Your Half Moon Bay Private Investigator for Surveillance and Investigations
Bear Witness is the private investigator in Half Moon Bay that families, attorneys, and businesses call when they need facts, not guesses. Half Moon Bay is a city of about 11,000 people in San Mateo County. We are a veteran-owned, California-licensed firm (PI #18755), and surveillance is what we do best.
Whether you suspect a cheating spouse, need evidence for a custody or support case, are dealing with a questionable workers’ compensation claim, or represent a client who needs court-ready surveillance, our Half Moon Bay investigators plan each case around the subject’s real routine and document it with time-stamped video.
Surveillance Specialists Serving Half Moon Bay
As a Half Moon Bay private investigator, surveillance is the core of what we do. We document activity legally, discreetly, and in a way that holds up in court.
Mobile Surveillance
Experienced drivers who anticipate turns and freeway exits, so your subject is documented from stop to stop.
Static Surveillance
Discreet observation of a home, workplace, or business from a lawful public vantage point, documenting who comes and goes.
Two-Investigator Teams
Team surveillance covers multiple exits and keeps a moving subject in sight in heavy Northern California traffic.
Like much of San Mateo County, Half Moon Bay mixes residential neighborhoods with busy commercial corridors. We combine discreet residential positioning with mobile coverage on the roads in between.
How a Half Moon Bay Private Investigator Can Help
Four kinds of clients call us most — and surveillance is at the center of almost every case.
Personal Cases
- Nanny & daycare surveillance — documenting how a caregiver treats your child, within California privacy law.
- Runaways & missing persons — locating family members and loved ones who have left or lost touch.
- Infidelity & cheating spouse — a clear, factual answer for Half Moon Bay clients who suspect a partner.
Family Law Cases
- Divorce investigations — evidence for San Mateo County family court, documented properly.
- Child visitation — a factual record of exchanges and visits.
- Child support — documenting employment and income the other parent may not be reporting.
- Lifestyle investigations — what someone’s day-to-day life really looks like.
- Child custody — documenting what happens during parenting time in and around Half Moon Bay.
- Cohabitation — evidence of a supported spouse living with a partner, relevant to support.
Business Cases
- Workers’ comp fraud — documenting claimant activity across San Mateo County.
- Business partner surveillance — due diligence and surveillance on partners and key associates.
- Injury claims — verifying the extent of claimed injuries through lawful observation.
- Insurance defense — claim investigations built for insurers and their attorneys.
- Employee theft — facts for Half Moon Bay employers before they confront anyone.
Law Firm Cases
- Court testimony — investigator testimony in California courts when needed.
- Records research — public and court records research to support your case.
- Witness statements — locating witnesses and taking their statements.
- Evidence gathering — facts collected to evidentiary standards.
- Surveillance — time-stamped video and investigator reports for your case.
- Evasive subpoena service — service on people who don’t want to be found.
What Sets Our Half Moon Bay Investigators Apart
Not every Half Moon Bay private investigator specializes in surveillance. Here is what makes Bear Witness different.
Absolute Discretion
Confidential from the first call; covert in the field.
Direct Access to Your Investigator
We limit our caseload, so you talk to the investigator working your case — not a call center.
Available 24/7
Nights, weekends, holidays — we work when your subject is active.
Surveillance Specialists
Surveillance has been our focus since 1996. It is not a side service — it is what we do best.
Licensed & Veteran-Owned
California PI License #18755, veteran-owned and operated, held to the standards set by BSIS.
Court-Ready Evidence
Evidence gathered lawfully and documented the way California judges and attorneys expect.
What Our Clients Say
Real reviews from Bear Witness clients across California.
“Thank you for all your help. You guys were really great! I will definitely refer your private detective agency to all my friends & colleagues in need.”
“Of all the private investigators I have used, the Bear Witness Detective Agency has proven to be the only investigation company I can completely rely on and trust. When I need smart surveillance investigators who get the job done right, they are always at the very top of my call list.”
“I first consulted with a few other investigation companies in the area, yet I remained skeptical about their service. But, after I talked over my case with James, I was pleased with the high levels of confidence and experience he conveyed. In the end, I am glad I chose Bear Witness to perform my surveillance investigation. Thanks for the video your company obtained. It was eye-opening.”
Names and/or locations altered for client privacy. Read more client reviews →
Where Half Moon Bay Cases Are Heard
Half Moon Bay sits roughly 13 miles from Redwood City, the San Mateo County seat, where the main Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo facilities are located.
If your Half Moon Bay matter ends up in the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, documentation quality decides whether the evidence helps. We keep chain-of-custody records and write reports in plain chronological order.
About 73% of Half Moon Bay households own their homes. Stable, quiet neighborhoods mean residents notice unfamiliar cars, so residential surveillance here takes careful positioning.
Also Serving Near Half Moon Bay
If your subject lives in Half Moon Bay but works or travels elsewhere, that’s routine. Nearby areas include:
Straight-line distances from Half Moon Bay.
How Hiring a Private Investigator in Half Moon Bay Works
- 1
Call Us
A short, private conversation about your situation, with no obligation.
- 2
Strategy
We decide when and where surveillance in and around Half Moon Bay is most likely to answer your question.
- 3
Fieldwork
One investigator handles your case from start to finish.
- 4
Results
Documented findings in plain language — including a clear “nothing found” when that is the truth.
Half Moon Bay Private Investigator FAQs
Do you also cover Hillsborough and Belmont?
Yes. Hillsborough is about 8 miles from Half Moon Bay and Belmont about 9 miles, and both are part of our regular coverage in Northern California.
How far is Half Moon Bay from the San Mateo County courthouse?
Half Moon Bay is roughly 13 miles (straight-line) from Redwood City, the San Mateo County seat, where the main Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo facilities are. Some matters are heard at branch courthouses; your attorney can confirm the location.
What does a private investigator in Half Moon Bay do?
We document facts for personal, family law, business, and legal cases — most often through surveillance, along with background research, people location, witness statements, and process serving.
Do you specialize in surveillance?
Yes. Surveillance has been Bear Witness’s specialty since 1996, and it is part of nearly every case we handle in Half Moon Bay and across California.
Do you handle workers’ compensation and insurance claims?
Yes. We conduct claimant surveillance and claim investigations for employers, insurers, and defense counsel.
Can you catch a cheating spouse in Half Moon Bay?
We can document what your spouse actually does and who they meet, with time-stamped video and a written report, and give you a clear answer either way.
How do I verify your license?
Look up PI License #18755 on the California Department of Consumer Affairs license search.
How quickly can a Half Moon Bay case start?
Most cases begin within a day or two of your first call, once we agree on a plan.
Can you document cohabitation for a spousal support case?
Yes. Under California Family Code section 4323, a supported spouse living with a partner can create a presumption of decreased need for support. We document cohabitation for you and your attorney.
Ready to talk to a private investigator in Half Moon Bay? Call 1(877)PROOF-24/7 for a free, confidential consultation.