Miramar, Half Moon Bay, CA

Miramar is the low beach neighborhood in Half Moon Bay's far north, where Highway 1 runs through town and Mirada Road fronts the sand. Its grid of streets carries Spanish explorer names, including Magellan, Coronado and Cortez. Houses in Miramar do not share a single look. Original coastal cottages stand beside mid-century infill, which makes up most of the stock, and rebuilt houses cluster nearest the water, with a few larger lots left from the old parcels. The grid grew a little at a time over a century, so each block has its own character. Most homes sit a quarter mile or less from the Pacific, and the beach is the neighborhood's front yard. Roosevelt Beach and Dunes Beach belong to Half Moon Bay State Beach, linked by the paved Coastside Trail. Farther north, Surfers Beach and Pillar Point Harbor Beach sit by the harbor, with the Mavericks break offshore. Miramar Beach Restaurant at 131 Mirada Road sits oceanfront and serves American dishes. Sam's Chowder House at 4210 Cabrillo Highway North is known for lobster rolls and clam chowder, and Hangetsu Sushi at number 2810 serves a set Japanese meal. Within walking distance down the street, the Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society holds jazz and classical concerts in the Douglas Beach House at 311 Mirada Road. For coffee, people drive south to Granola's Coffee House. Daily life uses the highway. Small stops are in Princeton and El Granada to the north, and bigger shopping happens at Safeway on Cabrillo Highway North. The route inland is Highway 92. Salt air is hard on houses and decks, and fog is frequent. Weekends add beach parking and slow traffic on the coast highway, and El Granada's harbor restaurants and shops lie just north. With the beach this close, a walk to the water is part of most days.