Weekend Escapes: The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay is one of my favorite places to escape to, and this year, The Husband and I went for my birthday. We were able to spend a week at the luxurious Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay, with fire pits right near the ocean. We made s’mores and create memories that we will always cherish.

Whether you’re coming from the Bay Area, Los Angeles, or flying in from out of town, there is something for everyone at the Ritz Carlton.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by the friendly staff with a glass of local wine from one of the nearby vineyards. The concierge treated us like royalty as they gave us a complimentary upgrade for being Marriott Bonvoy members.

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Upon entering our oceanfront room, we were taken by the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean right in our own little backyard for the next week. We relaxed in our room for a bit before exploring the grounds and spending time drinking wine on the outdoor patio as we took in the great views and walked along the golf course trails.

Where To Dine At In Half Moon Bay

For dinner, we choose to go to Pasta Moon, an amazing Italian restaurant which is my new favorite restaurant to dine at whenever I’m in town. They have great food and accommodate for vegans as well. Since the mask mandates have lifted in the state of California, there are no mask requirements in the restaurant as you wait for your food.

After dinner, we took a stroll downtown Half Moon Bay and explored the unique shops that line Main Street. I absolutely love small towns, and I think that’s why I absolutely adore Half Moon Bay.

Because it is such a small town, the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay is the only oceanfront hotel in Half Moon Bay that sits right on the California coast. It is definitely a splurge option and that is why The Husband and I spent a glorious week doing absolutely nothing.

If a splurge trip is something you want to do but you’re considering a day trip instead, the Ritz Carlton offers amazing fine dining with views of the ocean. Half Moon Bay is famous for it’s local produce provided by local farms. Sam’s Chowder House is a great option if you’re looking for clam chowder or fresh seafood. Another popular choice is to check out the raw bar restaurants or any of the other great delicious seafood restaurants in Harbor Village.

We spent the next morning waking up to breakfast in bed which is the perfect way to start the day. Afterwards, we headed back to the harbor to check out the harbor views and strolled along Johnson Pier. I’d say HMB definitely has some of the best coastal cuisine I’ve had to be such a small town. We later checked out Moonside Bakery which is famous for some pastries before going for a drive along the coast.

Shoes – Birdies

Bag – Chanel 19 Flap

Trench Coat – Coach (similar style)

Jeans – Boden

The Coastal Town Of Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay has a slower pace of life, like most small towns, where there is literally nothing to do but eat, drink and be merry. Of course there are plenty of hiking trails nearby and you can also go to the beach for lunch and sit at one of the picnic tables, but you’ll mostly find older adults at the Ritz Carlton or those celebrating special occasions, like we were.

Though the Ritz is fancy, we found that mostly all the other restaurants in the area have a casual ambiance. HMB is a small coastal town so that is to be expected by the locals. I still consider this a great destination to travel to, even if you’re spending just one night.

Sweater – Banana Republic (similar style)

Jeans – Levis High Rise Skinny Jeans

How Long Should You Stay At The Ritz Carlton?

Though we stayed for an entire week, one to two nights is plenty when spending time at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay. You can dine, play golf, go for a walk along the beach, hike along some of the hidden trails and just spend time relaxing and unwinding from the hustle and bustle.

Another reason you only need two to three days to enjoy the Ritz is because if you stay for longer, you won’t want to leave 🙂

Activities In Half Moon Bay

Besides being a sleepy, coastal town, Half Moon Bay is also considered the pumpkin capital of the world. During the fall, Half Moon Bay produces more than 3,000 tons of pumpkins every year by the growers in the area. If you have children, this would be an ideal time to bring them to explore Arata’s Pumpkin Farm and many others in the area. Be sure to try out pumpkin pancakes as they’re a local favorite.

Because we stayed for a week, I made sure to get in my workout. The Ritz has an amazing state-of-the-art gym with all the equipment you’d ever need to keep fit on your trip. I had the place to myself whenever I went and I thoroughly enjoyed getting in a good workout on my vacation.

We also enjoyed bike riding along the coast to take in the beautiful views and the amazing view of the Ritz as we rode further along the coast.

Towards the middle of the week, my excitement grew as we had my birthday dinner at The Conservatory. We sat right by the window with a front row seat of the ocean. I wore a black dress by Alieva and The Husband and I toasted champagne as we ate, laughed and enjoyed ourselves.

What I Wore

Dress – Alieva (I wear a size 6)

Shoes – Mach & Mach Double Crystal Bow Pumps

Bag – Chanel Wallet on Chain

Necklace, Earrings, Bracelet & Ring – Cate & Chloe (use code NORTHOFBLEU for 20% off)

More Reasons To Love The Ritz

• Complimentary bikes available for rent to explore the Ritz and Half Moon Bay
• Complimentary wine every day from 2pm – 10pm
• 24-hour gym onsite
• Fire pits to sit by and enjoy a glass of wine or hot chocolate for the colder nights
• Peace, serenity and calmness by the sea

Final Thoughts

Would I recommend the Ritz? Absolutely. Not only is it a breathtaking resort, it is one of the top hotels in the world. Being a 5-star hotel, the Ritz is a splurge and can be quite pricey. Would I recommend this hotel for a family with children? Yes, of course. The kids have plenty of activities to do from going on walks, riding bikes, playing tennis, swimming and of course, sitting by the fire pits to enjoy s’mores. So why not treat yourself and indulge? After all, you deserve it.

More Information

Hotel – The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay

Location – 1 Miramontes Point Road, half Moon Bay, California, 94019 USA

Accommodation – Luxury

Price – $$$$

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• Weekend Escapes: Paso Robles
• Half Moon Bay Luxury Hotels
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