Our offices are located in the historic Alves House (originally known as the Ben Cunha House), built in 1908. This prominent Half Moon Bay landmark is an elegant house that was built in very late Eastlake style architecture - note the scalloped shingles and the polygonal tower. Cunha, a contractor, built this house for his home. In 1923 the Alves family purchased the property. At one time they ran a dairy farm that was located in back of the house.

The Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Bureau is the only volunteer membership organization dedicated to the promotion of business on the Coastside. The Chamber now serves over 620 members and has established itself as a leader in the community since 1963. Through a well planned and balanced Program of Work, the Chamber is dedicated to enhancing a healthy economic climate, lobbying legislation affecting the business community, and providing community access to information.

We are the primary source of tourist/destination marketing information for the Coastside, from Montara (9 miles to the north) to Pescadero(15 miles to the south).

The Chamber is also dedicated to maintaining and increasing our membership by providing more benefits and more comprehensive services for the business community. Quality of life and economic sustainability have become increasingly more important to the entire Coastside, and we hope to facilitate the entire community into working toward a single vision through our Economic Sustainability Committee.

The Coastside has an abundance of businesses serving both residents and visitors.

Because of our rural appeal and close proximity to San Francisco and San Jose, many new businesses have settled here. We have made it our highest priority to raise Coastsiders' awareness as to the variety and location of businesses. Shopping locally is an integral part of supporting the Coastside community.

CHAMBER FACTS

Who We Are

• The Chamber works to support business on the Coastside.
• The Chamber is a non-profit corporation.
• Over 620 businesses and individuals are members.
• Member businesses are all sizes, from small, home-based businesses to mid-size firms to large corporations.
• Members are drawn from every industry.
• Members represent every commercial neighborhood - from Princeton to Montara, from south of Pescadero to downtown Half Moon Bay - and cities throughout the Peninsula.
• The Chamber team has 5 staff members and 9 board members.
• The Chamber has 6 active ongoing committees and numerous task forces.
• The Chamber has more than 30 active volunteers.

Member Firms by Size

• 85%-   0-5 employees
• 11%-   6-25 employees
• 3%-   26-100 employees
• 1%-   101-500 employees

Year Founded

Our organization was incorporated in October 1963 as the Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce. Since then we've added "Coastside" and "Visitors' Bureau" to our name.

President/CEO

Charise Hale McHugh

Chairman of the Board

Sara Watson, Bay View Bank

DID YOU KNOW YOUR CHAMBER…

…Maintains an office with a full time staff devoted to the civic and commercial development of our area.

…Maintains a general information center answering hundreds of questions about the Coastside each month in person, by mail and by telephone.

…Conducts small business educational and information seminars and workshops.

…Provides on-going business referrals for members.

…Promotes chamber member businesses through listing in publications, internet, and brochures.

…Provides maps, brochures, demographics and other pertinent information to businesses, residents and visitors.

…Stands ready to pursue any matter that can make our area a better place to live and make a living.

AFFILIATIONS

The Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Bureau is a member of…

…California Chamber of Commerce
www.calchamber.com
…Western Association Chamber Executives (WACE)
wace.chamberinfo.org
…San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce Executives
…San Mateo County Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.sanmateocountycvb.com
…San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
www.sfchamber.com
…San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.sanjose.org

We have also earned the distinguished honor of Accreditation by the United States Chamber of Commerce.

WHAT DOES OUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DO?

Many people ask, "What does a Chamber of Commerce Do?" We'll try to answer that question, although we do such a wide variety of things that it's almost unanswerable!

Visitor Services:

• Answer thousands of calls per year about the Coastside area, beaches, retail shops, restaurants, hotels, activities, and special events
• Mail out 10-15 visitor packages PER DAY!
• Conduct interviews for newspapers, book authors, and magazines; supply information, photos, and sometimes personal tours
• Put together brochures for restaurants, lodging, shopping, conferences, etc.
• Numerous referral calls

Relocation Services:

• The Chamber answers thousands of questions per year on life on the Coastside - from the weather to the availability of youth sports
• We send about 5 relocation packages per week with complete business directory, demographics, history, map, Half Moon Bay Review, community, lodging, activities, restaurants, real estate guides, and hiking information.
• We are also a source of information for school papers on history or current events and a media source as well.
• We answer numerous referral calls on a daily basis from new and old residents and businesses as well as from tourists.

Businesses:

• Of course, our primary role is to assist businesses on the Coastside. Our mission statement reads: "The Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary partnership of business and professional people working together to build a healthy economy and to improve the quality of life on the Coastside. Chamber members are businesses, organizations, and individuals concerned with the socio-economic climate of the community."
• We assist new businesses with start-up information.
• We are often the "go between" trying to solve a problem between a Chamber member and a government branch.
• We are the first information stop for a potential new business.
• We strive constantly to increase business for all our members through our newsletter, mixers, Business Directory, Coastside Discount Guide, and events.
• Monthly mixers connected to a theme make each one a mini-event.

Events:

• Installation
• Economic Summit
• Artichoke Classic Golf Tournament
• Tour des Fleurs
• Pumpkin Weigh-Off
• Pumpkin Festival
• Scholarships to 4 graduating seniors of Half Moon Bay High School and Pescadero High School
• Banners, signs, press releases, correspondence relating to Chamber functions
• Economic Sustainability Committee
• Education Committee
• The Chamber is pursuing an active role in working with the City of Half Moon Bay in achieving their "Goals and Objectives"
• Gateway and Highway enhancement
• Directional signage on Main Street
• Display racks with direct line phones in 3 locations
• Updating and revising the City Sign Ordinance
• Downtown Parking Committee
• Frequently used as marketing consultants for businesses
• Monthly newsletters
• Non-profit organization support:
  - Seton Coastside events
  - Boys & Girls Club events
  - Half Moon Bay Chamarita
  - 4th of July Parade and Fireworks
  - Dream Machines
  - Kings Mountain Art Fair
  - Pescadero Art & Fun Festival
• Bi-annual Business Directory
• Bi-annual Coastside Map
• Tri-Annual Coastsiders' Discount Guide

And while accomplishing all of the above, we answer questions like "Can you tell me the economic impact the Devil's Slide collapse had on the Coastside Community?" or on the lighter side, "I have cows in my front yard. Can you get them out?" and frequently, "Is it foggy or sunny on the Coast today, and what time is low tide?"

We welcome your comments and suggestions.
We are, after all, here to serve you.