Half Moon Bay Kayaking the Easy Way

Half Moon Bay is a fun place for a kayak paddle because you can take it easy in Pillar Point Harbor, or venture out into rougher waters. Sure, you can do more. But if you’re like me, a leisurely paddle within the safety of the breakwater, is a fun way to spend an hour or two on the water.

If you’ve driven by the harbor in Half Moon Bay, you’ve seen the kayaks lined up and ready to rent at Half Moon Bay Kayak Co. (#notsponsored.) Just pull off HWY One at Capistrano Road. You’ll find plenty of free parking across from the kayaks.

Within walking distance you’ll also find the Shoppes at Harbor Village and a few restaurants. You can also buy fresh fish off the boats to take home for dinner.

SAVVY TIP: Call the Fish Phone at 650-726-8724 for information about which boats are selling and what is available.

Pillar Point Harbor, on the HMB Coastside, is actually in the area called Princeton-by-the-Sea, right across from the neighborhood of El Granada, or about five miles north of Half Moon Bay and 20 miles south of San Francisco.

Don’t expect much of a mid-level paddle from this launching point. Either your paddle will be easy (inside the harbor) or more advanced (out into the Pacific Ocean). Once in a while, the waves will be flat outside the breakwater, but not as a rule.

If you’re bringing your own kayak, you’ll want to park near the same place you would park if you were renting from Half Moon Bay Kayak Co. (yacross from the parking lots). You can launch in the harbor from the sand just south of their kayak shack.

Once you’re on the water, you can paddle around the harbor, around the boats, or around towards Maverick’s Beach (but in the protected area behind the breakwater). This is the location of the annual big wave surf competition Maverick’s Challenge.

Don’t expect to see big, waves though. That only happens around once a year when nature aligns to form swells of 40, 50, or even 60 feet high. Most days the waves are just the normal size at that location.

You’ll probably see harbor seals and sea birds. It can take about an hour or so to paddle around these calm waters.

You can paddle around the protected calm harbor for about an hour. Or you can stay out longer, and even pull up onto the beach on North side of the harbor.

From there you can walk around to the Maverick’s Beach side, against the bluffs. Bring a picnic lunch and watch the waves crash over the rocks. You might even see whales and dolphins.

Advanced kayakers may choose to venture out beyond the jetty into the waves. (Check the conditions before you head out.)

If you don’t have your own kayak and gear, it’s easy to rent them here from Half Moon Bay Kayak Co. As some of you savvy readers know, I live in the area, so I’ve rented a kayak from HMB Kayak many times, and I can tell you the team over there makes the experience easy and fun.

The first time I tried it, years ago, my skills were a little rusty, but they were kind, encouraging, and to their credit they didn’t laugh once.

Kayaking can be a gear-intensive sport. But when you rent a kayak from the guys at Half Moon Bay Kayak, they throw in the gear as part of the package.

They will provide you with a life jacket, water resistant paddle jacket, kayak appropriate Farmer John-style wetsuit (which you may not need), paddle and explanation of how to use it, with a quick kayak safety instruction.

That’s me just back from a hop around the HMB Harbor

Savvy tip: You can also book a longer kayak tour with HMB Kayak, with several options to choose from, like a sunset or moonlight paddle, or a tour through Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the U.S.

Where to Rent a Kayak in Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay Kayak or Paddleboard Rental {details at hmbkayak.com} — Includes a wetsuit, a water-resistant paddle jacket, a life jacket, and a cell-phone dry bag. You’ll also get a basic paddle explanation and safety lesson. No coupon needed.

Open hours vary by season. Winter hours are limited to Wed—Mon 10am-4pm (last walk up rental without a reservation is 2:30pm). But call to reserve your time and they may give you other options (650.773.6101).

Address: Half Moon Bay Kayak Co., 2 Johnson Pier, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019. Park in the “C” lot.

Savvy Tip: Getting there is easy — there’s a traffic light on Highway 1 at Capistrano. Turn west and you’ll see the kayaks lined up. Plenty of parking even on busy weekends.

Where to Grab Lunch at Pillar Point Harbor

You’ll find several good Half Moon Bay restaurants around Pillar Point Harbor. Here are a few I can recommend that you can walk to from where you parked at Pillar Point Harbor.

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company (editor’s choice)
3930 Capistrano Road, Pillar Point Harbor
Princeton-by-the-Sea, CA
650-728-2739

Barbara’s Fishtrap
281 Capistrano Road, Pillar Point Harbor
Princeton-by-the-Sea, CA
650-728-7049

Ketch Joanne & Harbor Bar
17 Johnson Pier, Pillar Point Harbor
Princeton-by-the-Sea, CA
650-728-3747