Located less than an hour’s drive south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is often visited as a day trip from the city. But with a charming downtown and miles of beautiful coastline to explore it’s worth staying at least a night or two.
Coastal views at the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay
Here are a few options for staying in Half Moon Bay, no matter what your budget.
Less Expensive
The Half Moon Bay Inn
A small queen room at the Half Moon Bay Inn
Located right on Main Street in downtown Half Moon Bay, the pet-friendly Half Moon Bay Inn offers stylish and cozy yet comfortable rooms with marble baths, queen or king beds, and plantation shutters overlooking the street or into the nearby hills. For those planning a longer stay or traveling with family, the suites and villas provide all the comforts of home, including small kitchens and sitting rooms in the suites, and even more space in the villas, which have one or two bedrooms, full kitchens, dining areas, private balconies, and even washers and dryers.
Best perk: Fewer amenities keep the prices here low, but the location in town is ideal for those who want easy access to shopping and dining downtown. Walking distance to the Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese Co. means you can indulge in several tastes and not have to worry about driving back to your hotel.
Room rates start at $115-$140 per night. Suites and villas start at $200-$300 per night with weekly and monthly rates available.
Mid-Range
The Half Moon Bay Lodge
A king room at the Half Moon Bay Lodge
The hacienda-style rooms at the Half Moon Bay Lodge are spacious with private patios or balconies accessed by sliding glass doors and overlooking the yard and nearby golf course. Suites have fireplaces and sofa sleepers while king and queen rooms offer a small desk and additional seating on a comfortable chair and ottoman. The hotel is pet-friendly and has an on-site pool and covered jacuzzi, patio seating with a fireplace, and a fitness room. Additional amenities include free wi-fi and a complimentary breakfast with a waffle station.
Best perk: The secluded pool area is quite nice and the nearby fireplace encourages guests to linger over a glass of wine under the stars, but the complimentary breakfast buffet makes this an even better value.
Room rates start at around $200 per night. Read more about the Half Moon Bay Lodge. Check rates with Booking.com.
Splurge in Half Moon Bay, California
The Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay
The Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay
With nearly 300 rooms, the Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay is one of the largest hotels in the area, and certainly the most luxurious. Rooms have that classic “old money” feel without sacrificing modern amenities. There’s an onsite pool, fitness center, spa, hair salon, golf course, lounge, two restaurants, a wine bar, and an outdoor terrace bar complete with romantic fire pits for chilly nights. Not surprisingly, the extensive property is a popular place for weddings. What really sets the Ritz apart though is the service – from the moment you are offered a glass of wine at check-in to the moment you depart, when staff ensures you have bottled water and directions for the road; staff go above and beyond to make guests feel pampered and completely cared for.
Best perk: It’s hard to choose between the available bike rentals (perfect for riding the coastal trail to Sam’s for a buttery lobster roll) or the wine bar, which is a connoisseur’s dream with a 5,000-bottle cellar and sommeliers who really know their stuff, but I think the best part about a stay at the Ritz is the unbeatable view over the bluffs to the rocky coast. Watching the sunset to the tune of the bagpiper while sipping a glass of wine is the perfect way to end any day in Half Moon Bay.
Room rates start at around $500 per night. Read more about the Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay . You can also check prices at Hotels.com.
There’s plenty to do while you’re visiting Half Moon Bay too:
