Proposals and weddings at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay provides multiple ceremony and reception sites with ocean views (indoor and outdoor) and on-site wedding services—options range from intimate terraces like North Bluff to larger lawns and the 7,100 sq ft Ritz-Carlton Ballroom. Contact the hotel or your BookResorts agent to confirm availability, capacities, and vendor rules.
In this guide
Wedding venues and capacities
The resort offers a mix of indoor and outdoor event spaces for ceremonies and receptions. Key options include the Ritz-Carlton Ballroom and several ocean-facing lawns and terraces.
Known venue details and stated capacities include the following.
- Ritz-Carlton Ballroom Venue — 7,100 square feet, 17-foot vaulted ceilings; capacity listed for receptions up to 300 guests.
- Ocean Lawn Venue — ocean-bluff terrace; listed capacity up to 300 guests.
- North Bluff Venue — smaller ocean-view terrace suitable for intimate ceremonies; capacity listed up to 60 guests.
- Mar Vista Lawn — 7,500 square-foot garden lawn; listed capacity up to 600 guests for ceremonies/receptions (as provided by hotel materials).
- Miramontes Venue — 1,100 sq ft meeting room with adjacent oceanfront terrace; often used for smaller receptions or private dinners.
| Venue | Notes | Stated capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Ritz-Carlton Ballroom | Largest indoor ballroom with vaulted ceiling | 300 (dinner/reception) |
| Ocean Lawn | Open-air ocean-bluff terrace | 300 |
| North Bluff | Intimate ocean-view terrace | 60 |
Best spots and timing for proposals
Bluff-top terraces and the Ocean Lawn are the most common spots for proposals because they put the Pacific directly in the background. The Coastside Trail runs along the bluff past the resort and offers unobstructed ocean views for a private moment.
Timing depends on the light you want: sunrise and late afternoon before sunset give warm light and fewer daytime visitors on the bluff. Note that the hotel sits on a bluff above the ocean; public seating and a local sunset bagpipe tradition occur just south of the property.
- Ocean Lawn or North Bluff for ocean-facing, photo-friendly proposals.
- Coastside Trail right by the hotel for walks that lead to proposal spots.
- Sunset timing is popular but can be busier on the bluff; early morning is quieter.
| Spot | When to pick it |
|---|---|
| North Bluff | Any time for intimacy; late afternoon for golden light |
| Ocean Lawn | Sunset for dramatic sea views; reserve if you want privacy |
| Coastside Trail | Morning or late afternoon for fewer passersby |
Rooms and suites for couples and small wedding parties
Choose a room type that suits how private or spread-out you want your pre- or post-ceremony time to be. The property lists many room types including Ocean Room, Ocean Balcony Room, Ocean Terrace Fire Pit Room, Ocean House Coastal, and suites with club access.
If you want a private outdoor fire-pit area attached to a room, consider room types with 'Fire Pit' or Ocean House Fire Pit in the name; for larger indoor entertaining space, look at suites such as One Bedroom Suite, Club Access or Ocean House Balcony Suite options (these exact names appear among the property's room inventory).
- Ocean Room — ocean-facing guestroom options.
- Ocean Balcony Room — private balcony with ocean views.
- Ocean Terrace Fire Pit Room / Ocean House Fire Pit Suite — rooms and suites with private terrace fire-pit options.
- One Bedroom Suite, Club Access — larger suite with separate living area for private gatherings.
| Room/Suite name (as listed) | Why couples choose it |
|---|---|
| Ocean Room | Direct ocean views, suitable for two |
| Ocean Balcony Room | Private balcony for photos and quiet moments |
| One Bedroom Suite, Club Access | Separate living space for pre-wedding prep or small gatherings |
Dining, rehearsal dinners and private menus
The resort operates three on-site restaurants that may be available for rehearsal dinners or private meals: Navio (signature seafood-focused fine dining), The Conservatory (oceanview California cuisine), and Ocean Terrace (al fresco seafood with fire pits).
Each restaurant has its published hours and dress codes; Navio lists specific service days and reservation options, while The Conservatory is open daily and the Ocean Terrace runs daytime-to-early-evening service with casual attire.
- Navio — contemporary seafood-centered menu; reservations available online or by phone; listed hours and limited days of operation for dinner/brunch.
- The Conservatory — breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; oceanview dining in a modern beach-house setting.
- Ocean Terrace — casual al fresco dining and raw bar with fire pits on the lawn; check current hours and reservation policy.
| Restaurant | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Navio | Lunch, dinner & weekend brunch (see hotel listings for days/hours) |
| The Conservatory | Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily |
| Ocean Terrace | Lunch & early dinner, outdoor lawn service |
Spa, fitness and pre-wedding pampering
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Half Moon Bay is on-site and operates daily with listed spa hours; it includes a 16,000-square-foot facility and offers signature treatments inspired by the local landscape. Spa amenities and treatment reservations should be booked in advance.
Spa and fitness access policies: the spa's wet amenities (locker rooms, whirlpools, steam, sauna) are included with confirmed spa reservations and the fitness center is open 24 hours for hotel guests. Note: spa services and fitness locker rooms are restricted to guests 18 and older.
- Spa hours: open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (book treatments ahead).
- Spa facilities include treatment rooms, steam room, sauna and whirlpools; some amenities require a confirmed reservation.
- Fitness center: 24-hour access for registered guests; spa and fitness locker rooms restricted to 18+.
| Service | What to know |
|---|---|
| Spa treatments | Book ahead; massages not available to guests under 18 |
| Spa amenities | Access included with confirmed spa reservation; day passes available (age 18+) |
| Fitness center | Open 24 hours; for registered guests only |
Logistics, permits and planning tips
The hotel's address is 1 Miramontes Point Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019. Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM; early check-in and late check-out can be requested but are not guaranteed. The minimum age to check in is 18.
Because many ceremony sites are outdoors on coastal bluffs or public-access areas, check with the resort planner about permits, insurance, noise restrictions, and any limits on outside vendors. The resort publishes capacities and several spaces require advance reservation for events.
- Contact for general booking help (BookResorts agents, 24/7): +1 (888) 605-1350.
- Confirm site setup, AV needs, and vendor rules with the hotel's events team before signing contracts.
- Ask about the daily resort fee and what it covers for guest amenities during your wedding block.
| Item | What the dossier confirms |
|---|---|
| Check-in / Check-out | 4:00 PM / 11:00 AM |
| Minimum check-in age | 18 (under-18 must be with parent/guardian) |
| Event contact | Use hotel sales/events team; confirm capacities and permits |
