COVID-19 GUIDELINES

We are following the guidelines of the San Mateo County Health Department, State of California, and other health authorities, to help keep our guests and our team as safe as possible. Face coverings are no longer required inside for those who are vaccinated.  We ask that you plan to stay no longer than 1.5 hours at your table, as we are still at reduced capacity in the restaurant, so that other guests may enjoy a dining experience.

NEW RESTAURANT CHANGES

Our restaurant has undergone many changes, including the installation of protective barriers, reduced number of tables, inside windows that open for air flow, a waiting area in our outdoor parking lot, and Adirondack chairs on the lower lawn for guests to enjoy takeout.  When you arrive, please check in at the host stand. If your entire party is present, we’ll seat you when your table is available. 

SERVICE CHANGES

New guidelines are in place to maintain safety.  We are still minimizing the use of shared items, whenever possible.  It’s our goal to still provide you with excellent service, while minimizing contact for health and safety.

GIFT SHOP IS NOW TAKEOUT SHOP

Due to COVID-19, our Gift Shop has been temporarily closed to the public and converted to a Takeout Shop. You can place your order online, at the new takeout window, or call ahead. Please wait in your car until your order is ready and we will text or call you.

SAFE AND SANITARY

We are taking all precautions to keep our staff healthy, including daily symptom checks.  Our staff is washing their hands frequently, wearing face coverings and using gloves when appropriate.

Please follow the guidelines of our staff and all signage to help keep you and our team as safe as possible. We are excited to have you back – thanks for supporting us during this time!

Sam's Gift Cards

Sam's Gift Cards make great gifts

Sam's Chowder House Gift Cards make wonderful gifts, and can be given in the denomination of your choice. They can be purchased easily online.

Purchase a Gift Card

Sam's gift cards are reusable! Use the link below to check a gift card balance and to add additional funds to a gift card. A gift that truly keeps giving.

Check Gift Card Balance / Add Value

Half Moon Bay Area Information

Delightful sea breezes, pumpkin and Christmas tree farms, acres of flowers and a flourishing fishing community are all home to Half Moon Bay. Located 25 miles south of San Francisco, just 10 miles west of San Mateo, and 45 miles North of Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay is a charming coastal town with lots to see and do.

Considering a private dining event, oceanfront wedding venue, reception or other special event? Contact Sam's for information about our many ocean view banquet facilities and event spaces.

VisitHalfMoonBay.org

Get more ideas on what to do on the Half Moon Bay Travel Guide.

Coastside Live directory of businesses & activities on the coast

Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce

Half Moon Bay Review - local weekly newspaper

Pacific Coast Weddings - Get married on the beach, on a mountain, or at Sam's!

Weddings by the Sea for that special coastside wedding.

Whale Watching trips from Pillar Point Harbor 650-726-292

Pillar Point Harbor View

LODGING

Want to make a night of it? There are some wonderful nearby choices for an overnight stay:

Beach House Hotel (Right next door to Sam's!)
4100 N. Cabrillo Highway
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 712-0220
www.beach-house.com

Half Moon Bay Inn (European-style charm)
401 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA  94019
(650) 726-1177
www.halfmoonbayinn.com

Half Moon Bay Lodge & Conference
2400 S. Cabrillo Hwy.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 726-9000
www.halfmoonbaylodge.com

Mill Rose Inn (B&B)
615 Mill Street
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 726-8750
www.millroseinn.com

Nantucket Whale Inn (B&B)
779 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-1616
www.nantucketwhaleinn.com

Oceano Hotel & Spa
280 Capistrano Road
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 726-5400
www.oceanohalfmoonbay.com

Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
1 Miramontes Point Road
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 712-7000
www.ritzcarlton.com

Seal Cove Inn
221 Cypress Avenue
Moss Beach, CA 94038
(650) 728-7325
www.sealcoveinn.com

Zaballa House (B&B)
324 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 726-9123

We love our Oceans

Sam’s is a proud member of the Surfrider Foundation, and certified in the Ocean-friendly restaurants program. Surfrider is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the world’s oceans and beaches. We are committed to the environment, and the ecological systems from where our food is sourced and grown – and we’re working hard to meet today’s needs without compromising future generations.

Eco-friendly straws – no plastic!

Made entirely from plants, not petroleum, our straws are derived from plant sources like corn. Certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), our straws meet the international standards for compostability. We also only serve straws upon request.

It’s estimated that there are now over 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean, with the number growing daily. This plastic stays in the environment well past our future generations lifetimes, proving to be a danger to the environment and wildlife.

Biodegradable Packaging

Our to-go packaging is made from 100% biodegradable and compostable boxes created from sugarcane. After the sugarcane stems are crushed and the juice is removed, the dry fibrous material leftover is called bagasse – and that’s used to create the durable, disposable to-go boxes.

Sustainable Seafood Practices

We serve fresh, sustainably sourced seafood following the guidelines of the Monterey Bay Aquarium whenever possible and practical, as well as the finest hormone- and antibiotic-free meats. We work closely with local farmers to source products locally when we can.

Oil Recycled & Donated

We recycle all of our rice-based, trans fat-free vegetable oil from our fryers. Given that we are an East Coast-style seafood house with many fried seafood items on the menu, this represents about 300 gallons a week. The oil is picked up regularly by a local non-profit which provides housing and community services to developmentally disabled people. The oil fuels the vehicles and machinery used on their farm.

Rooftop Solar Electricity

Sam’s rooftop is covered with a solar electric system. It adds about 13.8 megawatt hours of electricity annually for the restaurant, saving lots of energy!

Eco-Friendly Lighting

We have replaced all of our incandescent lights with fluorescent, which are known to outlast up to 13 incandescent bulbs, consuming far less energy.

Surfrider Foundation
plants not plastic - eco-friendly plant-based straws at Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay


rooftop solar panels on Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay

Rooftop Solar Panels at Sam's Chowder House


harbor view towards Sam's Chowder House in Half Moon Bay


sunset with boats

Hours & Location

Location:

Sam’s Chowder House
4210 North Cabrillo Highway
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Sam's is located just south of the Pillar Point Harbor next to the Beach House Hotel, on Highway One, with plenty of parking.

Contact Us:

Sam’s Restaurant: 650.712.0245
Restaurant Fax: 650.712.0371
Email us your "feedback"

Restaurant Hours:

We are OPEN seven days a week, lunch through dinner. Reservations (and walk-ins) are available weekdays, and walk-ins only on weekends. Our outdoor patio is pet-friendly (weather permitting). Not dining in? Be sure to try our new ONLINE TAKEOUT for easy ordering-to-go. We look forward to serving you!

Monday – Thursday 11:30am – 8:30pm
Friday 11:30am - 9:00pm
Saturday 11:00am – 9:00pm
Sunday 11:00am – 8:30pm

Sam's exterior from beachSunset with lanternsSam's Chowder House and harbor view

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