Author/Photos: Brian Overfelt
Pillar Point harbor is a working fisherman’s harbor protected by a breakwater. Nearby are several local restaurants, small shops, and beach walks. This town has been a SF tourist destination since the early 1900s.
Barbara’s Fishtrap
A local seafood restaurant inside pillar point harbor that serves up excellent food. This place literally hangs over the water and has become an institution to the coast side. It’s on the way to Mavericks so you won’t miss it. There is also a to go window if you want to keep exploring while you eat.
281 Capistrano Road – Princeton By The Sea, CA 94018 – (650) 728-7049
Beach House Inn
A very nice place to stay that has awesome views of Pillar Point Harbor. I set up friends and family to stay here all the time. Hot tub and pool. Run by a friendly staff that consists of many locals.
4100 North Cabrillo Hwy – Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 – (650) 712-0220
Café Classique
One of the two places the locals get coffee in El Granada. Mark opens up his place at 5:00am. This place serves breakfast, lunch, and a lot of nice baked items.
107 Sevilla Avenue El Granada, CA 94018 – (650) 726-9775
Coastal Trail
This beautiful trail runs all along the coast starting inside the Pillar Point Harbor. Take a walk or bring your bike and enjoy the trail as it winds along many beaches here on the coast of Half Moon Bay.
Crab Landing
The premier steakhouse on the coast with fresh seafood and, of course, CRAB!
260 Capistrano Rd – Princeton By The Sea, CA94018 – (650) 712-1288
Easy Mart Liquor & Food
this is probably the most important destination on the local knowledge section. A local convenience store directly across from the harbor that has everything from gasoline to Gatorade and everything in between.
61 Ave Alhambra – El Granada, CA 94018 – (650) 726-9924
El Granada General Store
The other of the two places locals get coffee in El Granada. This place has many choices of select coffee from Fog Buster to Jamaican Blue. They also have fine sandwiches for a good price and kids go there for ice cream. In the back they have a hardware store.
85 Avenue Portola – El Granada, CA 94018 – (650) 726-5009
Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
This place brews all their own beer and serves a nice meal. You can see many a big wave charger in here getting a bite to eat after a long session at Mavericks. Many locals work here and the place is nice and comfortable.
390 Capistrano Rd – Princeton By The Sea, CA 94018 – (650) 728-2739
Half Moon Bay Kayak Co.
If you want to explore the harbor or the coast on a kayak this is the place to go. These guys will teach you lessons, take you on an adventure, or just rent you a kayak.
2 Johnson Pier – Princeton By The Sea, CA94018 – (650) 773-6101
Harbor View Inn
This simple but nice motel sits directly across Highway 1 from the Pillar Point Harbor. They offer the most affordable place to stay and within walking distance to the Mavericks Invitational Festival.
51 Ave Alhambra – El Granada, CA 94018 – (650) 726-2329
Half Moon Bay Sportfishing and Tackle
You need a fishing license, some bait, a whale watching expedition, book charter to view the Mavericks Invitational from the channel, or anything else to do with sport in the ocean; this is your place.
27 Johnson Pier – Princeton By The Sea, CA 94018 – (650) 728-3377
Johnson Pier
The best place to buy fresh fish in the area is right from the fisherman on their boats. Just stroll down Johnson Pier and look for signs hanging from the boats.
Ketch Joanne/Harbor Bar
This is a true locals favorite and a very comfortable place. Enjoy a family style breakfast, lunch or dinner with a great menu we all enjoy. The Harbor Bar is a place where the locals like to blow off steam late into the night.
17 Johnson Pier – Princeton By The Sea, CA 94018 – (650) 728-5566
Mavericks Surf Shop
Located on the same level as the boats sits Jeff Clark’s Mavericks Surf Shop. Equipped with all surfing equipment and great apparel this shop has what you need when spending time in the ocean. The walls of Jeff’s shop are also covered in Maverick’s history with amazing photos and big wave guns. A must stop while visiting the area.
25 Johnson Pier – Pillar Point Harbor – Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 – (650) 560-8088
Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant
A family style Italian restaurant with great food, a great staff, and great prices. This place is a must eat and is on one of the last turns to Mavericks. I can’t say enough good things about this restaurant.
459 Prospect Way – Princeton By The Sea, CA 94018 – (650) 728-8108
Oceano Hotel and Spa
A 4 star hotel and spa that is a new addition to the coast and host to Mavericks Invitational Festival. Very nice rooms and a very nice spa. Beautiful views of the harbor. Also, has an atrium mall inside with many local shops. A must go!!
270 Capistrano Rd – Princeton By The Sea, CA 94018 – (650) 726-5400
Old Princeton Landing and Silver Star Grill
“The Coast side’s biggest little music house.” This place is a local favorite open everyday for happy hour to late night that hosts great music and entertainment. Owned and run by locals (except Frank Solomon who bar backs while he is in town to surf Mavericks). You can’t miss it as it’s on the way to Mavericks and will have live music the day of the event. A new addition is the Silver Star Grill that is open everyday but Monday from 10am to 10pm. The grill brags it has the best burger ($6) in town and I believe it does.
460 Capistrano Rd – Princeton By The Sea, CA 94018 – (650) 728-7096
Princeton Seafood Co. Market- Fresh Fish and Crab Market
On the corner as you approach the pier usually with a line out the door. If the fisherman don’t have what you’re looking for on their boats this is the best place to get fresh fish and crab.
300 Capistrano Rd – Princeton By The Sea, CA94018 – (650) 726-2722
Sam’s Chowder House
Sam’s Chowder House is the locals’ answer to high quality comfort food. They have a great menu and an incredible view of the Pillar Point Harbor and beyond (all the way to Mavericks). Situated right on Highway 1 you can’t miss the restaurant as you approach the Pillar Point Harbor from the South.