Coastside Holidays and Gift Giving Guide 2014

Learn about La Posada

Look inside for fun Coastside events!

Holidays&G

ift-GivingGuide

CoastsideHalf Moon Bay Review

2014

Secret ShoppingOur secret shoppers hopped around

town looking for unique gift ideas. Here is what caught their eye.

Visit Pescadero for this traditional processionUnique holiday traditions that

happen only on the Coastside.

SHOP LOCAL!

2 Coastside Holidays Half Moon Bay Review

MAZZETTI ’S BAKERYCeleb r a t i ng 40 yea r s !

101 Manor Drive, Pacifica • 650.355.1007 • Mon-Sat 6am-7pm, Sun 6am-6pm .

TO HAVE A PLACE TO GO IS CALLED HOME • TO HAVE SOMEONE TO LOVE IS CALLED FAMILY • TO HAVE BOTH IS A BLESS ING

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PLANNING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

YOUR FULL-SERVICE FAMILY BAKERY ON THE COAST!

FAMILY OWNED FOR OVER 40 YEARS! FRESH ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS.

Half Moon Bay Review Coastside Holidays 3

I n this annual holiday effort, warm-hearted Coastsiders sign up to fill holiday wish lists of low-income local families or seniors, which are wrapped and presented anonymously. This year, volunteer coordinator Judy O’Leary says organizers

hope to help 270 families and 60 seniors over the holidays.The Adopt-a-Family warehouse

opened in November, when 200 wrappers got busy.

Families in need of help seem to be a little larger this year, O’Leary said, with average family size being about five. A lot of children, are asking for chapter books. Seniors who sign up range in age from 60 to 94, and many ask for gift certificates for food or clothing, and special things like a juicer, she said.

To help with Adopt-a-Family, contact O’Leary at (650) 273-3967, or mail donations to P.O. Box 1089, El Granada, CA 94818.

What: Adopt a FamilyContact: Judy O’LearyInfo: (650) 273-3967

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Adopt-a-Family is a Coastside tradition

There is perhaps no Half Moon Bay event quite so Half Moon Bay as the Night of Lights. It’s not only a celebration of the season – it’s also a celebration of friends and neighbors who turn out on Main Street on a seasonal December

night that is always magical.This year is the 15th year for Night of Lights, and it all begins at Mac Dutra

Park. That’s where the community will gather to see the lighting of the community tree.

It’s a perfect perch from which to watch the year’s most well-lit parade. Beginning about 7 p.m., children, civic groups and some of the coast’s most beloved businesses will parade down Main Street to the delight of children of all ages. Entries will be judged and the resulting winners will shine bright all year long.

Once again, you’ll find Santa on his throne in front of the Review offices on Kelly Avenue, just off Main Street. He’ll be checking to see who is naughty and nice. And if you still need something for the nice folks on your holiday list, downtown stores will be open late.

Expect a night filled with carols, eggnog and even roasted chestnuts!

Night of Lights is a

down-home, downtown

event

What: Night of LightsWhen: 6 to 9 p.m., Dec. 5Where: Main Street, Half Moon Bay


San Mateo County Harbor District cordially invites you to

Pillar Point Harbor’s 27th Annual

Lighted Boat Festival!Berthers are invited to decorate their boats in a holiday fashion. Don’t miss your chance at this

year’s exciting prizes!

Visit our “Giving Zone” this year and drop off any unwrapped

gifts or canned goods.

Special appearance by Santa, the San Mateo Elks Concert Band, and Half Moon Bay School Choir.

Call the Harbormaster Office at 650-726-4382 with any questions.

We’ll see you then on Saturday, December 13 at 6pm!


There is no place on the coast more cheerful this holiday season than the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.

And nothing screams holidays on the coast quite like a tree-lighting on the Ocean Lawn. You’ll see holiday carolers and Santa all while enjoying apple cider, cookies, hot chocolate and eggnog. The event is free and open to all.

