About Us - Your Local Sustainable Beekeeping Partner in San Francisco Bay Area

Hi, I'm Peter.

I started Honey by the Bay because I wanted to do something real with my hands, close to nature. Growing up, my grandparents took us on long hikes and my grandma cooked from her garden. That connection stuck with me. Beekeeping felt like a natural extension of it.

A decade with the bees

I've been keeping bees in backyards around Belmont and San Mateo for over ten years now. No chemicals, no treatments, no shipping the hives off to almond orchards. Just bees doing what bees do, and me trying to keep them healthy and happy.

How we harvest

Every jar of honey is extracted frame by frame, by hand. It takes longer that way, but it's the only way I know how to do it and feel good about it. The flavor varies with the seasons and whatever the bees have been foraging; that's part of what makes it interesting.

Why the shop exists

Selling honey and bee products is what keeps the apiary going. But it goes a bit further than that. We also donate to local causes and mentor new beekeepers in the area. If you're curious about beekeeping yourself, feel free to reach out.

If you have never seen a beehive up close, come along with me. I'll take you on a journey in a backyard apiary.

Everything we sell comes from our hives or is made with our hands. Here's what you'll find in the shop:

Honey

Raw, unfiltered local honey and comb honey, harvested frame by frame from our chemical-free hives in Belmont and San Mateo.

Beeswax Products

Hand salve, lip balm, and wood care pastes made with pure beeswax straight from our hives. Simple ingredients, no synthetics.

Beekeeping & Woodenware

Hive components and handcrafted woodenware for beekeepers, built with the same care we put into our own apiary.

Gifts & Bundles

Curated sets for anyone who deserves something a little out of the ordinary.

Experience the Magic

Curious about the allure of our beeswax hand cream? Discover why it's a must-try in your skincare journey.

A Sweet Farewell

And if you've never savored comb honey, seize the opportunity before it's gone. Inventory runs out fast, but the taste lingers – it's a treat not to be missed.