Getting around Half Moon Bay and the resort
This guide explains how to get around The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay and the nearby Coastside area: on-site you can walk the bluff, use complimentary guest bicycles, valet or Guest House self-parking, and the resort arranges cars or town cars for airport transfers. For beaches and the Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail, plan short walks from the bluff and check local parking and trail access before you go.
In this guide
Arriving, parking, and airport transfers
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is at 1 Miramontes Point Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019. There is on-site valet parking; Guest House guests may use self-parking. The property also provides 25 complimentary Coastal Access parking spaces for nearby public beach and trail access.
There is no complimentary airport shuttle. Guests typically arrange a car service, taxi, or rental car for transfers to and from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or other Bay Area airports; the resort can also arrange limo or town-car service on request.
- Hotel phone for BookResorts agents (24/7): +1 (888) 605-1350
- Nearby major airport most commonly used: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Valet parking and Guest House self-parking options are available
- Complimentary Coastal Access parking (25 spaces) for public beach/trail access
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valet parking | On-site; published fees available from hotel |
| Guest House self-parking | Available only to Guest House guests |
| Airport transfers | No complimentary shuttle; car service/taxi/rental recommended |
Getting around the resort (walking, bikes, and paths)
The resort sits on a coastal bluff with short walking connections between guest rooms, restaurants, the spa, and the oceanfront lawn. Many hotel areas are walkable; bring layers for coastal wind and fog that can appear quickly.
The property provides free bicycles for guests, which are useful for exploring the adjacent Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail and nearby beaches. The Coastside Trail runs along the bluffs right by the hotel and extends into Half Moon Bay.
- Free guest bicycles available
- Coastside Trail runs along the bluff next to the resort (roughly 7 miles into town)
- Short walks to Pelican Point Beach and nearby small coves (Manhattan Beach/Redondo Beach are close)
| On-site route | Approximate access |
|---|---|
| Bluff/Coastside Trail | Accessible directly from resort grounds |
| Pelican Point/nearby coves | A few minutes' walk |
| Half Moon Bay town center | Trail and short drive; trail extends toward town |
Beaches, coastal access, and local walking tips
Several beaches and small coves are short walks or a short drive from the resort. Pelican Point Beach and local coves often require only a few minutes on foot; Half Moon Bay State Beach and Poplar Beach are a short drive away.
The resort offers 25 complimentary Coastal Access parking spaces for beach and trail users; free public Coastal Access parking is also available nearby at the Canada Verde Trailhead. Check local signage for public-access routes down the bluff before attempting steep sections.
- Pelican Point Beach: roughly a 5–10 minute walk from the resort (classicvacations.com notes ~6 minutes)
- Poplar Beach and Half Moon Bay State Beach: short drives (Poplar ~1.4–2 miles; State Beach ~2.5–3.4 miles per sources)
- When walking the bluffs, expect wind and variable fog—dress in layers
| Beach/Route | How to reach from resort |
|---|---|
| Pelican Point Beach | Short walk (minutes) |
| Poplar Beach | Short drive (1–2 miles) |
| Half Moon Bay State Beach | Short drive (2.5–3.4 miles) |
On-site dining and making reservations
The resort's on-site dining venues are Navio, The Conservatory, and Ocean Terrace. Navio is the signature seafood-focused restaurant; The Conservatory serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; Ocean Terrace is an al fresco seafood spot on the oceanfront lawn with fire pits.
Navio publishes specific service days and hours; reservations are recommended for Navio and for dinner service at The Conservatory during busy periods. Ocean Terrace may have different hours seasonally and sometimes does not take reservations—check the hotel's dining page or call ahead.
- Navio: seafood-centered; publishes hours and days open—reservations recommended
- The Conservatory: open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner (check hotel for current hours)
- Ocean Terrace: casual, oceanfront with fire pits; check whether reservations are accepted
| Restaurant | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Navio | Lunch & dinner; reservations recommended |
| The Conservatory | Breakfast, lunch, dinner; open daily |
| Ocean Terrace | Lunch & dinner; al fresco, fire pits |
Activities, amenities, and age rules
On-site activities include championship golf with courses adjacent to the resort, six lighted tennis courts, an indoor pool, and spa services at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Half Moon Bay. Reservations are required for golf tee times and spa treatments.
Important age rules to note: the spa facilities (locker rooms, wet amenities) and the fitness center are reserved for guests 18 and older; massage services are not available to guests under 18. The resort is family-friendly overall and runs a Ritz Kids program for ages 5–12.
- Golf: on-site championship courses; tee times arranged through the pro shop
- Tennis: six lighted courts; house rackets, balls, and ball machine included in resort fee
- Spa: 16,000 sq. ft., open daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; day-passes available (age 18+ for spa day use)
- Pool access generally available from 7:00 AM–8:00 PM
| Amenity | Access / Notes |
|---|---|
| Fitness Center | Open 24 hours; adults 18+ only |
| Spa | Open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; spa reservations recommended; 18+ for treatments |
| Indoor pool | Published guest access 7:00 AM–8:00 PM |
Nearby day trips and practical transport notes
The resort is about 20 miles from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and roughly a 30–45 minute drive depending on traffic; there is no hotel airport shuttle so plan a car service, taxi or rental car. Other regional airports (Oakland, San Jose) are farther.
Popular nearby day trips include Pescadero and Pie Ranch to the south, Pigeon Point Lighthouse, and Año Nuevo State Park for seasonal elephant-seal viewing (Año Nuevo viewing requires reservations in peak seasons). Downtown San Francisco is a manageable coastal drive for a day trip.
- Typical drive to SFO: around 20–30 miles (timing varies by route and traffic)
- Pescadero & Pie Ranch: about 14 miles south (drive time varies)
- Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Año Nuevo: reachable by car; check seasonal hours and reservation requirements
| Destination | Approximate travel note |
|---|---|
| San Francisco (downtown) | Coastal drive; roughly 30–45 minutes depending on traffic |
| Pescadero / Pie Ranch | About 14 miles south; popular local stop |
| Año Nuevo State Park | Seasonal elephant-seal viewing; reservations required in season |
