Outdoor Activities and Sports
HMB's Venice Beach
Golf, ocean kayaking, whale watching, cycling and horseback riding are some of the many ways to have fun outdoors year-round in HMB. Sport fishing for salmon, lingcod, rockfish and tuna is available seasonally depending on regulations and fish populations.
Galleries and Shops
Many shops and galleries in town feature the work of local artists and artisans, from painters to woodworkers. The Coastal Art League gallery features special exhibits several times each year. Small boutiques offer unique apparel, jewelry, and handcrafted items that make great gifts.
Farms, Festivals, and Nurseries
HMB in October
HMB is famous for its pumpkin farms, which display and sell pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors every fall. The annual Pumpkin Festival, held the weekend following Columbus Day, is a highlight. There are also flower nurseries and markets, Christmas tree farms, and a family farm where kids can enjoy pony rides, train rides and a petting zoo. Once a year (in mid-July), the popular Tour des Fleurs opens a large number of local farms, nurseries and wineries to the public. The farmers' market is held every Saturday from May to mid-December.
Local Interest
Points of educational and historical interest include the Fitzgerald marine reserve in nearby Moss Beach and Pigeon Point lighthouse, 20 miles south of HMB near the fishing town of Pescadero.
Beaches
Northern elephant seals
HMB has many beautiful beaches. Ano Nuevo State Reserve, 27 miles south of HMB, is home to northern elephant seals during the winter breeding season (December 15 to March 31). Daily docent-led tours of the reserve are quite popular and fill up early.
Food and Drink
Though small, HMB offers a number of restaurants, bakeries and cafes. Three nearby wineries offer tastings.
Theater
Coastal Repertory Theatre produces musicals, dramas and a community talent show each season. There's also a children's theater. Productions are popular and commonly sell out.
Nearby
Tiny Pescadero, about 15 miles south of HMB, has unique shops, a bakery, goat dairy and country store. There are hiking trails, rural roads for great cycling, and a marsh for bird-watching. Butano State Park, about 5 miles east, is home to tall, ancient redwoods.
