A Perfect Escape to Half Moon Bay
A windswept coastline, sunset bagpipes and one of my favorite California resorts—just a short drive from San Francisco.
One of the things I love most about living in Northern California is how quickly the landscape can change. Drive toward the coast and suddenly the pace slows, the air turns salty and the Pacific seems to stretch forever.
Half Moon Bay has always been one of my favorite nearby escapes, particularly when I want to feel like I’ve gone somewhere without actually going very far.
And for me, the best way to experience it is from the bluff at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.
The Ritz, Half Moon Bay
Perched dramatically above the Pacific, the Ritz feels a little like California crossed with the Scottish coast—especially when the fog rolls in.
But the moment I always remember is sunset.
There is something wonderfully unexpected about standing beside the fire pits, looking out over the ocean and hearing the sound of a bagpiper drifting across the bluff. It transforms an ordinary California weekend into something that feels much farther from home.
The hotel also manages to work equally well for a romantic weekend or a family escape, which is one of the reasons we have enjoyed it over the years.
Slow Down & Stay Awhile
This isn’t a place where I feel the need to create an ambitious itinerary.
Walk the coastal trail. Spend some time at the spa. Sit outside with a glass of wine. Play golf if that’s your thing. Wander down toward the beach.
And definitely leave time simply to sit by one of the fire pits and watch the light change over the Pacific.
Sometimes the best trips are the ones where very little is required of you.
DON’T MISS: Sunset on the bluff. If the bagpiper is playing during your stay, even better.
Where to Eat
One of the pleasures of staying here is that you really don’t have to leave the property for a good meal.
Navio is the more special-occasion experience, with beautiful ocean views and a menu that makes dinner feel like part of the getaway.
For something more relaxed, I like The Conservatory. It’s particularly easy if you’re traveling as a family and still gives you that wonderful coastal setting.
But I would venture beyond the hotel at least once.
Half Moon Bay has the kind of casual seafood places that somehow taste better after a day beside the ocean. Sam’s Chowder House is a longtime favorite for chowder and seafood, while Barbara’s Fishtrap is the sort of unfussy coastal institution that feels completely at home here.
Explore Beyond the Resort
If you have another day, there is much more along this stretch of coast.
At low tide, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve reveals tide pools filled with tiny worlds of marine life.
Farther south, Año Nuevo State Park is known for its elephant seals and is well worth planning ahead for if they’re in season.
I also love the idea of continuing down Highway 1 toward Pescadero and stopping at Harley Farms. Goats, fresh cheese and rolling coastal farmland make it a completely different Northern California experience from what you find only an hour away in Silicon Valley.
This entire stretch of coastline rewards wandering.
What I Love Most
Half Moon Bay reminds me that a memorable escape doesn’t always require an airplane ticket.
Sometimes it is simply about changing the scenery.
Ocean air. A long walk. A beautiful meal. A fire pit at sunset.
And perhaps a bagpiper playing somewhere in the distance.
That’s enough reason for me to keep going back.
If You Go
STAY: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
EAT: Navio · The Conservatory · Sam’s Chowder House · Barbara’s Fishtrap
EXPLORE: Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail · Fitzgerald Marine Reserve · Año Nuevo State Park · Harley Farms in Pescadero
BEST FOR: A romantic weekend · Family getaway · Coastal reset · Easy Bay Area escape
MBELLISHED TIP: Don’t overschedule this trip. Half Moon Bay is at its best when you leave enough time for a long coastal walk and sunset on the bluff.