Downtown Half Moon Bay, CA

Half Moon Bay is a popular seaside town just 28 miles south of San Francisco. Hoards of tourists descend upon it throughout the year to visit its beautiful beaches and frolic in the powerful surf. It's also a popular day trip destination during autumn, when it welcomes thousands to its annual art and pumpkin festival, and throughout the Christmas season, when people flock to the nearby Christmas tree farms in search of the perfect noble fir to chop down and haul back home. 

I decided to skip the frenetic crowds of shoppers on Black Friday and instead headed west along Highway 92 towards Half Moon Bay. I snagged a prime parking spot along Main Street, devoured a delicious deli sandwich at the ever-popular Garden Deli and Cafe, and then stretched my legs and did a bit of window shopping through the quaint downtown. 

If you've never been to HMB, you really need to go there (should you find yourself in the SF Bay Area, that is), and if you have been there, then I'm sure you'll recognize some of these charming gems... 

Half Moon Bay has heart...

Here are some shots from the historical downtown...

There were lots of interesting items on display in the windows...

A little bit of shadows...

The old Community United Methodist Church near Main Street...

Fall and winter are the best times to visit Half Moon Bay as the fog is not as prevalent as during the summer months. Be forewarned though, the traffic can be quite heavy at times, but if that's the case, just relax and enjoy the view!