The Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay sits right on the coast about an hour’s drive south of San Francisco (roughly 23 miles southwest of the San Francisco International Airport). It is nestled in a cove and has spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, with beautiful lighting anytime of year.
They tout everything from bikes and golf to long walks, games and spa treatments. I had been to this Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay several times in the past for industry events but never to stay. By industry events, I am referring to technology and business functions or networking parties which have been held at the property over the years since I moved to the Bay Area. That said, I had never stayed overnight, hung out in the bar for drinks and appetizers or dined in their top notch restaurant Navio, which is on-site.
Recently, I headed south for the full blown experience, which started with a juice outside at one of the cafe tables. There are several things you can take advantage of on the property, such as their indoor swimming pool and hot tub or if the weather is nice (which it was in our case), you can take a bike ride along the path that runs along the coast — the path can be picked up directly from the hotel grounds. They offer their guests complimentary bikes which you can take out for the afternoon to explore.
The wind was breezy but warm and while the sky was somewhat cloudy, we had a serene experience from start to finish.
I just picked up a fisheye lens and was playing around with it for the first time in late December. Below are a few shots I took on our bike ride not far from the hotel.
The shot below looks like it was taken from another planet looking down at Earth, not from a bike trail in Half Moon Bay.
Once you’re done with your bike ride, I’d recommend jumping in one of their comfy beach chairs that face the ocean and watching the sun go down. There are fire pits outside many of the rooms which are perfect for late night drinks or at sunset.
The beautiful grounds make for great day walks as well. Since it is quiet, it’s a perfect place to get away for a little serenity. Want to meditate or read a good novel? What a better place to do so with a view like this!!
The rooms themselves are elegant but not overly decadent. The style is simple but luxurious with spacious bathrooms and rooms loaded with amenities, from a fridge to an espresso machine to bottles of bath suds for their oversized tubs. If the room doesn’t have a firepit, you’ll likely get one with a fabulous view of the ocean like we did. Both have their merits, so it largely depends on what you’re in the mood for and if you’re heading there for a romantic weekend or with kids. We noticed a lot of kids when we visited, so it’s clearly a destination hotel that also caters to families. (they offer babysitting services btw)
They offer feather beds with duvets, 100% goose down and non-allergenic foam pillows and Egyptian cotton sheets. The bathrooms are marble (and modern) and like most 5 star properties, they have plush terry bathrobes, safes, an executive desk, a DVD player and a fully stocked honor bar.
More fisheye experimenting inside the room.
Other things to note about the property. They have a Ritz Carlton Club, with a private lounge, a personal concierge staff and complimentary food and beverage presentations throughout the day. If you’re not there for fun or relaxation, and are trying to get a little work done, they also have an executive business center and a technology butler (yes a butler) for your computer needs.
The spa is worth noting since it is more luxurious than most and takes up 16,000 square feet of the property on one of the floors. Next to the spa, there’s a complete Cybex gym (also more comprehensive than most) and on-site, they also have six lighted tennis courts, a basketball half court and access to two Half Moon Bay Golf Links championship golf courses on the property. There’s even a golf pro shop on site with a dedicated golf concierge for those who are really serious about the game.
Even if you don’t have a room with outside chairs and a fire pit, remember there are a few fire pits outside near the pool with plenty of tables around them, so….if you want a little romance or to toast marshmallows with the kids at night, head to the fire pit after dinner.
It is an incredible getaway if you want to relax and unwind and the views are truly stunning. Be sure to also check out our write-ups on the spa and the Navio Restaurant. Both are exquisite!
Details:
Half Moon Bay Ritz Carlton
One Miramontes Point Road
Half Moon Bay, California 94019 USA
Note: I was hosted by the hotel but all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Renee Blodgett is the Founder and Managing Editor of We Blog the World, a global travel, culture and lifestyle publication exploring the world through the lens of meaningful experiences, human connection and cultural depth. Having lived in 10 countries and traveled to 95, Renee has spent much of her life immersed in the people, traditions, landscapes and ideas that shape how we experience the world.
Since launching We Blog the World in 2007, she has written and produced extensive editorial coverage spanning boutique and luxury travel, culinary experiences, arts and culture, wellness, adventure, technology, spiritual traditions and transformative travel. Her work is rooted in the belief that travel is about more than where we go—it is also about what a place, culture or encounter awakens within us.
Renee brings more than three decades of experience across journalism, photography, media, brand strategy, technology, wellness and global storytelling. She has worked with companies and organizations around the world on brand positioning, communications, product launches, media strategy, speaker positioning and storytelling. Through Blue Soul Media, she works with authors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and purpose-driven brands to clarify their message and expand their impact, which includes speaker coaching/training for high-profile stages such as TED and bringing authors’ work to market while retaining authors rights.
She is also the co-founder of Blue Soul Earth, an educational platform exploring consciousness, ancient wisdom, spirituality, healing and the intersection between science and the nature of reality. Renee is the producer and host of the award-winning Blue Soul CHATS, a conversational series bringing together leading voices in science, technology, consciousness, wellness and spirituality.
Her growing body of work also includes Blue Soul Living, which extends her interest in consciousness and well-being into the spaces we inhabit, exploring how intentional design, energy and environment can support greater harmony and connection.
Renee is the award-winning co-author of the bestselling Magdalene’s Journey and founder of the Magdalene Collection, inspired by women’s voices, stories and wisdom across cultures and generations.
A longtime photographer and storyteller, Renee has documented people, places and cultures around the world and produced photographic collections focused on destinations including the Galápagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome and Ecuador. She also co-founded Traveling Geeks, an international initiative that brought entrepreneurs, journalists, creators and technology leaders together with their counterparts in other countries to exchange ideas and explore innovation across cultures.
Renee’s work has been recognized by Forbes, the United Nations and others for her influence in media and social storytelling. Across her work in travel, media, consciousness and culture, a common thread remains: curiosity about the world, the stories that connect us and the ways meaningful experiences can change how we see ourselves and one another.
