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There are few things more breathtaking than the beauty of California’s expansive coastline, and no better way to see it than on a Bay Aerial Helicopter Tour.  While I recommend you experience a helicopter tour with Bay Aerial first hand yourself – definitely check out this California Living’s Season 8 Half Moon Bay, CA travel special since that’s exactly what we’ve done to show you the sights and get an overview of “Princeton-By-The-Sea” – a phenominal getaway spot on the California’s Coast.

The “sky’s the limit” in this CA Living travel special of the season delivering the “Insider’s Guide” on where to Stay & Play in this “park your car and walk everywhere” Bay Area hotspot - which is a convenient 45 minute drive from anywhere in the Bay Area and a quick 20 minutes from SFO.

Now while the annual Mavericks Surf Competition is usually referred to as being in Half Moon Bay, CA – Mavericks is actually located in Princeton-By-The-Sea” – which was discovered by Big Wave Rider legend and Mavericks Surf Competition Founder  Jeff Clark.  We interview Jeff Clark at his Mavericks Surf Shop in this show and hear first hand about his unique story of how Mavericks all began.  Then - we hit the beach with Clark for a Stand Up Paddle Board session on one of his handcrafted SUP’S and have just a ton of FUN!!!

In Food & Wine – we meet with Paul and Julie Shenkman Co-Owners of Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay, CA for the inside look at how Sam’s offers both great oceanfront views AND great food – a winning combination that’s hard to beat! We also spotlight the authentic Italian cuisine at Mezza Luna Restaurant in “Princeton by the Sea”  – and to top off all the fun and excitement…

We check out the Oceano Hotel & Spa where I indulge in a decadent spa treatment reminiscent of Cleopatra’s famed beauty regimens – and of which I am sure if she were around today would be quite envious of…but I’m not going to give it all away here - you’ll just  have to tune in:

Thursday, Jan 24, 2013 @ 6:30 a.m. on KKPX-TV 65/Comcast Cable 16 in San Francisco – an Jose – Oakland, CA and on KSPX-TV Channel 29/Comcast Channel 11 in Sacramento, CA.  Please heck your local listings for Dish and Direct TV Channels.  Aprilanne

The 2013 “Super Bowl of Big Wave Surfing” Mavericks Surf Competition is on for Sunday, January 20, 2013 in Pillar Point Harbor near Half Moon Bay, CA.  

The California Living™ TV Special on Mavericks, the Princeton By The Sea, Half Moon Bay, CA travel destination featuring an in-depth interview with  Jeff Clark airs:

Thursday, Jan 24, 2013 @ 6:30 a.m. on KKPX-TV 65/Comcast Cable 16 in San Francisco – an Jose – Oakland, CA and on KSPX-TV Channel 29/Comcast Channel 11 in Sacramento, CA.  Please heck your local listings for Dish and Direct TV Channels.  

In case your not in our viewing area – you can check out our interview with Jeff Clark below:

To paraphrase Mavericks Surf Competition founder Jeff Clark, Mavericks is the “Super Bowl” of Big Wave Riding – wherein “the best surfers in the world are invited to take on the biggest waves on the planet “- which just happen to be in the Princeton by the Sea area of  Half Moon Bay, CA.   Jeff Clark discovered this “Everest of waves” and founded the Mavericks Surf Competition held annually at Mavericks.

I have never met a more passionate, genuine, and likable person as Jeff Clark  – and we  had a ton of FUN filming with him at his Mavericks Surf Shop in Half Moon Bay and riding with him on his hand crafted SUP”S - Stand Up Paddle Boards for this show.

Enjoy!  Aprilanne

Adventurists, Outdoor Lovers, Foodies, Beach Goers, and Bird Watchers will Fall in Love with Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay, CA.

There you’ll find just 45 minutes from anywhere in the Bay Area  – or a short 20 minute drive from SFO - the Oceano Hotel & Spa in Half Moon Bay  ~ the “perfect coastal getaway.”

Pictured on left, one of the great features of this property is it’s central – “hub-like” location which is in walking distance to everything the “Princeton by the Sea” – Pillar Point Harbor location offers.

