Pros & Cons: Living on the Half Moon Bay Coastside

The San Mateo county Coastside is a part of the Bay Area that has been largely undiscovered by many people locally.  Today, I’m going to tell you about the pros and cons of living on the Coastside.

I’m Sean Engmann a Realtor with eXp Realty based on the Coastside in Half Moon Bay.  As I am a transplant to the Coast having been born and raised in San Francisco, I have the unique perspective of seeing it both as a local and as a transplant.

The Coastside of San Mateo county, as opposed to the more popular and much more populated Bayside, consists primarily of Half Moon Bay to Pacifica but extends south beyond Pescadero.  Half Moon Bay is perhaps best known for its Pumpkin Festival every October and Pacifica for its Fog Fest each September.  The area is also host to the world renowned Maverick’s surfing competition every year and is home to several well-known restaurants, including Sam’s Chowder House and the Moss Beach Distillery.

The first pro and con about living on the Coastside is its isolation, particularly in the areas south of Pacifica.  Only three roads connect the south of the coastside to the rest of the county – Highway 1, Highway 92 and Highway 84.  Surrounded by mountains and an ocean, the area is physically isolated, and that isolation gets exacerbated by any road closures.  Major accidents at Devil’s Slide that shut Highway 1 in both directions tend to occur every couple of months, and both Highways 92 and 84 are prone to shutdown during bad weather.  On the best of days, it’s a 20-25 minute drive to reach the rest of San Mateo county or San Francisco, which is a deterrent for some, and traffic in and out of the area can be difficult on weekends and holidays especially.

The pro about the isolation is that there is a sense of community on the Coastside that really can’t be found anywhere else in the Bay Area.  The towns are small, so people in the area tend to know each other very well.  Coastside Gives is an annual charity event that really brings people on the Coastside together.  There’s a shared experience here that is unique and draws many people to the community on the Coast.  The area is also very supportive of its local schools and businesses.

A second pro is that the outdoor activity is unmatched anywhere else in San Mateo county.  There’s a reason why so many people drive here to go to the beaches – they are spectacular.  There are hiking trails abound and lots to do if you love the outdoors, especially if you love to surf.

If you’re looking for great nightlife, you’ll need to go over the hill or into the City.  Most places close up shop early, and while places like Old Princeton Landing do have some great live music, you’re not going to be able to find much to do on the Coast after 10, and getting back here after a night out somewhere else can be challenging.

The lack of walkability or accessibility via public transit on the Coastside can be an issue to many people coming from more urban areas.  The Coastside is relatively spread out and has very minimal bus service, so if you want to go somewhere, chances are you need to drive to do so.  On the weekends, driving from town to town can be a bit challenging due to traffic – at least until you learn some local shortcuts.

While the nightlife may not be there, there is plenty to do during the day, even if you’re not up for the outdoors life.  Main Street in Half Moon Bay features great shopping from local merchants, and there is no shortage of quality restaurants in the area, especially downtown and in the harbor area.  Ketch Joanne, Barbara’s Fish Trap, Mezzaluna and the Half Moon Bay brewing company are all excellent choices in the harbor.  There are also several pop-up markets, like the second Saturdays market in the harbor featuring great food and local merchandise.

The weather is another pro or con depending on how you look at it.  While the Coast is known for its fog, the fog isn’t really that prevalent everywhere, especially back in the valley.  Coastal temperatures are cooler and more temperate than places further inland, especially during the summer.  Air conditioning is not needed here on the Coast, except maybe a couple days a year.

The schools in the Half Moon Bay area are run by the Cabrillo Unified School district while in Pacifica the schools are run by the Jefferson Union School district out of Daly City.  The schools are closely aligned with and well supported by the community.  For those seeking private options, Pacific Bay in Pacifica is the closest option for high school in the area and there are other smaller private schools at the grammar school level.  The best other options are in the City and over the hill.

In terms of affordability, the Coastside is one of the most affordable areas in which to live when looking at the median price points of homes.  It is isolated, but a short drive to the rest of the county, San Francisco and Silicon Valley, and it boasts a strong sense of local pride and community.  In terms of scenic and natural beauty, living on the Coast is majestic and you are surrounded by natural beauty.

If you’d like more information about living on the Coastside, please feel free to leave a comment below.  If you are considering buying or selling here on the Coast, I’d love to help you, just give me a call at: 650-238-9210.