Pillar Harbor in Half Moon Bay held a Christmas Light competition amongst the boats in the harbor. Dozens of the boats were laden with thousands of brightly lit lights which illuminated the calm waters within the harbor. The lights could be seen from miles as each boat owner tried to outdo the next. Some of the larger boats hosted reindeer, a dancing Santa & Mrs. Clause, a Santa eating Jaws and even a Christmas Crab waving as crowds waked the normally private docks. We grabbed dinner first at one of our favorite restaurants, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, just across the street from the harbor.

As usual we went for a walk along the beach side after dinner and noticed by chance that the Harbor was open to the public. Grabbing the camera we arrived late to the event but this turned out for the best as the movement of the docks during the crowds made photography problematic. Christmas music filled the air as boat owners served hot chocolate, egg nog and cookies at the far end of the last dock. We chatted with the owners and were disappointed to hear that it was a one day only event for the public. Many of the boats will remain lit till New Years but access to the docks was a one day only event. So I will be looking forward to this event next year and hopefully catch is a bit closer to twilight. Yet another Bay Area event that makes this such a great place for photographers.