Perfect Presents| Nov-Dec 2014

You will be so happy shopping HALF MOON BAY this Holiday Season.  Our local business owners carry such fun and unique treasures every year.  Here are the shopping events around the Coastside, that I know of, between this weekend and December 22.  In addition, I’m sharing a few of my favorite local spots to check out while you’re in the spirit.  Happy Shopping!

FRI 11/21 through SUN 12/7 – CAL Holiday BazaART at Coastal Arts League and Museum.  Zaballa Square, 300 Main Street, Half Moon Bay.

Added 11/21:  FRI 11/21 & SAT 11/22, 10:00am – 4:00pm – Christmas Boutique 2450 South Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay (South of Hwy 92, just south of Joe’s Restaurant in the Ocean Colony Partners Building).  Benefits Village of the Coastside and Coastside Women’s Club.

SUN 11/22 from 10:00am to 5:00pm – Colony of Coastside Artists Open Studios

Colony of Coastside Artists (CoCA) is a group of artists from Montara to half Moon Bay who specialize in making fine art, mixed media, photography, glass works, textiles, jewelry, ceramics, batik, and more.  MAP of Artist locations here.

FRI 12/5 from 6:00-9:00pm – The 2014 Night of Lights on Main Street in downtown Half Moon Bay

Visit downtown Half Moon Bay during Night of Lights and find the trees decorated in dazzling lights and many stores will stay open late for you to do some holiday shopping in the unique and decked out Main Street shops.

SUN 12/7 from 9:00am – 2:00pm – Annual Farallone View Winter Festival

The children’s shopping hour is from 9:00-10:00am where kids can come shop on their own and have their presents wrapped.  Pictures with Santa from 11am – 1pm.  4th and 5th grade “elves” are available to help if needed. Great one of a kind gifts / hand crafted arts and crafts.  Farallone View Elementary school is located in idyllic setting a few miles north of Half Moon Bay at 3rd & Le Conte in Montara.

SUN 12/7 – 12:30-5:00pm – Holiday Sale/Open House with William Kirk Photography

Exquisite handmade jewelry by Claire Ellis of Eclarity Arts.  Natural skincare soaps and lotions handmade with flora and organic food-grade ingredients by Debby of Gaia Essentials.  Gifts of fine art photography, jewelry and soaps.  Door prize raffle for photography, jewelry and skincare.  New work by both Kirk and Claire plus tasty refreshments.  Special 50% off sale on lots of photographs.  Where: 111 Escalona Ave., El Granada, 94018.  Info/directions: 650 726-3491.

SAT 12/13 & SUN 12/14Harley Farms Christmas Faire

The Harley Farms Christmas Faire is a sensational winter destination. Shop two barns filled with holiday presents from Coastside artists while enjoying live music, complimentary hot mulled cider and homemade cookies. Treasures include hand carved ornaments, pewter, pottery, photography, quilts, candles, textiles, jams, chutneys and sweets. Don’t miss the farm’s chic wrapped parcels of award-winning cheeses and luxurious goat milk bath and body treats, ready for giving. 205 North Street, Pescadero, (650) 879-0480.

FRI 11/28 to WED 12/ 24 – 9am to 5pm – Pastorino Farms – Christmas In the Gift Barn

SATURDAYS through mid-November – Shoreline Station at Kelly Ave & Hwy 1, HMB – The Coastside Certified Farmer’s Market

Award-winning and locally sourced, this market focuses on foods grown within 100 mile radius of the market site, with priority placement for produces from the San Mateo county Coastside.  Fantastic gift ideas from local chocolate, honey, floral and other types of vendors.  Local musicians, dancers and coastal artisans add a lively flavor and local color to the Market each week.

Some of the best places to find special gifts in Half Moon Bay – from my own experience:

Goldworks – they will create a “Wish List” for you and keep it on file throughout the year in case someone needs a hint.  They have a nice mix of designers and stones, will appraise, and resell estate pieces.  Note:  The former “Main Street Goldworks” business has closed.  It reopened under the new ownership of the former owner’s son and it is as great as ever.  Don’t be fooled by out of date online notices that it has closed its doors. 542 Main Street, Half Moon Bay.  650-726-2546.

AlenaJean – a charming nursery, flower and gift shop that dazzles the mind.  If you are shopping for anything from a hostess gift to a fabulous Holiday table centerpiece, this is the place.  The owner, Alena Jean, is a gifted designer who can create a magical gift within your desired budget.  She’s a busy girl, so if you want something big, do give her a few days.  340 Purissima Street, Half Moon Bay.  760-726-3662.

Toque Blanche – a cozy and friendly shop for cooks or anyone kitchen-friendly.  The products are varied, ranging from those great kitchen mats to keep your legs from getting tired when you’re doing an all-day Bolognese sauce, to dinnerware, linens, clay pots, spices,and great stocking stuffer ideas.  It’s a more personal than some of the other well known cooking stores we know about, in my opinion, and definitely knowledgeable. 604 Main Street, Half Moon Bay.  650-726-6559.

Abode – a home décor shop with the flexibility to customize an entire home or wrap up a beautiful piece of jewelry.  Great candles, glasses, throws, frames, for unique and affordable gift ideas, or fabulous statement pieces for someone with some room in their budget to splurge.  417 Main Street, Half Moon Bay.  650-726-6060.

World’s Rare Plants Store – There is a little frontage road of shops right off Highway 92 just outside of town where this unique shop resides.  The owners are so friendly and helpful and gladly educate you on their unique offerings.  You can customize a planter or select one already designed; various sizes and types of unusual looking plants.  Fun place for kids to learn.  We took our niece to pick out plants that eat unwelcome fruit flies and house flies; she didn’t want to leave.  When we finally did leave with our purchase, it was with a plan to keep it thriving.  Like a pet, but easier.  Here is a photo of my niece taking in all the shapes and colors of this little plant world in a bowl about a month ago.  12511 San Mateo Road (Hwy 92), Half Moon Bay.

Lulu at World's Rare Plants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a good up to date post about Christmas at the Coastside.

Let me know if you hear of other ways I can support local artists.  Have a joy-filled, festive and peaceful Holiday Season.