We rented a violin for 2nd-4th grade lessons and they were exceptional. Best rates and warm customer service. Very professional, thorough and caring. They have moved but still the same great team, we will use them again.
Gary and Peter were phenomenal in solving my problem of how to get my Yamaha P45 and my computer to both play through the same headphones. Their solution was elegant, simple and economical. They are rock stars!
Friendly and they know their stuff.
tiny tiny shop. sad to see they downsized and the people renting musical instruments etc. has declined over the years.
6. Redbox
Address: 196 San Mateo Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 , Half Moon Bay , California , United States
They have a great selection of musical instruments & you can learn from music teachers here.
Very nice people , lots of guitars , worth a trip for an interesting music store.
John helped me find a nice case for a 12 string. Nailed it on the first attempt. Gave me some advice about caring for a 12 string. He also found a 12 string capo for me. This is a good location with plenty of parking
My wife told me that this store is much more customer friendly compared to the one at Grand Ave at downtown South San Francisco even though manor music equipment may not be as complete as the other one, but the people running this store are really nice. if you need to go to the store, I suggest to call them ahead because their store hours could be tricky. In addition, if you need to borrow any musical instrument, do not go the last minute. They may be able to get you one if you give enough time. Please support this local business.
Nice little place. When we visited, the person working didn’t seem very knowledgeable about the instruments. But the store itself was very cute
I got great personal attention. David answered a lot of my questions both on the phone and in the store for a rental saxaphone for my 9 year old nephew.
Store has new and used equipment for sale or rent. Rental equipment is much more reasonable than Serramonte music center.
Terrible attitude. Not helpful. Never go back again!
8. Half Moon Bay Wine & Cheese
Address: 421 Main St, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 , Half Moon Bay , California , United States
Great selection and the staff was very friendly and gave wonderful
suggestions.
Great wine, servers, selection, live music, insanely good cheese and casual vibe.
The best customer service! So friendly and welcoming with great recommendations. Even cut up my salami for me 🙂
A cozy place to try wines, Somme are a bit pricey, offers cheese boards and more to go with tastings or glasses of wine. Plenty of fairly priced wines to select from, plus cheeses and other goodies. A nice selection of wine and cheese related items, nonalcoholic beverages, even some beer.
Quaint little wine and cheese shop in “downtown” Half Moon Bay. Great place if you want to take (cough) wine on the beach (cough). Amazing selection of cheeses and wine.
They had some great bottle in the shop. I love to stop in for a taste and purchase whenever I get into half moon bay
My family and I was visiting from Canada when we decided to visit this establishment. A blond staff member who seemed to the having a drink with a customer, saw us came in and completely ignored us. So we promptly left. I wasn’t sure if it was because we were black or just horrible customer service. I would leave this one off your visit to Half Moon Bay.
I’ve never experienced such rude and awful service. Which is a shame, because when we came a few years ago we had a nice gentlemen taking great care of us and ended up buying half a case of wine. This time No one helped us despite the fact that we were clearly looking for something. There were three people in line to buy, and me trying to ask a question. All four employees were just standing there talking to each other. When I finally did get someone and ask for my wine, I was told they don’t carry that, you can buy it at Safeway (cakebread is a $45 wine, so not a cheap wine). This was said in the most condensing matter. I didn’t bother pointing out that I saw multiple wines there I’ve bought from my local grocery store. So please skip if you are looking for quality or decent help.
This place has a nice selection of wines, cheeses, and other gifts, but the customer service is awful. I was waiting at the register and ready to order, and the staff didn’t even look my way or make me feel welcomed otherwise. I’m not sure if it is because I am younger than their *usual* crowd, a person of color, or a woman, but staff only came up to the front to help after a group of people who looked clearly the opposite of me lined up to order.
I have gone into this store multiple times to pick up gifts, and the service is always horrible no matter when I have come in. It is disappointing and I will no longer be coming back.
9. Ink Spell Books
Address: 621 Main St, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 , Half Moon Bay , California , United States
Ink spell Is one of my favorite book stores in the whole world! The staff was incredibly friendly and Cindi in particular has a great knowledge of the book industry and what selections are available. A don’t miss in half Moon Bay
I found so many used books that I loved that I didn’t want to put any of them down. I bought 6 books and got 5 free. A great promotion to encourage young readers. I’m starting a small library for my youngest granddaughter. Buy 2 picture books get 2 free. I hope it’s still going on. Check this store out. It’s just a block from the main part of town.
Clean, well-organized, comfortable, nice space. Hoped for more hardback books in highly rated used bookstore. Although there are many paperbacks, the hardback inventory is very limited, consisting of mostly of popular fiction.
Large selection of paperbacks, fiction, & history books at reasonable places. Also good selection of children’s books.
Always helpful and friendly staff. And a great selection of books, puzzles, and things for kids… in addition to the awesome selection of books for all ages
Rude employee, not child friendly, likely the owner or manager told me to tell my kids don’t touch what unless I’m going to buy! If that’s the case put a sign out and tell everyone that!! Singling people out is not ok!
