Dig Into the World of Makers

Take your time getting from San Francisco to Half Moon Bay by taking the scenic route down Highway One and avoiding the commuters on the 101. (I don't know why people call it The 101, but they do.) You'll pass through Pacifica and Devil's Slide before arriving in Half Moon Bay. Make a beeline for the Garden Apothecary. The owner is a botanist who farms the land that grows many of the medicinal herbs used in the teas, honeys and skincare products that are made in the company kitchen. Just being here and breathing the air is a balm. A block away, a country store and a bookstore can boost your mellow vibe even further, if that's your jam.
Open Thursday to Monday, 10 am - 5 pm-ish

A few blocks away from Garden Apothecary, Dad's Luncheonette is a hip restaurant built into a former train caboose. (It has mostly outdoor seating.) Chef Scott Clark worked for years at Michelin 3-star Saison in San Francisco before starting up a business closer to home, and is regularly lauded for his food. It's typically simple fare – hamburger, mushroom sandwich – but as you know, simple is hard. You can taste all the hard work behind chef's simplicity in each bite. Note that the restaurant is tiny, so get here early or be prepared for your new favorite sandwich or the mac 'n' cheese to be sold out.
Open Thursday to Sunday, 11 am - 4 pm, or until sold out.

You can bring your lunch to eat here or simply wander out to the old lighthouse which is closed until needed repairs are completed. A small gift shop and history museum is fun, but you're really here to take a few pictures before moving on.

The beaches here host one of the biggest colonies of northern elephant seals as well as otters, California sea lions, coyotes, and more. It is a 3-4 mile hike over sand dunes to see the seals, so wear comfortable shoes. When you reach the front gate, the ranger will issue you a permit to walk to the seals. Please note that during the seal breeding season, roughly December through March, you can only enter the park with a reservation for a guided tour. Book well in advance as it sells out every single year.

By now, you definitely need a snack and there is no better place for a slice of berry pie than at a farm that grows berries all year long. Strawberry is classic, but olallieberry makes the folks from the Pacific Northwest immensely happy, so go for that if you can get it.

A wide selection of hard to find beers is the theme behind a brewery restaurant that has an array of kegged and bottled beers from all over the world. A seasonal farmhouse ale from Vermont might be on a pull right next to Chimay Première (Red) Belgian Dubbel. Wash it all down with a shared plate of empanadas and a few carnitas tacos.

Just down the street from Lupulo and also close to the beach, this is a great spot to overnight when you don't want to repark the car or drive to get food the next morning.