Gingerbread anyone? Once again, the Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay, will host a competition with categories for children, amateurs and professional chefs. The results will be on display from Dec. 1 through Dec. 7 and some will be auctioned off for charity. The winners will be announced at the tree-lighting ceremony.

This year, local residents can join in the fun for a series of holiday movie nights at the resort. The Ritz will be showing The Polar Express on Dec. 14, Miracle on 34th Street on Dec. 21 and Elf on Dec. 28. All of the movies will be shown at the Ocean Terrace on the resort grounds. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. It’s complimentary for registered guests and $10 for visitors. Movies begin 30 minutes after sunset, weather permitting.

Visit ritzcarlton.com/hmb for details.

Have yourself a

Ritz-y holiday What: Tree-lighting and Gingerbread house contestWhen: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Dec. 7Where: Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay Review Coastside Holidays 7 Half Moon Bay Review Coastside Holidays 7

601 & 617 Main Street shop.oddyssea.com

650-440-4555

Oddyssea Outside:

Do-It-Yourself Activities Electric Bike Rentals Private

Parties Mining Flume

Oddyssea Inside :

Over 1500 unique science, nature, and art products.

We specialize in gifts for people who are impossible to

surprise.

Explore. Create.

Discover.


The lights of the holidays are one of the most special aspects of the celebrations this time of year. And the lights twinkle best when they are reflected off coastal waters.

The Pillar Point Harbor Lighted Boat Festival is set for the evening of Dec. 13 this year. Rest assured, commercial and pleasure boat captains will have spent considerable time and effort by then creating something you can only see in the Coastside harbor. Boats will be festooned with bright lights and winners will be crowned in several categories. Expect the winners to be announced on the pier at about 8 p.m.

There will be special appearances by the man of the season, Santa Claus himself, and the Half Moon Bay High School choir and San Mateo Elks Club band will keep everyone warm inside with holiday music.

The event isn’t just about sparkling lights and fun. Visit the giving zone to drop off unwrapped gifts and canned goods that will be donated to charity.

What: Lighted Boat FestivalWhen: 6 to 8 p.m., Dec. 13Where: Johnson Pier off of Capistrano Road in Princeton

Light up the

harbor


See our website for ordering and local retailers(650) 728-7745 | www.gaia-essentials.com

116 La Grande Ave, Moss Beach

Gaia E ssentials bel ieves in using the purest of organic ingredients • Oodles of handmade products & soaps• Create your own gift bags & sets• Countless combinat ions• Perfect g ifts for al l on your l ist

Visit The Studio!D.I.Y. holiday

gift ideas

Togetherwe can make the perfect holiday gifts for you to give.650-726-3821

519 Main Street, Half Moon Bay

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The ideal place for your Holiday apparel and gifts!

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H A N D C R A F T E D

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650-712-8078www.myhandmadehome.com

621 Main Street, Half Moon Bay


Coastside motorcycle club collects toys, does poker run

Leather-clad motorcycle riders joined by Santa Claus in an automobile “sleigh,” with their bikes loaded with stuffed animals and other toys, seems an incongruous sight. But this year it

means the Unknown Motorcycle Club has emerged for its 32nd annual Toy and Poker Run.

While the Unknowns like their privacy, they will make their presence known by Thanksgiving, setting up barrels to collect unwrapped toys and school supplies for kids of all ages at Coastside post offices and at American Legion Post 474 in Princeton.

On Dec. 13, at 10 a.m., the Unknowns meet at the American Legion at 470 Capistrano Road in Princeton, accompanied by Santa, to take the toys collected so far from those boxes to the Coastside

Hope warehouse in Princeton. Then they collect cash for the pot and roar off on their time-honored Poker Run. Members of the public are welcome to hop on their motorcycles and join in.

