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Pillar Point Harbor

The boat harbor at the north end of the bay, created by breakwaters built from 1959 to 1982, home to commercial fishing boats and pleasure craft.

Pillar Point Harbor is managed by the San Mateo County Harbor District and sits immediately north of Half Moon Bay. It is used by both small commercial fishing boats and pleasure craft, and fishermen sell crab and fish directly off their boats.

The Army Corps of Engineers built the outer breakwater between 1959 and 1961. Southwesterly storm waves still surged through, so the western arm was extended in 1967 and an inner breakwater was added in 1982. The outer breakwater also diverts storm waves to nearby shores and has increased bluff erosion in places.

The harbor’s rescue station and harbormaster’s office have operated since 1970. Mavericks breaks about half a mile outside it.

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Questions people ask

What is Pillar Point Harbor?

A boat harbor created by breakwaters on the north end of Half Moon Bay, used by commercial fishing boats and recreational boats.

Can you buy fresh fish at Pillar Point Harbor?

Yes. Fishermen sell crab and fish straight off their boats at the harbor.

Related terms

  • Pillar PointThe rocky headland at the north end of Half Moon Bay that shelters the harbor and sits above the Mavericks surf break.
  • Dungeness crabThe sweet-fleshed crab that Pillar Point Harbor’s fishermen sell straight off their boats; California’s official state crustacean since 2024.
  • Dungeness crab seasonThe winter commercial and recreational crab season, which runs roughly from late fall into summer but is often delayed by toxic algae or whale-safety concerns.
  • Rydal HallA coal ship wrecked near Pillar Point in October 1876; its anchor, recovered in 1971, is on display outside a restaurant by the harbor.
  • MavericksThe giant winter wave that breaks about half a mile outside Pillar Point Harbor, shaped by an unusual underwater rock ramp.

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