
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Best for couples, families, and leisure travelers who want ocean views, on‑site golf, tennis and a large spa.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is a five‑star ocean‑bluff resort for travelers who want coastal views, golf, and a full spa program. San Francisco Marriott Marquis is a large 4‑star downtown convention hotel for business travelers and groups who need central access to Moscone/Union Square and large meeting capacity.
Updated · about 35–45 miles apart by road (roughly 56–72 km)

Best for couples, families, and leisure travelers who want ocean views, on‑site golf, tennis and a large spa.

Best for conferences, big groups, and travelers who want a central downtown base within walking distance of museums and Union Square.
When The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay wins: choose the Ritz-Carlton for ocean‑bluff scenery, on‑site championship golf, curated coastal dining and a large spa—it’s the better pick for leisure stays, weddings, and active coastal programming.
When San Francisco Marriott Marquis wins: pick the Marriott Marquis when you need lots of meeting space, easy walking access to Moscone, SFMOMA and Union Square, or a familiar big‑brand downtown stay for business or event travel.
Bottom line: both hotels can handle meetings and events, but they serve different needs—Ritz‑Carlton is a coastal resort experience with resort amenities; Marriott Marquis is a big downtown hotel built around scale, visibility and convention business.
| Category | The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay | San Francisco Marriott Marquis |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort set on ocean bluffs with leisure activities and family programs | Large urban convention and downtown hotel, business and group focused |
| Location | Half Moon Bay bluff overlooking the Pacific; near Coastside Trail and beaches | Central San Francisco (780 Mission Street), walking distance to SFMOMA and Moscone |
| Size (rooms) | 261 guestrooms and suites | 1500 air-conditioned rooms |
| Built / renovated | Built 2001; renovated 2024 (property-level notes) | Not published |
| Pools / beach access | Indoor pool access (published hours commonly 7:00 AM–8:00 PM); bluff access to nearby beaches and trails | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Navio (signature seafood fine dining), The Conservatory, Ocean Terrace (al fresco/raw bar/fire pits) | 2 restaurants and a coffee shop/cafe; B55 Craft House & Kitchen highlighted |
| Spa & wellness | The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Half Moon Bay — 16,000 sq ft, treatment rooms, steam, sauna, whirlpools | Not published |
| Meetings & events | About 20,300 sq ft (Ritz meetings page) across multiple rooms; several indoor/outdoor wedding sites | Large conference center: 130,000 sq ft and 65 meeting rooms |
| Family policy | Family‑friendly; Ritz Kids programming (ages 5–12); some adult‑only spa/fitness areas | All ages welcome (not adults‑only) |
| Parking & transport | Valet parking (fee), free Coastal Access parking spaces for beach access; limo/town car options | Valet parking (surcharge), covered/secured parking; close to public transit |
Set on a bluff above the Pacific, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is outside the city with coastal trails and beaches minutes away.
Choose the Ritz‑Carlton for coastal scenery and a quieter, activity‑focused setting outside the city.
San Francisco Marriott Marquis is in the heart of downtown, close to Moscone Center, SFMOMA and Union Square.
Choose the Marriott Marquis for convenience when you want to be downtown for business, museums or shopping.
Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay offers a smaller, resort‑scale room inventory with multiple suite levels and Club access.
Pick the Ritz‑Carlton for larger suite choices, Club service and ocean‑view room types.
San Francisco Marriott Marquis has a very large room count and many accessibility‑focused room types.
Pick the Marriott Marquis for a wide variety of standard and accessible room configurations in a big downtown hotel.
The Ritz-Carlton concentrates on coastal, seafood‑forward dining across three on‑site venues.
Ritz dining is focused on seafood and ocean views, with both formal and casual options on property.
San Francisco Marriott Marquis offers multiple on‑site dining outlets and immediate access to downtown restaurants.
Marriott Marquis is practical for business meals and quick downtown dining, plus on‑site options for groups.
The Ritz‑Carlton provides indoor pool access and immediate coastal walking opportunities.
Ritz‑Carlton works for guests who expect pool time and want easy access to beaches and coastal trails.
San Francisco Marriott Marquis is an urban hotel; public waterfront beaches are not part of the immediate offering.
Marriott Marquis is not a beach or resort pool destination; it’s optimized for city access and events.
The Ritz‑Carlton emphasizes a large spa, fitness classes and resort activities.
Ritz‑Carlton caters to spa and wellness guests and to those who prefer quieter evening gatherings.
San Francisco Marriott Marquis offers fitness facilities and downtown nightlife nearby.
Marriott Marquis works for guests who want quick access to city nightlife, theaters and late‑night dining.

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay — ocean bluffs, on‑site championship golf and coastal trails.

San Francisco Marriott Marquis — roughly 130,000 sq ft of event space and 65 meeting rooms.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Half Moon Bay — a 16,000‑sq‑ft facility with multiple treatment rooms and wet amenities.

San Francisco Marriott Marquis — walkable to Moscone Center, SFMOMA, Union Square and theaters.
The Ritz‑Carlton, Half Moon Bay — it runs a Ritz Kids program (ages 5–12), family rooms and activities; the spa and locker rooms are restricted to guests 18+.
San Francisco Marriott Marquis — it has large convention facilities (about 130,000 sq ft) and is within walking distance of Moscone Center and downtown venues.
No — the Marriott Marquis is a downtown property; for ocean views and beach access, choose The Ritz‑Carlton, Half Moon Bay.
The Ritz‑Carlton, Half Moon Bay has a large, published spa. The San Francisco Marriott Marquis spa details are not published in the supplier listing.
Explore how The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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