A bit of England in Half Moon Bay

“People just kind of make it a destination spot,” Palmer said. “They can just come here and eat, drink and be happy.”

At age 13, long before establishing his well-known pub, which has been visited by many famous celebrities such as actor Daniel Radcliffe, who sang Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady” there on one of their karaoke nights in 2015, Palmer discovered he enjoyed the restaurant business while working at a German restaurant in Half Moon Bay.

“I just kind of fell in love with it,” Palmer said. “I liked my customers, loved the area, and that just became my passion.”

At age 19, he operated an ice cream parlor in Half Moon Bay. Years later, in 1993, he opened the pub. He noticed that, around this time, there were many bars and cocktail lounges within the area, but no pubs, which is what he was familiar with, so he decided to capitalize on the idea. Palmer also co-owns an RV park and hotel, which are located next to the pub, for tourists looking to have a one-stop shop to eat, sleep, and drink. 

The English-style theme he drew for the pub was inspired by his father’s background as native from New Castle, England. To fit this theme, Palmer made the pub unique through its vast selection of beer, English food and its decorated atmosphere. 

For example, in 1997, Palmer parked an authentic double decker bus from England right outside the pub, which used to act as an outside lounge for customers to hang out in, but has since been turned into a boutique shop, which is run by Palmer’s girlfriend Agnes Sadeghi.

“It’s basically, a little of anything you may want at a discount price, all clean and nice,” Sadeghi said.

At the bar, Palmer wanted to continue with the English theme by having a wide variety of beers from which to choose.

“England’s known for their beers,” Palmer said.

With 27 beers available on tap, and 60 more available in bottles, customers could order a beer every half hour and still have plenty more new ones to try. Apart from the more well-known beers such as Guinness and Newcastle Brown Ale, Palmer said he likes to keep a healthy selection of beers from the microbreweries around the Bay Area, such as Half Moon Bay’s Mavericks Amber Ale.

Because they have such a wide range of beers, Palmer also said they created what he calls an “Alphabet Card.” The “Alphabet Card” is a punch card, where customers get the letter punched out that matches the first letter of the beer they ordered. For example, if a customer orders a Corona, they will get the letter C punched out. 

After one entirely punched out card, the customer will win a free T-shirt. After 10 cards, they will get a free night stay in the hotel. After 20 cards, Palmer will fly them out to Disneyland. 

“I’ve probably flown out about six people to Disneyland now for 20 cards,” Palmer said.

Besides the beer, Palmer keeps it English with the food too, serving shepherd’s pie, English pastie, plus bangers and mash. When he flies over to England, he added he is always looking for new ideas to add to his pub to keep it fresh and rolling.

 “I don’t care where I’m at, whatever bar or restaurant I go in, I try to get one idea,” Palmer said. “Sounds silly, but when it’s your life, that’s what you do.”

Overall, Palmer said his favorite thing about owning the pub has been the relationships he has built with his customers, turning them from patrons into friends, which all started after venturing into his pub.

“I’ve made thousands of friends over the years,” Palmer said. “Always seeing them have a great time here, whether it’s the baby showers, all the way to the end-of-life celebrations.”

Cameron’s Pub is at 1410 S. Cabrillo Highway in Half Moon Bay. The pub is open seven days a week from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., except on Mondays when it opens at 3 p.m. Go to cameronspub.net for more information.