Half Moon Bay
City in San Mateo County, California
Half Moon Bay is a city in San Mateo County, California, with 11,795 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 75 ft (23 m) above sea level. The nearest town is El Granada, 3.5 miles NW.
- 11,795residents (2020 Census)
- 75 ftelevation · 23 m
- 6.2 sq miland area · 16.2 km²
- 1,890 / sq mipopulation density
- 94019ZIP code
About Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is a coastal city in San Mateo County, California, United States, approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of San Francisco. Its population was 11,795 as of the 2020 census. Immediately north of Half Moon Bay is Pillar Point Harbor and the unincorporated community of Princeton-by-the-Sea. Half Moon Bay is known for Mavericks, a big-wave surf location. It is called Half Moon Bay because of its crescent shape.
Originally an agricultural outpost to Mission San Francisco de Asís, the town was founded in the 1840s first as San Benito, and then as its Anglo fishing community grew, it was renamed Spanishtown. In 1874, it was again renamed Half Moon Bay. After rail and road connections in the early 1900s, the town grew. The foggy weather of the coast made the town a popular destination for booze-running during Prohibition.
The city's infrastructure is heavily integrated with the coast, including the Pillar Point Harbor, major roads, and the fire department. The economy of Half Moon Bay is dominated by a few businesses, the biggest of which is the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay. Because of this geography, a 2022 study found that the city had over 123 buildings vulnerable to sea level rise.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
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- Median household income
- $157,884
- Median home value
- $1,549,500
- Median rent
- $2,433/mo
- Median age
- 47.4
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Map of Half Moon Bay
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Open in Google Maps ›Half Moon Bay, CA population
Half Moon Bay had 11,795 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 11,795 |
|---|---|
| Density | 1,890 per sq mi (730 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Half Moon Bay at a glance
| State | California (CA) |
|---|---|
| County | San Mateo County |
| Type | City |
| Population | 11,795 (2020) |
| Land area | 6.24 sq mi (16.2 km²) |
| Water area | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km²) |
| Elevation | 75 ft (23 m) |
| Coordinates | 37.4673° N, 122.4399° W |
| ZIP code | 94019 |
| Official website | half-moon-bay.ca.us |
| Census code (GEOID) | 0631708 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Half Moon Bay
- El Granada3.5 mi NW
- Moss Beach4.5 mi NW
- Montara6.3 mi NW
- Highlands6.3 mi NE
- Baywood Park6.9 mi NE
- Hillsborough7.6 mi NE
- Belmont8.6 mi NE
- Millbrae9.3 mi N
- Burlingame9.5 mi NE
- San Mateo9.6 mi NE
- Emerald Lake Hills9.6 mi E
- San Carlos9.7 mi E
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Half Moon Bay
What county is Half Moon Bay in?
Half Moon Bay is in San Mateo County, California.
What is the population of Half Moon Bay, CA?
11,795 people lived in Half Moon Bay at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Half Moon Bay, CA?
The ZIP code of Half Moon Bay is 94019.
What is the elevation of Half Moon Bay?
75 feet (23 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Half Moon Bay?
El Granada (3.5 mi), Moss Beach (4.5 mi), Montara (6.3 mi), Highlands (6.3 mi), Baywood Park (6.9 mi).
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