Finding the holiday spirit this month might be as easy as cruising over the Coast Range to the quiet town of Half Moon Bay. The drive rewards with a peaceful landscape of Christmas tree and flower nurseries, seaside bluffs, timeworn farmhouses, and the mesmerizing calm of the winter ocean. It’s such a restful spot, it’s surprising that this coastal retreat is so close to Bay Area bustle.
Founded on fishing and farming, Half Moon Bay now has a downtown lined with shops and restaurants, offering a gift-gathering getaway. You’ll likely see fog and maybe a coastal storm at this time of year, but winter skies can also be startlingly clear. And, with the area’s December appeal still a relative secret, you’ll likely have the beaches to yourself—with a few surfers and elephant seals here and there.