They ride to several destinations around the Coastside — Duarte’s

Tavern in Pescadero, Apple Jack’s in La Honda, the San Gregorio Store and maybe one more chosen at random, maybe Ketch Joanne’s or the Old Princeton Landing, collecting one card at each stop.

At the end, the rider with the best poker hand gets half the cash in the pot. The other half goes covers expenses of the poker run.

For information, contact Unknown and event organizer Jim Holsman of Coastside Technical Services at 712-0100.

Unknowns emerge for Christmas

650 240 6550 • LUZLUNAIMPORTS.COM527 MAIN STREET (NEAR KELLY), HALF MOON BAY

★★★★★

HAPPY

HOLIDAYS

★★★★★

This holiday season give the unforgettable gift of travel.

Mary, Ginger, Susan, Chris, Aimee, Ely

“Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.”

650-726-7345 • SHORELINE STATION225 S. Cabrillo Hwy., Ste. C108, HALF MOON BAY

BAYWORLDTRAVEL.COM

BAY WORLD TRAVEL

CST# 2034794 -10

What: Toy and Poker RunWhen: Dec. 13 at 10 a.m.Where: American Legion, 470 Capistrano Road


C oastsiders who drive through town during the holidays know how the sweeping lawn in front of Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church, on Kelly Avenue, turns into Bethlehem

every Christmas season.That’s when the Knights of Columbus sets up a cozy crèche

in which sit two adults portraying Mary and Joseph, with Mary holding a doll representing the Baby Jesus. Surrounding them again this year are other figures and animals from biblical lore.

This is the “Live Nativity,” which this year marks 27 years as a Coastside institution. Ever since respected OLP parishioner

Mel Schwing developed the idea, it has drawn the faithful from as far as Hayward and all around the Coastside, to gaze on the scene that is the bedrock of Christmas. Many come just to look at it, others park their cars and step outside them to kneel in prayer. Still others join the characters in the church for Mass.

This year, the scene will go on much as it always has, says parishioner Oscar Braun of Half Moon Bay, who took over the logistics of organizing the scene since Schwing’s retirement in 2011.

At the scene, live actors playing Mary and Joseph sit in the stable, surrounded by other volunteers portraying wise men and shepherds. On both days, Braun said, Mary and Joseph will be portrayed by teens from the church’s confirmation classes. The wise men and shepherds will be portrayed by a contingent of adult and teen volunteers.

The small shed representing the stable will be set up on Dec. 17, with statues representing the biblical figures. The scene with live actors will take place in the afternoon and early evening on Christmas Eve, and in the early part of the day on Christmas Day. On both days, the scene will begin an hour before the Mass and continue for an hour afterward.

Nativity scene is reborn for the 27th year

RYAN A. HENSPETTER, D.M.D DIANA DIZIK, D.D.S.

Give thegift of a

whitersmile...

Ask about ourgift certificates

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RYAN A. HENSPETTER, D.M.D DIANA DIZIK, D.D.S.CHRISTOPHER JEN KIN D.D.S.669 CRESPI DR., SUITE F PACIFICA, CA 94044(650) 359-1646 PACIFICADENTIST.COM

What: Live Nativity SceneWhen: Dec. 24 and 25Where: Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church

For the wine lover

CHILL Pouring Spout by HOST Chill, pour, preserve! After just 2 hours in the freezer, your CHILL is ready to use. Pour the first glass, insert the CHILL Pouring Spout and enjoy effortless chilled wine. Drip free pour spout cools your wine while you pour and the leak proof stopper keeps your half full bottle fresh while your cooling rod recharges in the freezer.$19.99Half Moon Bay Wine & Cheese Co.


