In honor of Mother’s Day, the family decided to surprise me with a mini roadtrip down the coast from San Francisco to Half Moon Bay.
I’m always up for being honored and I love that little trip. So, we headed south to go tidepooling and drink champagne (and Odwalla) on the beach. We stopped on the way for a nosh at a favorite joint, Cameron’s Inn & Restaurant (tagline: Cameron’s B&B – Bed and Beverage – “We don’t do breakfast.”). It’s known for the bright red double-decker bus parked out front that serves as the “smoking lounge.”
After pub snacks, video games, and exploring the grounds, which included checking out the previously unnoticed (by me) camp ground/RV park in the back, we headed to Venice Beach.
Sipping Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvee with my husband Dan and watching my children romp on the sandy beach, I felt all warm and fuzzy. Even the decaying sea lion nearby could not dampen the mood. I didn’t want the day to end.
Dan must have picked up the vibe and decided to call Cameron’s “just to see” if they had an affordable room that would accommodate the four of us. In fact, they did! For just over $100 we booked Room 3 called “Ships at Sea” for the night. It had two double beds and a private bath. The other two rooms, “The Cottage” and “The Fox and Hound” shared a bath and cost in the $80 range for a Sunday night in late May. All rooms were above the pub, up a narrow staircase. I felt like I had been transported to Worcestershire!
The room was cute and a bit cluttered with the cozy charm and feel of an authentic English inn. Mismatched bedspreads and worn towels — no frills — but everything you need for a comfy stay.
A rockin’ band played downstairs that night, the kids enjoyed roaming around the inn, playing in the Brit-style phone booth and marveling at the creepy pirate by the sign out front. Dan appreciated the extensive collection of beer, some 20 draught and 60-odd bottles. And I explored the tiny Old Village Shop tucked in the corner of the pub specializing in British foods and gift items. Hard-to-come by British brands and quirky English food items compete for space with books and souvenirs in the tiny shop. Delightful.
Insider Tip: If you drive the coast from SF to HMB, be sure to stop at the Moss Beach Distillery. Here you can kick back on the patio beneath wool blankets at sunset overlooking waves crashing against jagged rocks. But beware the “Blue Lady” who has haunted the Distillery for decades, searching the beach for her lost lover.
If You Go:
Cameron’s Restaurant, Pub, Inn, RV Park & Campground
1410 Cabrillo Hwy
Half Moon Bay, California
(650) 726-5705
Post contributed by Lisa Dion of Friscomama.com
Photos courtesy of Cameron’s Inn & Restaurant
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