10. Steve Swan Guitars
Address: 1519 Old Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA 94010 , Half Moon Bay , California , United States
Looking for an upright bass? This is the best place to go in the Bay Area. No one has the selection and stock that Steve does. He’s knowledgeable, easy to talk to and just a generally cool guy. The prices are fair, he has new and used instruments that span the price ranges and there simply isn’t this kind of opportunity to A/B instruments and really get a feel for options unless you go down to LA bass works. Just go here and feel confident in your purchase.
Plus roger is a sweet little dog.
Bought my main instrument from Steve many years ago. He took the time to help me find what was right, patiently and carefully, and as a result, it’s still may favorite instrument. He listens, pays attention, and helps his clients zero in on what they want. 6 out of 5….
I put my guitar on consignment with Steve about 2 years ago. He lent it out for long spans of time without my permission and eventually sold it without informing me. Then he said he needed the money for his own bills, so he couldn’t pay me. He’s obviously got problems that should keep anyone from trusting him. I’m taking him to small claims court over it.
11. Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society
Address: 311 Mirada Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 , Half Moon Bay , California , United States
Pete Douglas and BDDS was where I fell in love with jazz, where the magic of musical improvisation and the ever changing sea came together perfectly!
FaNastic
Music
Cash only, no ATM anywhere
the show was great
This is one of the bay area’s most delightful clubs. What could be better to sipping wine and listening to some of the best jazz performers in the world with the sound of the surf in the background?!! Great views, great sounds — right on the beach!
12. Coastside Books, Inc.
Address: 432 Main St, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 , Half Moon Bay , California , United States
This quiet bookstore is well lit with a fairly good selection of books, without too many sidelines so it feels like a bookstore.
Very quaint
There are some books here, but there are also some souvenirs and knick knacks that you can buy (I got a cute mug that had birds on it). They have a small shelf of books on sale and a kid’s section, which is nice. I would recommend stopping by to check it out, since there is a large variety of things that are unique, especially if you are looking for a gift.
Cute shop lots to look at. Something for everyone.
Visited Coastside Bookstore on July 9, 2023 at 1:00pm. The female sales clerk acted as if I was going to steal from them. I did purchase a lovely hummingbird painted towel. After showing the towel to my girlfriend, she wanted two of them. I did not share my negative experience with my girlfriend and children. I asked my two children that appear Asian (I am dark skinned) to go and purchase two of the towels for her. Upon their return, my son shared that the salesclerk acted as if they were going to steal.
One time maybe a false impression, twice…. Half Moon Bay has many lovely stores. I would not recommend going into this one.
Need more costumer service
13. Redbox
Address: 70 Cabrillo Hwy N, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 , Half Moon Bay , California , United States
Good things…
Good coffee somewhat friendly staff. A lovely coffee shop.
The not so good things.
As I walked up to place my order I can see that the batista was busy, but she didn’t even acknowledge my presence. I feel like I was being intrusive.
The power went out(not your fault) and I was in the bathroom and they asked me to go out the backdoor because… I really don’t know why.
It’s the small things that makes people want to come back. :-/
Not the worst experience from a coffee shop, and I would come back to give it another shot if I make my way back around the area again.
Decent coffee.
On 8/28/15 went for a coffee experience. Coffee was good, but the store was dirty, trash cans running over, dirty counter where sugar, etc is kept. Staff unfriendly and over all just a bad experience.
Dissapointing Peets. Basic dry latte, burning hot and bitter. Threw it away in the trash by the door. Will never return.
No cash anymore! Really? No I dont want to download app. Can I put my own milk/ h&h in? No. Am I stuck behind latte guy for five minutes? Yes. Is the coffee too strong? Yes. If I drink a cup of your coffee will I be up for two days? Yes.
Go to 7/11. large coffee for $2.09 you can pour coffee andput you own milk and sugar in yourself. They take cash! ( dimes appreciated).
15. Guitar Center
Address: 53 W Hillsdale Blvd Suite A, San Mateo, CA 94403 , Half Moon Bay , California , United States
Me gusta mucho mas q el de san francisco y luego en san francisco muy sucio no limpian
Unprofessional staff. Bose should train them on their products , they have no ideas how the loudspeaker package works . Wasted a lot of time there. It took me two months to get sth I ordered with them and it was the wrong item.
horrible customer service skills from management !
there focus is what they can sell you !
Bought a brand new guitar online at guitarcenter.com and received beat up box with holes in it containing a scuffed up used store model from this store, yay!
16. Vinoteca
Address: 330 Main St, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 , Half Moon Bay , California , United States
The owners are very nice and know the wines and the area. The wines were very nice for tasting and the games were good to buy more and hang out with friends.
Both times I have come here have been wonderful. Super hospitable and knowledgeable staff. Very welcoming and comfortable very reasonable prices and great selection!
Fun spot to try a variety of wines. Owners were friendly and knowledgeable.
3stars means good
They offered a nice wine selection. Reasonably priced. The interior was a bit drab and sterile. It could definitely use a bit of decoration and personality.
So cozy. Great service. Wine and cheese were wonderful.
Wine flights are terrible. Hostes so weird. Wasting time.
Got kicked out because we brought our kid. Wasn’t a problem the first time we were there. Said it was because of their license. Pretty sure since they serve only wine they just have a beer and wine licence like any other restaurants around there and kids are probably fine. Won’t spend money there ever again.
17. Music Hut
Address: 329 Main St, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 , Half Moon Bay , California , United States
