Senior Transportation in Half Moon Bay, CA

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Half Moon Bay, CA: the local picture

3.8%

of households have no vehicle (5.8% in San Mateo County)

8.0 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Burlingame)

2,629

residents 65 or older (23% of Half Moon Bay)

29%

of residents 65+ report a disability (28% in San Mateo County)

About 153 Half Moon Bay households, 3.8%, have no vehicle (5.8% in San Mateo County). The Census figure covers all ages, but older adults who stop driving are a large part of it.

Hospitals with an emergency department near Half Moon Bay: Peninsula Medical Center in Burlingame (8.0 mi); Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City (8.5 mi); San Mateo Medical Center in San Mateo (9.2 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

29% of residents 65 and older report a disability. If walking is hard, look for a caregiver who is comfortable with walkers and car transfers, not only a driver.

Half Moon Bay compared with San Mateo County and California

Census figure	Half Moon Bay	San Mateo County	California
Households with no vehicle	3.8%	5.8%	7.1%
Residents 65+ with a disability	29%	28%	33%
Residents 65 or older	23%	18%	16%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	26%	21%	23%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	6.2%	9.0%	12%
Residents 85 or older	2.4%	2.5%	1.9%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$87,083	$103,766	—

Older residents in towns around Half Moon Bay

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
El Granada, CA	3.5 mi	1,140	1.3%
Moss Beach, CA	4.5 mi	747	9.7%
Montara, CA	6.3 mi	926	0.0%
Hillsborough, CA	7.7 mi	2,262	2.0%
Belmont, CA	8.6 mi	3,813	5.1%
Millbrae, CA	9.3 mi	4,599	7.8%

Hospitals near Half Moon Bay

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Peninsula Medical Center	Burlingame, CA	8.0 mi	5 of 5	(650) 696-5400
Sequoia Hospital	Redwood City, CA	8.5 mi	5 of 5	(650) 369-5811
San Mateo Medical Center	San Mateo, CA	9.2 mi	not rated	(650) 573-2222
Kaiser Foundation Hospital - Redwood City	Redwood City, CA	13 mi	4 of 5	(650) 299-2000

Straight-line miles from the center of Half Moon Bay. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver who drives can help with

Rides to doctor, dental and therapy appointments
Waiting during the appointment and taking notes
Grocery shopping, pharmacy and errands
Trips to church, the senior center and family

Cost

What senior transportation costs in Half Moon Bay

At the California minimum wage of $16.90 an hour (the May 2025 median aide wage, $16.50, is now below it), 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,465 a month in wages, which is 20% of the $7,257 monthly median income of Half Moon Bay households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. California's minimum wage is $16.90 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see How to get paid to care for a family member in California: IHSS, VA, Paid Family Leave.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver who drives

Giving up driving is a common reason older adults start to miss appointments and see fewer people. Before a caregiver drives, agree whose car is used, check that the auto insurance covers it, and agree a mileage rate in writing. The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center and the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can point you to free and low-cost ride programs.

Questions worth asking: May I see your license and proof of auto insurance? Will you drive your car or ours? How do you help someone with a walker in and out of the car? More in our senior transportation guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Senior Transportation in Half Moon Bay: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Half Moon Bay?

Peninsula Medical Center in Burlingame, about 8.0 mi in a straight line from the center of Half Moon Bay (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (650) 696-5400. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Half Moon Bay?

At the California minimum wage of $16.90 an hour (the May 2025 median aide wage, $16.50, is now below it), 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,465 a month in wages, which is 20% of the $7,257 monthly median income of Half Moon Bay households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. California's minimum wage is $16.90 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Does Medicare pay for rides to appointments?

Original Medicare covers emergency ambulance trips, not routine rides. Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation for eligible members, and some Medicare Advantage plans include rides (Medicare.gov).

More near Half Moon Bay

More senior care near Half Moon Bay

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Half Moon Bay

More for Half Moon Bay families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Senior Transportation and Escorted Rides in Half Moon Bay, CA