The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay, CA, United StatesDramatic cliffside golf on the Northern California coast
The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay
The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay sits on a dramatic bluff overlooking 36 holes of ocean-side golf on the Northern California coast. The Ocean Course and Old Course offer breathtaking Pacific views, fire pits dot the cliff edges, and the Scottish links-style landscape creates one of the most atmospheric golf settings in America.
- Two 18-hole courses on the Pacific cliffs: The Ocean Course (Arthur Hills, 1997) and the Old Course (Arnold Palmer, 1973), both finishing with dramatic blufftop holes
- Ocean Course's 16th, 17th, and 18th holes run directly along the cliff edge with unobstructed Pacific views
- Coastal fire pits on the resort terrace positioned for sunset viewing over the water — a signature evening ritual
- Horseback riding along coastal trails, with guided routes descending to the beach at low tide
- Fog-wrapped morning atmosphere that rivals any Northern California coastal setting, clearing to sharp Pacific light by afternoon
The Courses
- The Ocean Course — 18 holes, par 72, designed by Arthur Hills
- The Old Course — 18 holes, par 72, designed by Arnold Palmer
The Ocean Course · 18th (Par 5)
A risk-reward par-5 that tracks the cliff edge from tee to green — a forced carry up the bluff opens to an elevated fairway lined by five bunkers on the left, with the Pacific Ocean filling the western sky throughout. At 533 yards into a prevailing headwind, most players cannot reach in two, making club selection on the second shot the round's defining decision.
Restaurants & Bars
- Navio
- The Ocean Terrace
- The Conservatory
On Property
Spa- Pool
Coastal Fire Pits
Tennis
Fitness Center
Horseback Riding
Late Summer – Fall
August through October brings the clearest skies and calmest winds to the Half Moon Bay coast, turning the clifftop fairways from a wind battle into a genuine showcase.
Request a room on the cliff-facing west side — at low tide the exposed bluff shelf below the 18th fairway becomes a walking path. Play the Ocean Course in the afternoon when the wind typically backs slightly; the Old Course rewards a morning round before the fog retreats.
The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay
Features &
Amenities
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay sits on a 92-foot bluff above the Pacific, defined by two championship links-style courses designed in the Scottish tradition, a 16,000-square-foot ESPA spa, and the property's proximity to one of coastal California's most vivid seasonal landscapes.
Ocean and Old Courses
The Ocean Course (Arthur Hills, 18 holes, par 72, up to 6,914 yards) delivers views of the Pacific from virtually every hole, with tight fairways and natural coastal knolls shaping each shot. The Old Course (originally 1973, redesigned by Hills in 1999, par 72, 7,001 yards) is a parkland-style layout lined with cypress trees, with a closing hole ranked among the most highly regarded finishing holes in the country. Both courses have been cited on Golf.com's Top 100 Golf Resorts list.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa (ESPA)
The recently renovated 16,000-square-foot spa houses 15 private treatment rooms, including two couples' suites and three dedicated facial rooms. Thermal amenities include a Himalayan salt sauna, purifying steam room, cold plunge bath, and mineral whirlpool. ESPA products anchor the treatment menu, which incorporates locally foraged redwood and coastal ingredients in signature rituals like the Redwood Forest Ritual.
Navio Restaurant
Navio is the property's Forbes Four-Star dining room, led by Chef de Cuisine Xisco Simon, with a menu focused on sustainable, provenance-driven coastal ingredients and Pacific Ocean views from every table. The restaurant's wine program draws on California's coastal appellations. Navio also serves as the base for seasonal dinners that extend into the Santa Cruz Mountains wine country, pairing on-property gastronomy with off-property cellar experiences.
Signature
Events
The resort participates in one of the California coast's most distinctive annual autumn traditions.
Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival
Half Moon Bay, designated the Pumpkin Capital of the World, hosts this annual harvest festival drawing over 100,000 visitors to historic Main Street. The Ritz-Carlton is the festival's lead sponsor, hosts the Grand Marshal and Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off winner, and operates the Ritz-Carlton South Stage for live performances. The resort layers in its own seasonal programming — themed culinary offerings, harvest decor, and family activities — throughout the October stay.
One Membership.
Dozens of Destinations.
Your visit to The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is coordinated by the LXV concierge — preferred tee times, dining reservations, room upgrades, and personalized welcome amenities, arranged before you arrive. One of more than 55 properties in the LXV network.
Getting
Here
The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay1 Miramontes Point Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Tel: +1 650-712-7000
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Approximately 20 miles, 29-minute drive south via Highway 92; the primary gateway for domestic and international arrivals.
San Jose International Airport (SJC)
Approximately 45 miles, 50-60 minutes; a viable option for travelers arriving from the south or connecting through Silicon Valley.
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Approximately 40 miles, 50-minute drive; Southwest's primary Bay Area hub for budget-conscious domestic travel.
Private aviation can utilize San Carlos Airport (SQL), approximately 18 miles north, for a quieter arrival closer to the coastside.