For the family pet

Cozy Pet Bed Keep your canine friends comfortable this Christmas and beyond. They’ll appreciate the warmth of a new bed and reward you with smiles! Starting at $35Kibbles ‘n Gifts

For the Do It You Yourselfer

STIHL Chainsaws Dad is tired of having to borrow the neighbor’s chainsaw every time a branch comes down! Get him one of his own. The STIHL brand saws will keep him cutting for many, many years. Starting at $179Hassett ACE Hardware

For the art lover

Perfect reminders of the beauty of the San Mateo County Coastside. Ellen Joseph’s paintings are available in a variety of affordable gifts such as pendants, mouse pads and key chains. $8-$25Colors of the Coast

For the inquisitive kid

Super Spy Phone Discover how sound travels & learn some amazing facts about spy phones. Can be used as a hydophone to detect sounds in water. Also a geophone for detecting sounds traveling through the ground.$22Oddyssea

Secret Shopping

We sent some Half Moon Bay Review staffers out in the streets and asked them to do

some virtual shopping. What catches your eye? What gifts would be fun to give? This is far from a definitive list. Rather, its a sample of the unique items that can be found, without leaving the Coastside. We’re hoping it gives you some ideas for all the special people on your list!

For the jewelry collector

Galatea Pearl set in yellow gold with diamonds. The pearls are carved Tahitian black pearls that were grown around a core of turqoise and then hand-carved to reveal it. Pendant (with chain): $995

Earrings: $1,675Goldworks


Stylish, elegant and casual boutique clothing,

lots of chunky jewelry,accessories and handbags

545 Main St., Half Moon BayMon-Fri 11:00 to 5:30

Sat & Sun 11:00 to 5:00(650)726-6062Happy Holidays!

Uniqueby Margo

Clothing

Fill your stockings at the

PaperCrane

315 Main Street | Half Moon Bay650-726-0722

Holiday Cards • Decorative BoxesGift Wrap • Journals • Stationary

Soaps • Lotions • Candles • And More!

Woof & Poof Christmas

707 Mill Street • 726-6300

Custom embroidered & personalizedgifts for men, women and children

Custom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalizedCustom embroidered & personalized

quashlossom

the quashquashquashquashlossomlossomlossomlossomlossomlossom

• Holiday Napkins & Tea Towels• Monogrammed Cashmere Scarves• Half Moon Bay & Gamer Babe Wear

HOLIDAYTREATS

FOR KIDS

SOME

THIN

G

SPEC

IAL F

OR

EVER

YONE

ON Y

OUR

LIST

!

315 MAIN STREET • 650-440-4710


604 E Main St. • Half Moon Bay • La Piazza Plaza

650.290.0775

F i n e A r t • S c u l p t u re • T u rq u o i s e J e we l r yS h e l l s • Fo s s i l s • W h a l e B o n e • C e ra m i c s

C a r v i n g s • S c r i m s h a w

YOUR NAT IVE AMER IC AN CONNECT ION

Unique One-of-a-kind gifts

In L a P ia zz a Pla z a

The Main Street Gallery & Gift Shoppe“A l l T hin g s O cea n”

E N T E R T H E C O U R T Y A R D643 Main Street · Half Moon Bay · 650-560-9131

PFXshowroom.com

PE

RS

ON

AL

FX

HO

LIDAY

Secret ShoppingFor the surfer

Vapor X 3 mil booties from Body Glove

Keep their tootsies warm in the winter surf with these 3

millimeter, sure fitting booties. Super warm and flexible. Don’t worry. Every surfer can always

use another pair!$65

Mavericks Surf Shop

For the dinosaur enthusiast

Dinosaur Art: The World’s Greatest Paleoart Absolutely incredible illustrations depicting these ancient animals. Ten top artists discuss their methods and distinct styles. 188 pages. Edited by Steve White.$35Bay Book Company

For the wildlife lover

Pewter Elk Head No need to shoot an elk to have the beauty of one in your den or office. This unique decoration will brighen up any room or garden. Just don’t hang your coats on it!$38Alean Jean


