Outdoor adventures
Farms & Animals
Farm & Nature
Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center
Half Moon Bay
Summer camp ages 6–11
Varies
Animal care, gardening, pollinators, crafts, school programs, and summer camp
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Nature
The HEAL Project
El Granada
Young children through teens; ages vary by program
Varies
Farm camps, after-school programs, toddler sessions, family events, and youth volunteering
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Horseback Riding
Lazy H Horse Ranch
Half Moon Bay
Ages 6–14
Paid
Horseback riding lessons and seasonal pony/horse camps for kids
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Horseback Riding
Moss Beach Ranch
Moss Beach
Best for ages 8+
Paid
Riding lessons and guided trail rides
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Farm Attraction
Lemos Farm
Half Moon Bay
Best for ages 2–9; all ages welcome
Paid
A playful farm outing with pony rides, a train, animals, bounce houses, and seasonal activities—especially fun for preschool and early elementary kids.
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Horseback Riding
Sea Horse Ranch
Half Moon Bay
Ages 7+
Paid
Guided horseback rides along the Coastal Equestrian Trail, ocean bluffs, and Poplar Beach
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Pumpkin Farm
Arata's Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay
Best for ages 2–12; all ages welcome
Paid
Play Land, hay mazes, train rides, guided pony rides, petting zoo, and haunted attractions
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Pumpkin Farm
Pastorino Farms
Half Moon Bay
Best for preschool and elementary ages
Paid
Year-round nursery and seasonal farm activities, with pumpkin patch fun in October like hayrides, train rides, pony rides, animal feeding/petting zoo, giant slides, bounce houses, and pumpkins.
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Pumpkin Farm
Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm
Half Moon Bay
All ages; especially nice for younger kids
Paid
Pumpkin picking, family farm visit, seasonal hayride, and sunflower picking
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Parks & Playgrounds
Park & Playground
Quarry Park
El Granada
Tot area 1–5; youth area 5–12
Free
Tot and youth playgrounds, open grass, treehouse, picnic area, community garden, and trails
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Park & Playground
Moss Beach Park
Moss Beach
Best for ages 1–10
Free
Shipwreck-themed climbing structure, tot area, plank walk, sea-creature features, and crow's nest
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Park & Playground
Ocean View Park
Half Moon Bay
Best for ages 1–8
Free
Playground, grassy area, picnic tables, and room to run
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Park & Playground
Frenchman's Creek Park
Half Moon Bay
Best for ages 2–10
Free
Neighborhood playground and open play
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Skateboarding
Half Moon Bay Skate Park
Half Moon Bay
Best for ages 6+
Free
Bowls, ramps, stairs, and ledges
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Park & Playground
Clipper Ridge Park
El Granada
Best for ages 2–12
Free
Neighborhood park with a playground, picnic tables, basketball court, open outdoor space, and nearby trail access
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Park & Playground
Kehoe Park
Half Moon Bay
Best for ages 1–6
Free
Neighborhood grass area and tot lot
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Park & Events
John L. Carter Memorial Park
Half Moon Bay
All ages
Varies
Grass, picnics, community gatherings, and performances
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Beaches & Nature
Beach & Coastal Nature
Roosevelt Beach
Half Moon Bay
All ages
Free
Beach walks, picnics, and Coastside Trail outings
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Tide Pools & Nature
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
Moss Beach
All ages for views; best for ages 4+
Free
Choose between a quick bluffside stop with beautiful coastal views or a longer nature outing down to the tide pools. At low tide, kids can search for crabs, anemones, sea stars and other marine life.
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Coastal Trail
Mirada Surf
El Granada
All ages; especially good for stroller walks
Free
Walking, biking, scooters, ocean viewing, and beach access
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Hiking & Nature
Pillar Point Bluff
Moss Beach
Best for ages 4+ walkers; younger kids in a carrier
Free
Walking, wildlife spotting, and ocean views
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Walking & Biking
California Coastal Trail / Coastside Trail
Half Moon Bay
All ages
Free
Stroller walks, biking, scooters, bird watching, wildflowers, and occasional whale spotting
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Hiking & Nature
Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park
Half Moon Bay
All ages
Free
Iconic 115-foot lighthouse grounds with sweeping ocean views, the original Fresnel lens in the Fog Signal Building, small exhibits, short walks, wildlife spotting, and seasonal ranger programs
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Nature
Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve
Half Moon Bay
Best for ages 4+ walkers; younger kids in a carrier
Free
Creek-side redwood walks, little bridges, wildlife spotting, and choose-your-own-length family hikes
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Beach & Coastal Nature
Francis Beach
Half Moon Bay
All ages
Low cost
Sand play, picnics, beach walks, visitor-center exhibits, and Coastside Trail access
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Beach & Coastal Nature
Venice Beach
Half Moon Bay
All ages
Low cost
Sand play, walking, picnics, and trail access
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Beach & Coastal Nature
Dunes Beach
Half Moon Bay
All ages; youth programs have separate requirements
Paid
Beach walks, sand play, nature observation, and seasonal Junior Lifeguards
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