Unique Things To Do On The Coastside
Sunset From Miramar
What’s Unique To Do Around Half Moon Bay?
Visiting any area for a wedding weekend or just coming for a day there are the obvious things to do; local restaurants, special shopping areas, historic areas, art galleries etc. But, the Coastside has unique activities the uninitiated might not know to consider.
- Rent a bike at the Bike Works and bike the Coastal Trail for miles from south of Half Moon Bay through Pillar Point Marina . [Bike Works @ 520 Kelly Ave., HMB.
- Join a whale watching excursion or rent a kayak to paddle around the harbor and surf the waves at Seal Rock.
- Take a tour of Harley Farms Goat Dairy www.harleyfarms.com, the only functioning Dairy in San Mateo County and buy some of their great goat cheese and other natural products produced onsite.
- Hike, hike, hike: Purisima Creek (redwoods and a creek) and Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park (historic dairy barn) are just a sample of scores of hiking opportunities.
- Ride a horse on the bluffs above the Pacific Ocean and even on to the beach. Sea Horse Ranch.
- Take a Coastside Ecotourism tour.
These are just some ideas, you can find a complete list of activities and things to do at the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce website.
Best Regards,
Terry
Coastside Dining – Duarte’s Tavern
Duarte’s Tavern is one of the most historical restaurants on the Coastside. In 1894 Frank Duarte brought a barrel of whiskey from Santa Cruz and put it on the bar that still stands today in Pescadero. Apart from a short time closure during prohibition, Duarte’s Tavern has been serving customers ever since. The reopening was in 1934 with the added business of selling sandwiches, a “soda fountain, and a barbershop.
We just went there this week and had their calamari sandwich, my favorite. My wife had the cream of green chile soup, but it’s a toss up as to which is better, green chile or the cream of artichoke soup. Of course, being situated in Pescadero makes the serving of artichokes in a variety of dishes a natural. You get to Pescadero, just 17 miles south of Half Moon Bay, driving along a beautiful coastal road that leads to old historic Pescadero, town surrounded by fields of artichokes, brussel sprouts, and strawberries.
Duarte’s has breakfast and lunch menus; their fine dining evening selections can include crab cioppino, Pacific snapper, baked oysters, lamb chops since their specials vary throughout the season.
As if that wasn’t enticement enough to spend some time in Pescadero, then think “pie”! They bake them all right there using local recipies, the Olallieberry pie being one of my favorites. An Olallieberry is a cross between a loganberry and a youngberry; “olalli” comes from the Northwestern Native American’s word for berry and you can even drive a few miles further and pick your own olallieberrys in the field to take home if you want to make your own pie or just add them to your cereal in the next morning.
Pescadero is a nice to visit if you’re on the Coastside for a wedding or just looking for a fun spot to spend the day on the Coastside. There is Arcangeli Grocery/Norms Market where you can excellent artichoke garlic break, Harley Farms Goat Dairy to tour, shops, bed and breakfast inns, all within a mile of Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve and a couple of miles from Butano State Park.
Learn more at www.duartestavern.com and check out their online store to buy some Olallieberry Jam. Call for reservations at (650) 879-0464.
Best Regards,
Terry
Wedding Musician – Richard Patterson
Let me begin with a quote from the Festival Of Four website: “Richard Patterson projects a deep understanding of and admiration for the music he performs. His attention to color and dynamics is remarkable and he displays a prodigious technique. Patterson plays with style, taste and elegance.” I’ve found this to be true, having worked with Richard at scores of weddings at Hastings House, a wedding venue he co-owns with his wife Linda.
Richard received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Studio Performance from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a Masters Degree in Music from San Francisco State University on a Performance Scholarship. He has studied personally and in master classes with most of the world’s leading guitarists, including Andres Segovia. Signed by Columbia Artist for national tours, he has performed solo and in groups in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. His solo, group and recording experience includes working with the virtuoso quartet Festival of Four and guitarist and recording producer/guitarist Stevan Pasero.
Drawing from his extensive repertoire in Classical, Flamenco, and Spanish guitar Richard is a good choice as a wedding musician who can provide the highest quality music for wedding ceremonies. If Richard doesn’t have something in his repertoire a bride wants for her ceremony, he is very willing to find the music if it’s possible to discover it. I have also found him to have a very winning personality; friendly, respectful, open, and professional.
A couple of final thoughts, Richard is the founder of the Omni Foundation for the Performing Arts, one of the leading series of guitar performances in the world at San Francisco’s Civic and Performing Arts Center. Finally as the head of the Guitar Department, also teaches Spanish guitar at Notre Dame de Namur University in California.
You can hear Richard playing at the Hastings House Weddings website and also on individual selections at iTunes. He can be reached at (650) 726-1203.
Best Regards,
Terry
Half Moon Bay Lodge – Lodging & Ceremony Location
Half Moon Bay Lodge, Best Western, is one of the quietest locations in the area for lodging in close proximity to a world class golf course, historic Half Moon Bay, beaches, a redwood grove with a spring-fed creek that runs year round, scores of excellent dining venues, and much more.
Rates are competitive for the area and they have a number of Packages with reduced rates: Unlimited Golf Stay & Play, Romantic Escape, Dinner & A Movie, Family Dinner and Movie, Eco Tour, Family Fun Picnic are a few.
I asked Minako Maki, the Conference Manager, to suggest three words she thinks most reflect the Lodge, I’ve been to the Lodge several times over the years so I agree with her answer: “intimate”, “charming”, and “personal”.
The Lodge is one of the few locations on the coast with a heated pool; they also have an oversized whirlpool spa, a dry sauna, a Fitness Center, and can make arrangements for a professional massage in your room for individuals and couples. They also have six meeting rooms that accommodate up to 60 people and have corporate rates for lodging if participants decide to stay over.
In addition to being a great location for guests attending wedding ceremonies on the San Mateo County Coastside, the Half Moon Bay Lodge is a lovely site for a wedding ceremony and reception for up to 50 guests. “Experience our garden lawn setting with golf course views for your ceremony then celebrate in our dining room adjacent to our pool and charming patio. We will take care of the details that go into making your wedding day flawless.”
Learn more at www.halfmoonbaylodge.com, call, or email for reservations: (650) 726-9000 – reservations325@halfmoonbaylodge.com .
Best Regards,
Terry