Designed in the style of a 19th-century seaside lodge, the 261-room Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay sits atop scenic bluffs overlooking the rugged Northern California coastline. A bike and jogging trail leads down to the beach 300 yards away, while up on the bluff the hotel’s own amenities include two golf courses, a complex of six hard courts, a spa, two fitness centers, two restaurants, and expansive meeting space. The rooms themselves have hardwood floors, stone fireplaces, and broad terraces with views of the ocean, mountains, or golf course.
The tennis program is managed by Peter Burwash International’s Kevin Harrington. He grew up in Half Moon Bay, where he played junior tennis, left to study geology at the University of Nebraska on a baseball scholarship, and then came home and back to playing tennis when he heard about an opening at the Ritz. He joined PBI in 2005 and has run the program for most of the period since. tennis as He runs programs both for guests and local members. Activities include clinics for all levels, twice weekly doubles mixers, and themed socials that bring guests together with the coastal tennis community. That membership also provides a base for matching guests looking for games with appropriate opponents.
The courts lie a five-minute walk from the hotel at a complex know has the Colony Club, which consists of an expansive fitness center, a few guest houses, and those six courts, which are protected from the wind by a berm bordering one of the golf fairways. “The core of my business is the 500+ members,” says Harrington. “Then June, July, August bring in tons of vacationers.” As a guest, you can look forward to daily clinics, occasional doubles mixers, and studious game matching with members providing a stable of players. As a local, Harrington is more than usually knowledgeable about the diverse attractions of Half Moon Bay itself, not only the beach and surfing, but its historic main street, pumpkin patches (for which it is famous), and the wine tasting and redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains behind.
Court Complex: Six hard courts, each individually lighted with handsome wooden chairs and low tables at courtside, and a minimalist pro shop, with balls, a few accessories, loaner racquets, and restringing services.
Off Court
Beach: One of Northern California’s great surfing beaches is a short walk from the hotel.
Golf Courses: The resort has two 18-hole courses
The Old Course: Originally designed in 1973 by Francis Duane and Arnold Palmer and redesigned in 1999 by Arthur Hills, this parkland course has it’s home hole atop the bluff adjacent to the hotel above the crashing waves. Par 72, 7,104 yards.
The Ocean Course: Arthur Hills designed this Scottish links style course to have views of the Pacific from every hole. Expect prevailing winds and tight fairways. Par 72, 6,700 yards.
Spa & Fitness Center: The 16,000-square-foot spa in the hotel focuses on relaxation, rejuvenation, and salon services. One notable amenity is a candlelit, co-ed Roman mineral bath with a tsunami shower. The hotel’s spa adjoins a small fitness center whose equipment is arrayed to provide views of the Pacific. A second larger two-story fitness center adjoins the tennis courts, and has an indoor heated swimming pool, studio with a large number of complimentary classes, and Cardio and free-weight workout rooms with views on the foliage outside.
Bike trails lace the resort and continue into the coastal beyond. The region is also known for its bird watching.
Children's programs: The Ritz Kids program offers half-day and full-day programs consisting of physical and creative activities for children ages 5 to 12.
Dining: There are two restaurants: Navio, atop an ocean bluff, where it serves Northern California cuisine; and the more casual Conservatory Lounge, also with floor-to-ceiling windows on the coastalscape. They are complemented by Eno, a wine bar serving a selection of wines by the glass, cheeses, and chocolate.
Accommodations
The options are the rooms and suites in the six-story hotel itself—which have coastal, courtyard, or golf-course views, with fire pits on the terraces of some of the first-floor rooms, and fireplaces in some others— or the Guest Cottages adjacent to the tennis courts. The rooms themselves have hardwood floors, stone fireplaces, and broad terraces with views of the ocean, mountains, or golf course.
Getting there
Seasons: Year-round.
Travel Instructions: By Air: The nearest major airport is San Francisco International (SFO), 24 miles to the north.
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6 Reviews on “The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay”
Excellent
4.5
6 reviews
JB
Absolutely great week with Kevin . I will definitely return as often as I can. Facilities and setting just beautiful. Kevin is a very perceptive and knowledgeable tennis instructor. Spent 4 days and came away with lots to incorporate into my game. And exhausted. Highly recommended though I did not stay at ritz due to convention and priciness. But stayed nearby and easily accessible by rent a car. Or Uber
CM
Incredible views. Great tennis instruction. Three of us took lessons over several days and all of us really improved our game!
AS
Good, knowledgable and patient instructors who offer useful tips and insight with a good mix of sincerity and sense of humor!
LS
Can’t say enough great things about the pros at this facility. Kevin & Travis are AWESOME! They can make you a better player in a short amount of time. Beautiful setting within walking distance of the ocean.
KC
The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is an amazing property. The location alone leaves you breathless.Exceptional views of the Pacific, many sights to see, and an exceptional Tennis program. The pros at this site were friendly, knowledgeable, and definitely made my stay a memorable one. I feel that the handful of lessons I took improved my game considerably, and I look forward to returning to this property in the near future. Thanks for a wonderful experience!
RS
I play in a weekly clinic with Travis whenever I can, and it is a great part of my weekly practice routine. Travis does a great job providing tips for all levels of players, including improvements to the forehand, backhand, serve and strategy for doubles play. I continue to improve my game by playing at the Ritz-Carlton, and the facility is great.
6 Reviews on “The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay”
Absolutely great week with Kevin . I will definitely return as often as I can. Facilities and setting just beautiful. Kevin is a very perceptive and knowledgeable tennis instructor. Spent 4 days and came away with lots to incorporate into my game. And exhausted. Highly recommended though I did not stay at ritz due to convention and priciness. But stayed nearby and easily accessible by rent a car. Or Uber
Incredible views. Great tennis instruction. Three of us took lessons over several days and all of us really improved our game!
Good, knowledgable and patient instructors who offer useful tips and insight with a good mix of sincerity and sense of humor!
Can’t say enough great things about the pros at this facility. Kevin & Travis are AWESOME! They can make you a better player in a short amount of time. Beautiful setting within walking distance of the ocean.
The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is an amazing property. The location alone leaves you breathless.Exceptional views of the Pacific, many sights to see, and an exceptional Tennis program. The pros at this site were friendly, knowledgeable, and definitely made my stay a memorable one. I feel that the handful of lessons I took improved my game considerably, and I look forward to returning to this property in the near future. Thanks for a wonderful experience!
I play in a weekly clinic with Travis whenever I can, and it is a great part of my weekly practice routine. Travis does a great job providing tips for all levels of players, including improvements to the forehand, backhand, serve and strategy for doubles play. I continue to improve my game by playing at the Ritz-Carlton, and the facility is great.