windmills, the Dutch Windmill and the Murphy Windmill, with tulip gardens nearby. The Bison Paddock has existed in the park since the late 19th century, and you can still see the herd of bison active in the paddock today. Spreckels Lake is a gathering place for model sailboat enthusiasts, and exquisite miniature sailboats can often be seen sailing on the water. The park also features a disc golf course, a lawn bowling club, and a skate park, with cycling paths running throughout the park.

San Francisco · 34.3 km from Half Moon Bay

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Experiences you can't miss in Half Moon Bay

Featured Culture & history in Half Moon Bay

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Alcatraz City Cruises: Official Alcatraz Island Admission Ticket + City Guide
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FromKRW 69,088
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA): Entry Ticket
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63 booked
Free cancellation
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FromKRW 40,687
San Francisco Explorer Pass (Custom Attraction Pass)
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FromKRW 153,662
Golden Gate Bridge Guided E-Bike Tour with Lunch at Local Hotspot
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5.0/5
· 11 reviews
English
Free cancellation
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FromKRW 163,536

Featured Outdoor & sports in Half Moon Bay

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1-day tour of CA-1, 17 Mile Dr and Carmel Beach in San Francisco
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Duration: 10 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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FromKRW 204,082
1-day tour to Monterey Peninsula in small group
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FromKRW 195,012
From San Francisco: Classic Highway 1 Tour | Stanford, Carmel & Big Sur
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 11.1 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromKRW 204,082
San Francisco Day Tour | Redwood Forest Steam Train, Santa Cruz Wharf & Rainbow Houses
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FromKRW 138,776
Redwood Forest Steam Train and Santa Cruz Coast Day Tour
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Duration: 6 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromKRW 311,475
Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rentals - Very Close To The Bridge!
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4.1/5
· 15 reviews
Duration: 2–8 hrs
Free cancellation
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FromKRW 61,326

Featured Day tours in Half Moon Bay

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Half Moon Bay Family Friendly Guided E-bike Tour
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Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
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FromKRW 149,908
San Francisco Sonoma Plaza + Napa Valley Winery Tasting Day Tour Including Wine Tasting
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5.0/5
· 4 reviews· 24 booked
Duration: 4.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromKRW 211,991
San Francisco 1-day tour [Golden Gate Bridge/Lombard Street/Fisherman's Wharf]
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 6.4 hrs
English
Free cancellation
FromKRW 178,678
San Francisco's Full city 1 Day Hop on Hop off Bus tour
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3.4/5
· 133 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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FromKRW 61,326
BEST of Monterey Peninsula & Carmel-by-the-Sea Small Group Tour
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Duration: 8.3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
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FromKRW 160,810

More things to do

Half Moon Bay Today's weatherClear 13-20℃
Half Moon Bay weather for the next 2 days11/8: 12-20℃, 11/9: 12-20℃

Free things to do in Half Moon Bay

What travelers say about Half Moon Bay

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YoYo_1I8Q7O5OMay 1, 2026
5.0
Driving along California's Highway 1, my hands were aching from gripping the wheel for so long. The coastal section was winding and twisting, with waves crashing white against the cliffs below. I stopped by the roadside to watch the seals; those lazy guys just rolled on their backs, not moving an inch. The Big Sur Bridge was quite photogenic, but I was too busy watching the road to cross it. We kept stopping and starting, turning into every viewpoint we saw to enjoy the breeze. Just as the gas tank was almost empty, we arrived in town; a burger and a Coke were the perfect comfort food.

CA-1

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_TI***l0April 6, 2026
5.0
Filoli Garden House was absolutely a bang for a buck! It was so stunning with various kinds of flower during peak blooming season of springtime. Historic House was amazing as well with ethereal interior design, especially the gorgeous arts of floral arrangement in different vases.

Filoli Historic House & Garden

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泰迪小熊September 6, 2024
5.0
Came here on September 25, 2017. There are many public beaches along Highway 1, and the Half Moon Bay area is probably the best. This is a long beach, stretching for 7 or 8 kilometers; the beach is flat and the sand is small, so the sand surface here is wide and flat. Coupled with the beautiful curve of Half Moon Bay, the whole beach is very photogenic. The only drawback is that there are few recreational facilities here, and naturally there are not many tourists. Therefore, this place is more suitable for strolling, daydreaming and sunbathing, and it is also good to take pictures of the scenery.

Half Moon Bay State Beach

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118***74August 25, 2023
5.0
The campus is open and has no walls. There is a large lawn in the middle that is sunken and below the ground. There are parking spaces around it. It is very comfortable to lie on the grass. There are many attractions on the entire campus, and this is just one of them.

Stanford University

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Anonymous userOctober 23, 2026
5.0
A Magical Night at the California Academy of Sciences ✨🦋What a wonderful evening at the California Academy of Sciences! The place was buzzing with energy, thanks to a festive blend of Mexico’s traditional celebrations and Halloween..My absolute favorite was the tropical rainforest, where beautiful butterflies fluttered freely all around us. The space was warm, humid, and a little narrow, but its unique spiral layout made exploring it feel like a fun little adventure. Being surrounded by fluttering butterflies in such a lush, tropical environment was truly magical.The planetarium was another highlight. I loved how it presented the wonders of the universe through a scientific lens, making the experience both fascinating and thought-provoking.Between the enchanting rainforest, the captivating planetarium, and the festive mix of Mexican traditions and Halloween spirit, it was an evening filled with wonder, discovery and fun. A truly memorable experience!

California Academy of Sciences

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112***09July 23, 2023
5.0
This is a relatively large park near the Golden Gate Bridge, called Golden Gate Park. Most tourists will not go to this attraction specifically, but since we are traveling independently, we can visit it in a more relaxed manner. The environment design of this park is unparalleled and it is worth checking out.

Golden Gate Park

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137***66January 7, 2020
5.0
[Scenery] Venice Beach in Half Moon Bay has endless beauty. It is very suitable for a visit. It is mainly natural scenery. You can also find a bar to bask in the sun, listen to music and relax. Overall, it is highly recommended!

Venice Beach

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云石雨February 26, 2023
5.0
Silicon Valley is the real source of innovation. You must come to see it when you come to California. Stanford University has beautiful scenery; Apple, Google, and many other high-tech companies; you can also visit the Computer Museum to see the birthplace of Silicon Valley.

Silicon Valley

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ryne.srjMay 12, 2025
4.0
a lot of sea lions! a must see place in san francisco! should get a sea lion plushie as well as a gift!

Fisherman's Wharf

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130***95April 27, 2026
5.0
It's definitely worth a visit; many of the artworks are quite impressive. There are so many museums in the US! This museum isn't far from Union Square; the service is also good, and the staff are very welcoming.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Trip Moments in Half Moon Bay

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Frequently asked questions

You can give San Francisco round-trip Napa Valley and Sonoma famous winery wine tasting sightseeing 1-day tour (wine tasting fee included) and Hard Rock Cafe San Francisco Dining Experience a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Half Moon Bay Family Friendly Guided E-bike Tour, San Francisco Sonoma Plaza + Napa Valley Winery Tasting Day Tour Including Wine Tasting, and San Francisco 1-day tour [Golden Gate Bridge/Lombard Street/Fisherman's Wharf]. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 8, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Half Moon Bay is around KRW 61,326 – KRW 211,991. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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