🎉 SPRING FORWARD XII (March 8, 2026) in Half Moon Bay🌷!
Details
🌷 Join Us for Spring Forward XII - Our 12th Year of Magic!! 🌷
One of our favorite New Beginnings traditions is back! Come gather with friends — old and new — for an afternoon of laughter, sharing great food, music, and easy beachside fun as we welcome Spring together. Whether the sun shines or the fog rolls in, the real magic is simply being together. 😎
-------------------------
📅 When: Daylight Savings Time Sunday, March 8
🕒 Time: Arrive anytime, Sunset is at 7:10 PM (an hour later than the day before!) The event starts at 2:00 PM. We'll be there very early to set up and save space for everyone who wants to come. Join us!
📍 Where: Half Moon Bay Beach (Francis Beach), off Hwy 1 (Cabrillo Hwy) near 92.**
Please RSVP here, so we know who is attending, what you are bringing, and so we can contact you if the weather requires a change in plans.
-------------------------
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
🌞 Soak up the extended evening light and watch the 7:10 PM sunset!
🏃♀️ Brave the Polar Bear Run into the surf (daring adventurers, unite!).
🍴 Enjoy a potluck feast of food and drinks brought by YOU and your New Beginnings friends. Sign-up for Your Potluck Contribution HERE! If the sheet opens but you can’t type, tap Open in Google Sheets or open in your browser.
🎉 Play games in the picnic area and on the beach—cornhole, frisbees, kites, and more!
🌊 Take in the natural beauty and sounds of the California coast! 🌅
🔥 Warm up around a cozy beach fire/BBQ. Roast dogs or make s'mores!
🌱 Celebrate spring and new life in a fun, festive community atmosphere.
-------------------------
🎉 AFTER-PARTY PLANS 🍀🍀🍀
Hope you can join us for an After-the-Beach-Party dinner at Cameron's Pub & Restaurant nearby (1410 Cabrillo Hwy S, Half Moon Bay - only 1.3 miles away). Please remember to RSVP separately for the dinner at the link above and save room for their great Irish pub fare!
-------------------------
WHAT TO BRING TO THE BEACH:
✅ Food & Drinks to Share: Sign-up for Your Potluck Contribution HERE! (https://bit.ly/Spring-Forward-2026-Potluck-Signups) If the sheet opens but you can’t type, tap Open in Google Sheets or open in your browser. Post in the Comments if you wonder if we could use what you have to offer.
✅ Picnic Supplies: Plates, forks, spoons, knives, serving utensils, paper towels, cups, napkins—anything to make our meal great!
✅ Outdoor Games: Cornhole, frisbees, kites, or join us as we sing along to our New Beginnings play list.
✅ Seating: Beach chairs or picnic blankets to sit on the ground.
✅ Warm Clothes: The weather can change fast—come prepared! Hats and hand-warmers may be the order of the day.
✅ Swimsuit & Towels: If you’re bold enough for the icy surf!
✅ Firewood: For a small fire in the barbecue pit. BBQ briquettes.
✅ Sunscreen & Essentials: Whatever keeps you comfortable.
✅ Parking Money: $10 per car (carpool or walk in via Kelly Ave).
💡 Have something you think we might need? Add it to the Potluck list. Bring it along and let us know in the comments below!
------------------------
LOCATION DETAILS:
See the Half Moon Bay State Beach website for lots of details on our location. Our festivities take place at Francis Beach, at the end of Kelly Avenue. We'll be near the beach, near the restroom building, as in the past. Watch for our green sparkly streamers! On Highway 1, there are several entrances to HALF MOON BAY STATE BEACH. Be sure you take KELLY AVENUE to reach our location!
PARKING:
Arrive early. The lot fills quickly. $10 beach lot parking fee for the day. If the lot is full, park on Kelly Avenue and walk in.
CARPOOLING:
If you're not already on the coast, the Ralston/92 Park-and-Ride lot is a great pick-up spot for carpooling. Google Map link. Carpooling also means you'll share the $10 beach lot parking fee (and gas) for the day. Use the Comments area of this page to offer, request or coordinate a carpool! Please say where you are located and whether you are seeking or offering a ride (in a single comment to avoid annoying everyone).
🌅 Let’s make SPRING FORWARD XII unforgettable — see you there!
11th Annual Spring Forward Event (2025) photos
-------------------------
🔷 See our Group Guidelines HERE
🔴 Help Keep the Fun Going in 2026
We’re a volunteer-led group, and member contributions help cover annual Meetup fees and occasional venue rentals. See our 2026 contributor list. Please make your annual $20 contribution for 2026 by giving cash with your name to the host at an in-person event. (Contributions are not tax-deductible.) As a thank-you, you can opt in to receive one-way group text updates with reminders and last-minute announcements. New here? Enjoy a few events first, then pitch in if it feels like a good fit!
🔴 By participating in any New Beginnings Social Events, you and your guests RELEASE and DISCHARGE the organizers, hosts, and participants from all liability for injuries, illness, damages, death, issues relating to privacy or economic loss arising from activities, advice, or information provided. Participation is voluntary and entirely at your own risk. You are responsible for your safety, belongings, and transportation decisions. Choose carpool drivers carefully and consider leaving valuables at home.