Pros

  • Gorgeous beachfront location on a cliff overlooking the bay
  • Luxurious 16,000-square-foot spa
  • Manicured golf course flanking the bay
  • Beautiful outdoor spaces including fire pits and gardens
  • Multiple walking/biking paths to explore
  • Luxurious bathrooms with soaking tubs
  • Free Wi-Fi (covered in resort fee)
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Cons

  • Expensive restaurant
  • Weather is often foggy
  • No major attractions within walking distance
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Bottom Line

The romantic 261-room Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay serves the Ritz-Carlton name well, offering stunning rooms, a large spa, and beautiful bay views -- though the fog sometimes makes it difficult to get a good glimpse. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific, the hotel has excellent outdoor facilities including fire pits facing the ocean and a manicured 18-hole golf course. Rooms are spacious, elegant, yet simple, with beautiful marble bathrooms and quaint shutters covering windows. Fire pit rooms come with -- you guessed it -- cozy outdoor fire pits looking out onto the rocky coast. But the on-site restaurants lack "wow" factor and are expensive, and the indoor pool is lackluster.

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Oyster Hotel Review

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

Location

Perched on a breathtaking cliff overlooking the Pacific, with plenty of walking trails

Located on a cliff overlooking the bay, The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is incredibly beautiful. Apart from stunning views, the immediate area offers a variety of outdoor activities, like surfing, swimming, and hiking. Although not much else is within walking distance, plenty of wining and dining options are just a short drive away in downtown Half Moon Bay.

Situated on the Peninsula in the Bay Area, Half Moon Bay is a quaint, rural seaside town about half an hour south of San Francisco. It is the oldest settlement in San Mateo County, and dates back to the early 1800s. Lacking a decent public transit system (like much of California), a rental car will probably come in handy when visiting this area. Nearly all of the popular beaches are directly off of Highway 1 (the Pacific Coast Highway). Although the hotel is lacking in the food and drink scene, a few restaurants and bars can be found nearby -- notably Sam's Chowder House and, of course, local wineries.

  • 40-minute drive to San Francisco International Airport
  • 2-minute walk to the beach
  • 10-minute drive to downtown Half Moon Bay
  • 15-minute drive to Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
  • 25-minute drive to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
  • 45-minute drive to popular corporate areas in Silicon Valley (Facebook, Google)
  • 45-minute drive to downtown San Francisco
See More Location

Oyster Hotel Review

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

Location

Perched on a breathtaking cliff overlooking the Pacific, with plenty of walking trails

Located on a cliff overlooking the bay, The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is incredibly beautiful. Apart from stunning views, the immediate area offers a variety of outdoor activities, like surfing, swimming, and hiking. Although not much else is within walking distance, plenty of wining and dining options are just a short drive away in downtown Half Moon Bay.

Situated on the Peninsula in the Bay Area, Half Moon Bay is a quaint, rural seaside town about half an hour south of San Francisco. It is the oldest settlement in San Mateo County, and dates back to the early 1800s. Lacking a decent public transit system (like much of California), a rental car will probably come in handy when visiting this area. Nearly all of the popular beaches are directly off of Highway 1 (the Pacific Coast Highway). Although the hotel is lacking in the food and drink scene, a few restaurants and bars can be found nearby -- notably Sam's Chowder House and, of course, local wineries.

  • 40-minute drive to San Francisco International Airport
  • 2-minute walk to the beach
  • 10-minute drive to downtown Half Moon Bay
  • 15-minute drive to Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
  • 25-minute drive to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
  • 45-minute drive to popular corporate areas in Silicon Valley (Facebook, Google)
  • 45-minute drive to downtown San Francisco
See More Location

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beach

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Golf Course

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Kids Club

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.