542 Main St. Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

[email protected]

phone: 650.726.2546fax: 650.726.5243

Colors of the Coast Gallery & Gift Shop

521 Main Street, Half Moon Bay ellenjoseph.com(650) 440-4527

10% offCoastal Gifts

with this AdValid thru 12/31/14

Secret Shopping

For the family chef

Fagor 3–in-1 Multicooker It’s a six-quart pressure cooker, rice cooker and slow cooker in one! From quick homemade stocks and broths to soups and grains, an essential tool for all cooks. $99.99Toque Blanche

For the theater lover

Coastal Rep Theater Tickets Give the gift of a fun night out with theater tickets from our local production company. Choose individual shows or really surprise them with season tickets to enjoy all year long. Tickets start at $17Coastal Repertory Theatre

For the Coastside lover

Beauty of the Coastside Calendar Keep track of the days and appointments while discovering some of the most beautiful spots on the San Mateo County Coast. Show off your community to friends who aren’t lucky enough to live here! $5.95Half Moon Bay Review


Ring in the New Year with ourBeautiful Himalayan and Crystal Singing Bowls

JEWELRY * CLOTHINGBEADS * SPIRITED GIFTS

524 Main Street, Half Moon Bay712-8457 | Open Daily 10-6

BEADS * SPIRITED GIFTS

One of the things that makes the coast special all year long is a rich cultural tie with the people of Mexico. This holiday season, get a taste of Christmas south of the border by attending La

Posada.The procession recalls the journey that biblical characters Mary

and Joseph made when trying to find a place to rest their weary heads in Bethlehem in the story of Christmas. The practice goes

back hundreds of years in Mexico and there are similar processions in the Philippines, Nicaragua and other Hispanic communities.

La Posada on the South Coast takes place on Dec. 19 and begins at Puente Costa de la Sur offices and includes a celebration of light at Pescadero Community Church. There will be food, music, a raffle and a visit from a special jolly man in a red suit.

See mypuente.org for all the details.

What: La PosadaWhen: 6 to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 19Where: Pescadero locations

La Posada brings tradition


P.O. Box 957, El Granada, CA 94018650.726.2926 | www.hulicat.com

• Fishing: Salmon,Rock Cod, Tuna, Crab, Squid

• Nature Trips/Bird Watching• Whale Watching

• Scatterings-At-Sea• Wine & Cheese Harbor Tour

• Farallon Island Trips

GIVE THE GIFT OF A RIDE ON THE HULI CAT

www.bkmotors.comThe Coastside’s Quality ConsignmentAuto Dealer and Full Service Detailer

LOCAL Pick Up

andDeliver

Open TUES-SAT, 10am-6pm Closed SUNDAY & MONDAY1343 Linda Mar Shopping Center

Pacifica • 650.355.4886 • jewelsforever.biz

Mentionthis ad for

10% OFF

Melodies

Motionin

Wall Clocks are stunningly decorative pieces that set melodies in motion with a rotating pendulum and dazzling Swarovski crystals.

AlenaJean Flower Shop

& Nursery

340 Purissima Street, Half Moon Bay | 726-3662alenasdesigns.com

Unique Holidaydecor &

gifts

Plants, flowers and much more

Tue-Sat 10–5Sun 11–3

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Gifts A GoGo353 Main Street, Half Moon Bay

650-440-4348

www.giftsagogo.com

• Over95percentofourproductsarehandcraftedintheUSA!

• Witheverypurchaseyouhelpsupportanartisan!

• LargeselectionofhandmadeOrnamentsandStockingStuffers!!!

• Jewelry,OrganicBathProducts,Pottery,Glassware,GiftsBasketsandmore!

• Wehaveuniquegiftsyoucan’tfindanywhereelse!

• Fun,friendly,shoppingexperience!

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Voted a favorite place to buy gifts by Readers Choice


We’ve got Great Holiday

Gifts!

