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Where In The World Is San Mateo County?
You may never have realized it, but if you’ve ever flown in or out of San Francisco International Airport, you’ve been in San Mateo County. Located just south of the “City by the Bay,” it shares a 50-mile-long peninsula with its famous neighbor and holds several treasures worth checking out when you’re in the region. From surfers to seafood, vineyards to vistas, this place has it all.
San Mateo’s coastline offers wonderful beaches where your family can picnic, sunbathe, explore the bluffs, fly a kite, join in a Frisbee game, kayak and watch the surfers. Check out Montara State Beach (with its own lighthouse), Bean Hallow Beach (great for kids), San Gregorio State Beach and Coyote Point Recreation Area where swimming (if closely monitored) is available. The town of Half Moon Bay has several miles of good beaches including Surfer’s and Dunes Beaches.
Coastal Highlights for Beach Bums
Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero (650/879-2120), which at 115-feet-tall is one of the tallest in the country, may look familiar to you as it is one of our most photographed lighthouses. Overlooking the ocean 20 miles south of Half Moon Bay, it continues to guide mariners as it has since it was inaugurated on November 15, 1872. Although the lighthouse itself is currently closed to the public, the grounds are open for exploration, and guided history tours are available on weekends. The views are spectacular and there are bird-and seal-watching opportunities. Seasonally, between January and April, gray whales may be seen migrating between Alaska and Mexico along the coast.
Located north of Half Moon Bay near Pillar Point Harbor is Maverick’s Point, where an underwater rock formation causes waves to reach as high as 60 feet. A surfing contest considered the “Super Bowl of Surfing” takes place here annually, and Maverick’s is the destination of the best and most intrepid surfers from around the globe.
Nature exploration is available at Moss Beach’s Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, where naturalists are available to lead hikes and help explore the sea urchins, crabs, sea anemones, starfish etc. that appear in tide pools at low tide. Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve at Pescadero State Beach offers over 500 acres to explore, including a sanctuary for migratory birds and waterfowl, as well as residents such as mallards, kestrels, egrets and Great Blue Herons. Ano Nuevo State Reserve is where the largest breeding colony of elephant seals, in addition to colonies of sea lions, harbor seals and other marine mammals breed and give birth. Check their site to arrange for guided tours of the amazing spectacle when thousands of seal pups are born on the dunes.
Goats, Grapes and Gardens for Foodies
My most favorite destination on this trip was to Harley Farms (205 North Street, Pesdadero 94060; 650/879-0480). Owner, cheesemaker, tour guide and welcoming host, Dee Harley took over a 9-acre 1910 cow dairy farm with 6 American alpine goats in 1993. The herd now numbers 220 who graze happily on the pasture, and are most friendly to visitors. They are milked twice a day in a spotless, comfortable milking parlor, and each produce a gallon of milk, which translates into one pound of cheese, every day. Dee says that the only way to produce quality goat cheese is to have happy, healthy goats. She seems to have just that combination.
The cheese-making room is also open for touring, and here you can observe the processing of the curds and whey, and watch as the logs and rounds are decorated with edible wildflowers from the farm as well as fruits and nuts. Two-hour tours are available by reservation and also include milking a goat and a cheese tasting. Call ahead to reserve a tour which costs $20 for adults, half price for children 6 to 10-years old; no charge for younger children. Your family will love this.
How about some wine to compliments your goat cheese? La Nebbia Winery (12341 San Mateo Road, Half Moon Bay 94109; 650/726-94653), which has been producing wine for over 25 years, features a tasting room with award-winning wines in a relaxed setting. Sip your wine in a scenic picnic area, play a game of bocce and pet the resident kitty.
Another natural showplace is Filoli (86 Canada Road, Woodside 94062; 650/364-8300), the 1915 estate and 16 acres of formal gardens of a prominent San Francisco family. They gave their property it's unusual name by combining the first two letters from the credo: Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life. The estate was eventually donated to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and has been open to the public since 1976. It has been used in many movies and television shows including the long-running series “Dynasty.”
Self and docent-guided tours of the house and grounds are available daily. While it is certainly interesting to see the home and its furnishings, the gardens were the highlight for me. I’m not knowledgeable about growing things and don’t even keep houseplants, but the grounds were a truly spectacular sight with exquisite trees and flowers too numerous to remember. Highlights include the 10-acre fruit and olive Orchards, the Sunken Garden with reflecting pool, Yew Allee, a tree-lined walkway lined with over 200 Irish Yews, the Knot Garden with interwoven plantings, the Herb Garden, and the Cutting Garden whose flowers are used in arrangements throughout the house.
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