Summer is by far my favorite time of year because I absolutely love warm sunny days. Being outdoors under a bright blue sky is my idea of the perfect day. I feel like every year summer flies by and I wish I had made more of an effort to be adventurous. Half Moon Bay is my hometown and it’s such a gorgeous place with so many picturesque places to enjoy the outdoors. These three spots are favorites to coastal locals but aren’t necessarily well known by visitors. You can totally do all three of these in one day, we did!

Half Moon Bay Barn Burgers

The first stop on our weekend adventure was to one of my favorite Half Moon Bay eateries The Barn. This quaint little barn turned burger joint opened fairly recently and has quickly become very popular with both locals and tourists alike. The outdoor patio's decor is just too cute and the weather is perfect on a sunny day. Dogs are welcome on the patio so feel free to bring Fido along. With locally sourced ingredients the food is gourmet quality and oh so delicious. We began our perfect summer day with a Mexican chocolate milkshake and hit the road back down south on Highway 1.

Ano Nuevo State Park

Año Nuevo State Park right off Highway 1 is one of my favorite beaches because it’s rarely frequented by tourists. This very private beach is known for beautiful bluff views and a large population of elephant seals. While we didn't find any seals that day (breeding season is in the winter), we enjoyed the very quiet and peaceful scene away from all the beach crowds.

U-Pick Strawberries at Swanton Berry Farm

Swanton Berry Farm is one of the few places where you can pick your own berries to take home. The exact address for your GPS is 25 Swanton Rd. Davenport, Ca. My family used to go berry picking when I was a kid and this was my first time back at it. We came home with a basket full of strawberries, many of which we ate on the drive home. During some seasons they also have olallieberries available for u-pick. Be sure to check the website to make sure they’re open for the season before you drive out there!