About Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is a coastal city in California’s San Mateo County, located about 25 miles south of San Francisco. Once a rural agricultural area for grazing of cattle, horses, and other animals, the city has since grown into a small town that maximizes its tourism potential and enjoys the benefits of its proximity to San Francisco.
The Pillar Point Harbor at the northern edge of Half Moon Bay offers a protected landing for boats, making the city a hotspot for fishing and local seafood. Fishermen sell crab and fish catches straight off their boats (at discount prices) directly to the public in Half Moon Bay’s harbor, and there are many fantastic seafood restaurants throughout the city, as well.
Moreover, the city’s vast coast is home to many excellent wedding venues to host your big day. You can host a beach wedding under the stars in the city’s romantic harbor, organize a fun western-style wedding in one of its old-town chapels, or have a high-end party at one of its several McMansions. Paired with its wonderful hotels, beaches, parks, gardens, and breathtaking landscape, Half Moon Bay is a picturesque and pleasant destination to host a wedding.
Wedding Vendor Options in Half Moon Bay, CA
You’ll find everything you need to plan and produce a star-studded wedding in Half Moon Bay. Consider working with a few of the following local vendors to make it even more memorable.
- Cake Bakers
There are many professional cake bakers in Half Moon Bay, CA, that can bake fluffy and yummy cakes for you and your guests. They’ll even help make one compliments your wedding theme or decor.
- Music Professionals
Want to have music at your Half Moon Bay wedding? You can outsource this aspect of your wedding to the music professionals throughout the city. Whether you want a live band or a DJ, you’ll find just what you’re looking for in Half Moon Bay.
- Photographers
Half Moon Bay is home to dozens of professional event photographers. These wedding videographers will creatively capture all the best moments of your wedding event; providing you with the best souvenir money can buy.
- Lighting Designers
Good lighting can make your wedding venue look spectacular and your wedding photos more colorful. Fortunately, you can find a professional lighting designer in Half Moon Bay to take care of all the lighting for you!
- Transportation Companies
Consider working with a professional limousine or party service while you’re in Half Moon Bay. An experienced transportation company can transport you and your VIPs from your hotel to the wedding venue and back, safely, promptly, and in style.
Event Planning Companies in Half Moon Bay, California
- Coastside Weddings and Events
Coastside Weddings and Events is a wedding and events planning company based in Half Moon Bay that offers a range of wedding planning services. Owner and founder Kelsey Currier has over a decade of experience in event planning and design, and knows all the best event vendors in the city. Her and her team provide both full and partial event management, as well as several a la carte service packages.
- All Set Events
All Set Events is a boutique event planning, design, and management company based in the San Francisco Bay Area, serving cities like Half Moon Bay and others. With years of experience specializing in weddings and other events, their team can handle every aspect of your wedding – from big picture planning to all the complex details.
- Sealed with a Kiss Events
Sealed with a Kiss Events is an award-winning wedding planning agency based out of Half Moon Bay. As a full-service wedding planning and production company, they provide month-of wedding management, full and partial planning, and design consultations for all their clients. Since starting in 2009, they’ve won numerous awards for their quality services.
Pros and Cons of Having a Wedding in Half Moon Bay
Pros:
- Great weather
Just like other cities on the Pacific Coast, Half Moon Bay has a pleasant weather with lots of sunshine all year round.
- Low crime
In Half Moon Bay the crime rate is much lower than other cities in the area.
- Fantastic coastline
Half Moon Bay boasts a beautiful coastline, perfect for seaside activities, from surfing to enjoying beach views, and so much more.
Cons:
- Small town
Half Moon Bay is a small town with less attractions compared to other cities in the state.
- High cost of living
The cost of living in Half Moon Bay is higher than the national average, making it expensive to host an event in the city.
- Terrible traffic
You’ll likely experience some bad traffic in Half Moon Bay, especially during peak hours and on weekends.
Famous Wedding Locations in Half Moon Bay, CA
Find a wedding venue nearby one of these famous Half Moon Bay destinations for some beachside fun before or after your special event!
- Dunes Beach
Experience amazing sunrise and sunset views at one of the best attractions in Half Moon Bay - Dunes Beach! The Dunes Beach is one of the four beaches comprising Half Moon Bay State Beach. The sandy beach has lots of picnic tables in its picnic area, as well as a campground that guests can wine and dine in before or after your event.
- Poplar Beach
This dog-friendly section of Half Moon Bay State Beach is perfect for friends and families who want to camp out on the beach before the wedding. It’s also a great spot for many beachside activities, including surfing, playing catch, making sand castles, or sunbathing.
- Mavericks Beach
Enjoy low and big wave surfing at the Mavericks Beach, outside Pillar Point Harbor, just north of the town of Half Moon Bay, at the village of Princeton-by-the-Sea. With waves sometimes over 35 feet (on good days), you are guaranteed to have an exhilarating experience on this side of the bay.