Pacifica, Half Moon Bay versus Peninsula (eg San Carlos) (Daly City: home, middle school)

[bloom]

What are some major issues why one would or would not consider moving to Pacifica, Half Moon Bay versus the usual Peninsula corridor? Working at airport. 2 kids in middle school. Are schools excellent, very good, good, fair, bad? Is fog type weather totally oppressive (yesterday seemed fine but I think Sept/Oct are best not representative months). Other major issues? Thanks in advance.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by bloom

What are some major issues why one would or would not consider moving to Pacifica, Half Moon Bay versus the usual Peninsula corridor? Working at airport. 2 kids in middle school. Are schools excellent, very good, good, fair, bad? Is fog type weather totally oppressive (yesterday seemed fine but I think Sept/Oct are best not representative months). Other major issues? Thanks in advance.

The coast has more fog and wind than the usual peninsula corridor. To get between the bay and ocean, you have to travel over the mountains on 2 lane roads. Both Pacifica and Half Moon Bay are small towns and there's limited shopping and things to do.

The schools in San Carlos are very good.

[LeftyTrav]

^^^^ he pretty much nailed it.

I live in Half Moon Bay. Going into the city is a piece of cake...Hwy 1 through Pacifica, no problem. However, to get anywhere on the central Peninsula, Hwy 92 is the main option. During rush hour times it can get tedious. My wife and I really enjoy the weather out here, but realize it's not for everyone.

Pacifica has two Safeway's at either end of town, with a couple of smaller independent markets in the middle. Half Moon Bay/El Granada...etc, etc....has a Safeway and a community Market, along with a Farmer's Market at Pillar Point on Sunday. That's about it. Other than hardware items at the very well-stocked Ace Hardware, it's over the hill for anything else.

Probably the biggest issue for us is the weekend traffic from all of the out of towners coming over the hill to escape the heat. The hotter it is along the peninsula, the worse the traffic gets on Hwy 1/92.

I guess what I am saying is: If you want to get away from the rat race a bit, and the heat of the summers, yet still have some decent access, Pacifica is a better choice. Half Moon Bay and its neighboring towns are more remote, yet in my opinion, a nicer area than Pacifica. Yes, I lived in both places.

good luck...

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by bloom

What are some major issues why one would or would not consider moving to Pacifica, Half Moon Bay versus the usual Peninsula corridor? Working at airport. 2 kids in middle school. Are schools excellent, very good, good, fair, bad? Is fog type weather totally oppressive (yesterday seemed fine but I think Sept/Oct are best not representative months). Other major issues? Thanks in advance.

Working at which airport, S.F.? Then you have good advice from Lefty Trav. Halfmoon Bay is a very small rural community, if you like that sort of thing. About 30 minutes' drive from there is Santa Cruz, which has better weather, and more going on, being a university town. Nice downtown shopping district, a Whole Foods grocery and a couple of other organic groceries, along with Safeway and Albertson's. I'm suggesting that it would be good for weekend visits. A bit too far a commute to work for your needs, but a good place for family activities.

[bloom]

Originally Posted by LeftyTrav

^^^^ he pretty much nailed it.

I live in Half Moon Bay. Going into the city is a piece of cake...Hwy 1 through Pacifica, no problem. However, to get anywhere on the central Peninsula, Hwy 92 is the main option. During rush hour times it can get tedious. My wife and I really enjoy the weather out here, but realize it's not for everyone.

Pacifica has two Safeway's at either end of town, with a couple of smaller independent markets in the middle. Half Moon Bay/El Granada...etc, etc....has a Safeway and a community Market, along with a Farmer's Market at Pillar Point on Sunday. That's about it. Other than hardware items at the very well-stocked Ace Hardware, it's over the hill for anything else.

Probably the biggest issue for us is the weekend traffic from all of the out of towners coming over the hill to escape the heat. The hotter it is along the peninsula, the worse the traffic gets on Hwy 1/92.

I guess what I am saying is: If you want to get away from the rat race a bit, and the heat of the summers, yet still have some decent access, Pacifica is a better choice. Half Moon Bay and its neighboring towns are more remote, yet in my opinion, a nicer area than Pacifica. Yes, I lived in both places.

good luck...

Thanks all and LeftyTrav.
Trader Joes?
How long does it take along 92 to airport from HM?
If one lives in Pacifica, which is better to drive east - Sharp Rd or Up the 1 to 280 - is that tedious too? Also how long to airport?

[LeftyTrav]

bloom,

The airport from Pacifica is no problem. You can either take Sharp Park Rd (my choice) and catch the 280 to the 380 to the 101. Or Hwy 1 to the 280 and on from there. Do you actually work at the airport? If so, 9-5'ish...or what?

HMB to the airport going the 92 is all about the time you depart. If it's during morning commute, I would absolutely recommend taking HWY 1 to Sharp Park Rd as mentioned above (about 40+/-mins). Less aggravation and a bit quicker. Any other time, you can take the 92 to either the 280 N...or take it down to the 101. Either way you're looking at 30-35mins travel time to SFO. Again, it will depend on what time you need to go. From about 7am-9:30am the 92 can be slow. The only good thing is East Bound the 92 does go into two lanes for passing for a nice stretch. It does help.

No Trader Joe's along the Ocean side. Nearest would be either the Westlake shopping center in Daly City, or there are a couple in San Mateo over the hill using the 92....one on Hillsdale Blvd the other I think on Grant St.

[twins4lynn]

Originally Posted by LeftyTrav

No Trader Joe's along the Ocean side. Nearest would be either the Westlake shopping center in Daly City, or there are a couple in San Mateo over the hill using the 92....one on Hillsdale Blvd the other I think on Grant St.

There is a Trader Joe's in Millbrae. When I worked at SFO employees who drove would frequently take a drive over during lunch to shop.

[sirmilton]

I personally would prefer to live in San Carlos due to the climate, shopping facilities, schools, and recreational facilities. I am more of a city person, though. If you want to get away from the city life, but still be near everything Half Moon Bay could be the ticket. I enjoy taking walks around HMB, going to the beach, fishing, and visiting the shops around there. They have nice stores for agricultural purposes.

[LeftyTrav]

Originally Posted by twins4lynn

There is a Trader Joe's in Millbrae. When I worked at SFO employees who drove would frequently take a drive over during lunch to shop.

Yes, I didn't include that one because it didn't as direct a route to it from Pacifica or HMB....but it slipped my mind that it could be hit on the way home from the airport.

[bloom]

Schools?