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PLACES TO EAT PLAY & STAY Francisco San •
Half • Moon Bay
Santa Cruz
T • Dining, Attractions and Adventure in Half Moon Bay BY GREGORY MARTIN he coastal town of Half Moon Bay is the oldest commu-
nity in San Mateo County and located just 30 minutes south of San Francisco. There are miles of white sandy beaches and trails, stunning bluffs, redwood forests and state parks. Growing up just over the coastal mountain range, I took for
granted the beauty of this area. Sure my family made the trek over San Mateo Road (Highway 92) several times a year for the annual Pumpkin Festival, to pick out our Christmas tree from one of the tree cutting farms, to fly our plastic kites in the misty skies, to make castles in the sand and always stopping for a bowl of clam chowder, but I never thought of it as a vacation destina- tion. I now wish we had spent more time appreciating everything else that this retreat has to offer. I now have life/travel experiences for
comparison, and let me tell you, Half Moon Bay ranks right up there as a top weekend retreat. There are so many options for dining, attractions and adven- tures, and places to stay from lighthouse hostels to top resorts. So sit back and get ready to Eat Play and Stay in the town known as Half Moon Bay.
EAT - Seafood, Italian Fare, Champagne Brunch Sam’s Chowder House, 4210 North Cabrillo Hwy. (650) 712-0245 •
www.samschowderhouse.com Where in the world would Matt Lauer consume a delectable
Maine lobster roll sandwich? Sam’s Chowder House is the obvi- ous answer since NBC’s Today Show awarded this butter soaked creation on their ‘Top Five Best Sandwiches in America’ list. Sam’s Chowder House provides diners with amazing views
of the Pacific Ocean from every table and prides itself on serv- ing daily fresh fish, live Maine lobster, local crab, calamari, a raw bar and other local specialties. The dining room is comfortable yet casual. A full bar, packed with patrons on the afternoon of our visit, is the spot to order a spicy Bloody Mary and fresh shucked oysters or a bowl of piping hot New England style clam chowder all while listening to the bustle of the full house. Sam’s also has a large outdoor seating area on the multi-
tiered deck complete with gorgeous views of the harbor to the north and surfers to the south. Since this coastal town is known for fog and cool temperatures, Sam’s keeps you warm with numerous outdoor heaters. Their private outdoor beachfront setting is also a perfect location for a corporate or family event. On our visit we started with the chowder and ceviche with
EAT P LAY S
TAYMAG.COM • S P R ING 2012
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