Outdoor activities such as kayaking, whale watching, and Bay Aerial Helicopter tours are all just a short stroll from the hotel (literally).  We checked out the coast line from one of Bay Aerials tours and got the inside look at this Half Moon Bay Coastal Village from a very different perspective - the sky – it was absolutely phenomenal!

There is a fun shopping lane adjacent to the hotel, and a plethora of dining options to choose from including the award winning waterfront dining at Sam’s Chowder House where the authentic East Coast Style specialty seafood dishes are as incredible as the oceanfront views!

Built in 2008, this luxury property offers the casual elegance of a high end resort blended with all the comforts of home.  Each room boasts designer coastal decor, a private veranda with full on harbor and ocean views, flat screen television, fireplace, and wet-bar.  I thought the complimentary water bottles in the room’s fridge were also a nice touch.

After just one day at the Oceano I found myself contemplating the idea of staying longer!  I fell in love with the bamboo bed linens and ultra comfy beds, and found sitting by the fireplace at night the perfect way to relax after a day exploring the coast.  The peaceful sound of the fog horn in the distance at night lulled me to sleep – and I slept so well I thought I was actually “home” when I first woke up – a true sign of a restful night’s sleep away from home.

Romantics, outdoor enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and spa lovers will want for nothing when staying at the Oceano Hotel & Spa’s “park your car and walk everywhere” location.  Be sure to check out their numerous getaway packages - which range from golf to whale watching to the Oceano’s new spa offerings – where the facilities are brand spanking new and the service is divine.  And for those of you who can’t bear to be away from your sweetie for even a moment – The Oceano Coastal Spa offers a couples massage room with a deep soaking copper tub for two and double massage tables – clearly they have thought of everything!

This area of Half Moon Bay, CA is also the location the world-famous Maverick’s Surf Competition which is held annually in the winter when giant waves start pounding the surf and the world’s best big wave surfers are invited to compete.  You may find Maverick’s Founder and Maverick’s Surf Shop owner Jeff Clark with his lovely wife Cassandra at Maverick’s Surf Shop when you visit their shop  in town – and should definitely look into renting/buying stand up paddle boards and/or surfboards hand crafted by Clark for a great outdoor adventure and a workout that’s also fun!

Where to eat in Princeton By the Sea, Half Moon Bay, CA: The Oceano’s “create your own omelet” option on the room service menu is a great choice for breakfast if you want to take in the sights of the harbor and ocean from your private veranda while enjoying a healthy, tasty meal.

We ordered the ‘roasted mushroom, spinach, and Harley Farms Goat Cheese omelet” three days in a row (yes – it was that good!).   PLUS – they grow many of the vegetables they serve right on the property for providing you with the freshest ingredients available!

The Mezza Luna Cafe is just next door where you’ll find specialty coffees, homemade pastries, sandwiches, pizza, and gelatos.

For lunch or dinner – check out Sam’s Chowder House’s awarding winning “Lobster Roll,” and/or their Cioppino. If you are craving an authentic Italian dining experience on the coast try Mezza Luna Italian Restaurant’s fresh seafood pasta offerings.  Just keep in mind – with accommodations and food offerings this good – you too may find yourself figuring out a way to extend your stay – a definite sign you are indeed enjoying the “good life” this incredible California destination has to offer – ENJOY!  Aprilanne

Aprilanne Hurley SFN is a Certified Specialist in Fitness Nutrition, author of The Party Girl Diet, and Health Expert for California Living, the Bay Area’s original lifestyle show featuring California’s trends in food, travel, and healthy living. Hurley’s new book, The Party Girl Diet is a healthy, sustainable lifestyle plan combining today’s groundbreaking health and nutrition research with Hurley’s penchant for good living to deliver a revolutionary new diet and lifestyle that lets you  “Keep the Party Going…While You Lose the Weight!”

Order your copy of The Party Girl Diet on Amazon.com

Portions of this article also ran on Aprilanne Hurley’s San Francisco Nutrition Examiner page.