The Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay – Review

Set dramatically above the Pacific Ocean, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay offers a sense of seclusion just minutes from one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Less than an hour from San Francisco, the clifftop resort feels strikingly remote. It’s defined by crashing waves, windswept headlands, and an atmosphere more evocative of the Scottish Highlands than coastal California. Here, refined hospitality, destination dining, championship golf, and a restorative spa anchor an experience that balances proximity to urban life with the luxury of true escape. 

Background and Concept

Opened in 2001, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay was conceived as a modern interpretation of a classic seaside estate—grand in scale, yet intimately connected to its surroundings. The shingle-style architecture sits deliberately low against the landscape, echoing the tones of sand, sky, and sea. Over the years, the resort has refined its identity around a distinctive Highland-inspired aesthetic, expressed through details both subtle and ceremonial.

A recent property refresh, completed in 2024, has sharpened that vision. Interiors now reinforce the relationship between indoors and out while preserving the timeless character that longtime guests love.

Location

The resort occupies a commanding clifftop site just south of San Francisco, yet the transition feels dramatic. On approach, the drive narrows, the air cools, and the land suddenly opens to a vast, wind-swept coastline that feels far removed from the urban rhythm of the Bay Area. Set above miles of untamed shoreline, the hotel enjoys uninterrupted ocean views and direct access to the California Coastal Trail, placing nature at the center of the experience.

Highland Character

The resort’s Highland character reveals itself most convincingly in the details. Each evening at sunset, a lone bagpiper makes his way from the entrance toward the Ocean Lawn, the sound carrying across the cliffs as daylight fades. It’s a beloved ritual. Bell staff dressed in jodhpurs and flat caps reinforce the mood, as does the hotel’s own bespoke tartan, designed exclusively for the property and officially registered with The Scottish Register of Tartans. Its palette draws directly from the surroundings, blending the deep blue of the Pacific, the vivid green of the Half Moon Bay Golf Links, and the rich, earthy tones of nearby redwood forests. Weather, too, plays a defining role here. Fog is embraced as part of the experience, lending an atmospheric quality that many seasoned guests prefer, particularly when paired with one of the resort’s many fire pits. Scattered throughout the grounds, these fires become natural gathering points as evening settles in, offering warmth, conversation, and uninterrupted views of the restless sea below.

Rooms and Suites 

The resort features 261 guestrooms and suites in varying sizes, the majority oriented toward the ocean and coastline. Following the refresh, accommodations feel more tactile, with layered textiles, warm leather accents, and plaid elements that nod to the Scottish heritage. Fire pit rooms remain particularly sought after, offering private outdoor seating that transforms even the chilliest evenings into an event.

My Room 

My room functioned as both retreat and observation post, with a north-facing picture window that overlooked the coastline’s crashing waves and the golf course. A large television anchored the room, and the bedding was plush, making for cozy early nights and slow mornings. A Nespresso machine handled coffee, and complimentary soft drinks in my private bar were refreshed daily, a small and welcomed indulgence. The marble bathroom included a deep soaking tub, Dyptique bath amenities, and straightforward comforts such as robe and slippers.

Culinary Offerings

Dining is a central pillar of the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay experience. Navio, the resort’s fine dining restaurant, pairs elevated coastal cuisine with one of the most compelling ocean-facing dining rooms in Northern California. Chef de Cuisine Francisco Simón brings a refined, globally informed approach shaped by his tenure at Barcelona’s two-Michelin-star Enoteca Paco Pérez. Menus highlight pristine local seafood, carefully sourced meats, and seasonal produce. A three-course prix fixe offers an accessible entry point, while the seven-course tasting menu allows the kitchen to explore technique and flavor more expansively. Thoughtful wine pairings enhance the experience, and desserts arrive as artistic finales.

The Conservatory offers a more relaxed counterpoint, serving California comfort dishes in a bright, glass-lined space overlooking the Pacific. The Ocean Terrace is ideal for casual lunches, raw bar selections, and sunset cocktails, particularly on clear days when the horizon seems endless.

The Spa

The spa draws inspiration from the surrounding redwood forests and coastal terrain, with treatments designed to restore both body and mind. Recently refreshed relaxation areas, wet facilities, and treatment rooms enhance the sense of calm. Guests with booked treatments gain access to the co-ed whirlpool, sauna, steam room, and cold plunge—an ideal circuit for unstructured afternoons. On my visit, the hydrating QMS Collagen Reset Facial stood out for its immediate and visible results.

Activities

Golf here is a major draw, with its two Half Moon Bay Golf Links championship courses located directly alongside the resort. The Arnold Palmer–designed Old Course offers a more traditional parkland experience, while the Arthur Hills–designed Ocean Course embraces a rugged links-style layout with ocean views from every hole. The resort’s amenity fee includes access to putters and wedges for use on the practice green, as well as golf bag storage.

The fee also includes guided coastal walks offered daily, fitness and yoga classes, tennis court access, and guided cycle tours. 

Beyond the property, activities range from horseback riding and whale watching to surfing and cycling, all of which are easily planned via the concierge. Nearly 70 wineries are located within an hour’s drive, making day trips to the Santa Cruz Mountains or Peninsula wine regions easily achievable with concierge planning.

Final Thoughts

The resort’s power lies in atmosphere: the weather, the land, the rituals, and the way time seems to stretch. Close to urban centers yet immersive enough to feel transformative, it remains one of California’s most transportive luxury resorts.

TLE Top Tip

An evening spent on the Ocean Lawn, wrapped in a blanket with a glass in hand, is essential to the experience. Better yet, book a fire pit room and plan to be back on property for stunning sunsets. Make sure to obtain one of the resort’s gourmet s’mores kits for use at the fire pits. It includes a L’Amourette 59% Extra Dark Milk Chocolate Bar. Yum!