While many of the beaches
in California hype their surfing cultures, one place that simply
lives it in an unassuming manner is Half Moon Bay. This is home
to Mavericks a place, a beer, and the
big wave surf competition
that most years pits the top surfers against each other, meeting
the challenge of riding up to 50 foot waves!
In contrast, a typical
US
Open of Surfing competition in another California city
(Huntington Beach), can draw 150,000 people, yet serve up nary a
wave. Half Moon Bay is one of those great places the locals
really don't care if you know about. In fact, the lifestyle
could be jeopardized by overpopulation and too much tourism.
When the Ritz Carlton was
built in Half Moon Bay, along with a luxury golf course atop a
hillside cliff, it met plenty of controversy, in fact. But very
much a part of the landscape today, tourism partially infuses
capital and sustains the fantastic restaurants that Half Moon
Bay enjoys.
This is the place you want
to go to get away from the crowds. It's a place where people are
a bit old fashioned, friendly and see things differently. For
those seeking massive crowds at the beach, you may want to skip
Half Moon Bay. For those who want to surf or just soak up
authentic surf culture, it's somewhat understated here.
But that's the beauty of this place. The biggest waves, smallest
crowds, nicest people and beautiful surroundings. That's a wow!
|
