Things to do nearby: beaches, trails, golf and local attractions
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay sits on a bluff above the Pacific with immediate access to coastal beaches, the Coastside Trail and on-site championship golf and tennis. Nearby day-trip options include Pescadero, Pillar Point Harbor and Año Nuevo for seasonal wildlife viewing.
In this guide
Beaches and bluff walks
The resort overlooks the Pacific and provides direct access to bluff-top walking and several nearby small beaches and coves. Pelican Point Beach, Redondo Beach and nearby local coves are all within a short walk of the property.
Popular larger shorelines accessed from the area include Poplar Beach and Half Moon Bay State Beach; these are reachable by short drives from the hotel. The hotel also offers 25 complimentary Coastal Access parking spaces in its garage for public beach and trail access.
- Pelican Point Beach — about a 5–10 minute walk from the resort
- Redondo Beach and small local coves — a few minutes on foot
- Poplar Beach and Half Moon Bay State Beach — short drive
| Beach/Spot | Typical access from hotel |
|---|---|
| Pelican Point Beach | Walk (minutes) |
| Poplar Beach | Drive (short) |
| Half Moon Bay State Beach | Drive (short) |
Coastside Trail and biking
The Coastside Trail runs along the bluffs right by the resort and stretches roughly seven miles toward downtown Half Moon Bay, making it a straightforward route for walkers and cyclists. The hotel provides complimentary bicycles for guests to explore the trail and nearby shoreline.
The trail is mostly flat along the bluff and popular for sunrise/sunset walks, running, and casual bike rides. Expect coastal winds and possible morning marine layer fog through summer; fall often brings clearer afternoons.
- Trail length near hotel: part of a ~7-mile coastal trail into town
- Hotel: complimentary guest bicycles available
- Tip: dress in layers for coastal wind and changing sun/fog conditions
| Activity | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Walking / jogging | Bluff-top views, benches for sunset |
| Biking | Hotel bikes available; bring lock for stops |
| Photography / birdwatching | Good coastal vistas and wildlife sightings |
Golf, tennis and other on-site sports
The resort sits beside Half Moon Bay Golf Links and offers access to championship golf courses, including an oceanside 18th hole on the Old Course. Tee times, cart rentals and pro-shop services are available through the property.
The resort also has six lighted outdoor tennis courts; court reservations and use of house rackets, balls and a ball machine are included with resort access. Other on-site fitness options include a 24-hour fitness center and an indoor pool.
- Half Moon Bay Golf Links — immediate on-site access and ocean-hole views
- Six lighted tennis courts — reservations and house equipment included
- Fitness center — open 24 hours for guests; indoor pool generally open 7:00 AM–8:00 PM
| Facility | Notes |
|---|---|
| Golf | Championship courses adjacent; arrange tee times via pro shop |
| Tennis | Six lighted courts; house rackets/balls included |
| Fitness & pool | 24-hour fitness center; indoor pool access hours published |
On-site dining and fire-pit gatherings
Dining at the resort includes Navio (seafood-centered fine dining), The Conservatory (oceanview California cuisine) and Ocean Terrace (casual al fresco seafood and a curated raw bar). Check each venue’s published hours and reservations policies before arrival.
The Ocean Terrace lawn has fire pits where guests can gather in cooler evenings for warmth and s'mores-type experiences. The hotel’s Club Level (Ritz-Carlton Club) is a paid upgrade that offers a private lounge with culinary presentations throughout the day.
- Navio — signature seafood-focused menu; reservation recommended
- The Conservatory — breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
- Ocean Terrace — al fresco dining with fire pits; bar service hours vary
| Restaurant | Typical offerings / hours |
|---|---|
| Navio | Seafood-centered; lunch & dinner (check published days/hours) |
| The Conservatory | Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily |
| Ocean Terrace | Al fresco lunch/dinner and raw bar; fire pits on lawn |
Nearby day trips and wildlife viewing
Short drives from the resort include Pillar Point Harbor for fishing-fleet views and boat activity, and the rural town of Pescadero for farms, Pie Ranch and local food stops. Filoli Estate and other regional attractions are listed by the hotel for visitors seeking gardens and historic houses.
Año Nuevo State Park hosts an elephant seal colony with a seasonal viewing period (roughly November–March) that typically requires reservations. Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park is another nearby landmark; the grounds are open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset.
- Pillar Point Harbor — working harbor and fishing activity
- Pescadero / Pie Ranch — farm stands and local food stops (short drive)
- Año Nuevo State Park — seasonal elephant seal viewing (reservations often required)
| Attraction | Travel notes |
|---|---|
| Año Nuevo State Park | Elephant seals; seasonal viewing and reservations |
| Pigeon Point Lighthouse | Grounds open daily 8 a.m.–sunset |
| Pescadero / Pie Ranch | Local farms, pies and small-town stops |
Practical tips for exploring
The hotel address is 1 Miramontes Point Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is typically about a 20–30 mile drive depending on route; the property does not list a complimentary airport shuttle. Limo or town-car service may be arranged through the resort.
On-site valet parking is available (the property lists overnight and day fees); self-parking is limited to Guest House stays. The property provides complimentary Coastal Access parking spaces in the garage and nearby Canada Verde Trailhead parking for public access.
- Hotel phone (BookResorts agents, 24/7): +1 (888) 605-1350
- No complimentary airport shuttle listed; arrange car service or rental
- Complimentary Wi‑Fi is available throughout the property
| Service / Amenity | Note |
|---|---|
| Parking | Valet available; self-parking for Guest House stays only |
| Coastal access parking | 25 complimentary spaces in hotel garage; Canada Verde Trailhead nearby |
| Bikes | Complimentary guest bicycles for short explorations |
Room choices to suit activities
Choose rooms facing the ocean or golf course if you want easy views of the coastline or proximity to the course. Room types include Ocean Room, Ocean Balcony Room, Ocean House Coastal, Ocean Terrace Fire Pit Room and a range of suites and Club Access options.
Guest House rooms (for example, Guest House Deluxe, Golf View Room) are the property’s designated Guest House accommodation and are among the room types that may be pet-friendly; the Coastal Club Access Room and many Club Access suites offer the Club lounge upgrade.
- Ocean Room / Ocean Balcony Room — ocean-facing choices
- Guest House Deluxe, Golf View Room — Guest House building options (pet-friendly availability limited)
- Coastal Club Access Room — Club Level access is a paid upgrade
| Room name examples | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Ocean Room | Ocean views; good for beach/trail access |
| Guest House Deluxe, Golf View Room | Pet-friendly Guest House option; closer parking |
| Coastal Club Access Room | Club lounge access with culinary presentations (paid upgrade) |