Half Moon Bay Electric Company429 Main Street Half Moon Bay | 726-2711

We’ve got We’ve got We’ve got We’ve got We’ve got We’ve got We’ve got We’ve got We’ve got Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday

Half Moon Bay Electric Company429 Main Street Half Moon Bay | 726-2711429 Main Street Half Moon Bay | 726-2711

We’ve got We’ve got We’ve got We’ve got We’ve got We’ve got Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday Great Holiday

Half Moon Bay Electric Company429 Main Street Half Moon Bay | 726-2711429 Main Street Half Moon Bay | 726-2711

NightlightsSuncatchersWindchimes

SeascapesWhere she sells seashells by the seashore!

Zaballa Square, 330 Main St. #105Half Moon Bay | (650)712-8096

• Craft shells & sea fans for mirrors, wreaths & shadow boxes• Starfish • Urchins • Sand Dollars• Corals • Multitude of Seaglass products

P. Cottontail & Co.650-726-0200 • 330 Main St., H.M.B. • pcottontail.com

Clothing,Shoes & Gifts

Located in Zaballa Square

for Infants & Children

You Name It!!

Holiday Decorations • Crystal & ChinaVintage Toys • CollectiblesMen & Women’s Jewelry

Gift Certificates • Stocking Stuffers

Open 7 Days • 10 am - 6 pm

650-738-1991488 Manor Plaza, Pacifica | www.ynipacifica.com

Unique Gifts Make Your Holidays Special

Did you know?

The holiday season has arrived, and millions of people across the globe will be celebrating Christmas with their families and friends. Here is some trivia you can share around the Christmas dinner table. Impress that know-it-all uncle!

Each year, more than three billion Christmas cards are sent in the United States alone.

Before turkey, the traditional Christmas meal served in England was a pig’s head and mustard.

Christmas trees typically grow for 15 years before they’re cut and sold. This means the trees sold today were likely planted in 1999.

Christmas was not declared an official holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870.

Santa Claus’ modern look was inspired by writings from The Knickerbockers of New York and imagery from Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” Moore denied authoring the famous poem for 15 years after it was published anonymously, feeling the poem was beneath his talents.


330 Main Street #101Half Moon Bay 726-3080

Make your holiday gifts more

colorful!Specializing in lowvoltage custom lighting

Everything is unique!

Over 70 ArtistsHand Blown Glass

Beautiful Baltic AmberJewleryArt on Copper

Leather Bags & Mary Frances Bags

Perfume Bottles & Small Gifts

HEAVENLY 1 HR FOOT MASSAGE $25(with this ad and purchase of gift card 5-pack or more)

650 590 09992320 Cabrillo Hwy S

Half Moon Bay

www.cloud9spa.us

CHOICE

2014

R E A D E R S

Original coupon required. Valid at 146 SAN MATEO ROAD - HALF MOON BAY location only. One item per coupon. Not to be combined with any other offer. Void if copied, transferred, repro-duced and where prohibited. Cash value 1/20¢ Expires 01/31/2015

V a l u a b l e C o u p o n

Christmas factsMale reindeer tend to shed their antlers in the winter. This means Santa’s reindeer are likely female.

The song “Jingle Bells” was originally written for Thanksgiving and not Christmas. People loved it so much that the lyrics were changed to fit Christmas.

Many people may be less inclined to stand under mistletoe waiting for a kiss if they knew what “mistletoe” means in the ancient Germanic language. It literally means “dung on a twig,” for the bird that eats the berries and then leaves seeds in droppings to propagate new plants.

Each holiday season, PNC Wealth Management calculates the costs of the gifts in the song, “The 12 Days of Christmas.” The price index for the gifts went from $12,673 in 1984 to more than $24,000 in 2011. The most expensive gift is the swimming swans.

Open 7 Days a Week - Call for our Extended Holiday Hours445 South B. Street • Downtown San Mateo - www.talbotstoyland.com

3 Complete Stores Under One Roof!

CYCLERYTOYSHOBBIES

Documents

Coastside Holidays and Gift Giving Guide 2014