From the San Francisco Airport travel Highway 1 South, parallel to the Pacific Ocean in the beautiful county of San Mateo. Even though it's a short 50 mile coastline drive, plan to spend at least three days exploring this route. You won't be disappointed.

The Coastside, as the locals call it, is a place of unexpected delights. It's deliciously peaceful and guaranteed to soothe the most jangled nerves. Along the way you'll pass rugged cliffs, solitary beaches, lush redwood forests, luxurious or rustic overnight accommodations and gloriously coloured fields of wild flowers and pumpkins(more later about these pumpkins).Almost all of the coastline is protected and conserved by the state. It must drive developers crazy!

Leave lots of time for braking because there's plenty of "ings" to see and do, like whale watching, golfing, hiking, biking, sun bathing, picnicking, horseback riding and for the more athletic, windsurfing and surfing the world famous Mavericks (world-renowned 50-foot waves).

Half Moon Bay (population 22,000)
Half Moon Bay is a good choice for your first evening. This place has charm and a unique flavour of rural sophistication. A pleasant stroll through the town's main street is a walk through history. There's a redwood house built in 1869 by a dashing Mexican Don and a tiny jail with two tiny cells built in 1911 that's open to the public. You don't have to be arrested to visit it. The town boasts one of California's best casual restaurants. Cetrella's was once the former headquarters for the Half Moon Bay Growers Association. Now, it's a classy 200 seat restaurant re-done with a stucco fa‡ade and a Mediterranean inspired interior. Owner, Paul Shenkman said, "We've won lots of awards for our fine food but I'm especially proud of the 400 or more different wines we have in our cellar".

If you prefer barley to grapes travel to the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company and their oceanfront restaurant. They have their own on-site brewery. Try the robust flavoured 4.8 % Maverick Amber Ale. Wayne Meyer, Director of Sales and Marketing said, "This is the unofficial watering hole for Maverick watchers and some of the best big wave surfers in the world." Mavericks are professional surfers who on a 24 hour notice show up to challenge waves over 50 feet tall for the Big Wave Surfing Contest.

Another good choice for casual dining is Cameron's Restaurant, Pub and Inn on Highway # 1. You can't miss the double-deck bus parked outside -- it's reserved for the smokers. This is an old fashioned English Pub, dim and hushed, all mahogany and Tiffany lamps, all frosted glass and the smell of a century of beer. This is where locals hang out. You'll feel you're at a house party and they won't even mind that you're a visitor.

When it's time to get some shut eye Beach House Hotel stands out. In this world of cookie cutter resorts this is a real find. The Pacific whispers outside your room and you go to sleep listening to the waves lap the shoreline. This is where quiet is tuned up.

Attractions not to be missed
Half Moon Bay is the Pumpkin Capital of the World. Look for Farmer Brown in his field along side Highway #1. 22,000 people visit the annual Safeway World Championships Pumpkin Weigh-Off held in October. One 1,229-pound Atlantic Giant had the winner going away with a $6,145 prize.

On a hill just east of Highway # 1 you'll spot the Johnston House. California's last surviving "saltbox" house built in 1853 entirely of redwood pegs. It's now an interpretive museum.

The majestic Pigeon Point Lighthouse, one of the tallest lighthouses in the U.S. built in 1872 is one of the most photographed landmarks along the coastside. At the base of the lighthouse are buildings that serve as a hostel. This is an inexpensive spot to stay overnight.

Other activities include chartering a boat for whale-watching tours or sport fishing and taking one of the many escorted horse trail rides along the bluff or the Pacific Ocean.