A Castle on the California Coast

Take a great luxury hotel brand, put it in a spectacular location, add a great golf course, spa, and wine bar, and you have a destination resort to please any type of traveler. A wedding…yes. A romantic getaway…yes. A girls’ or guys' weekend…yes. A corporate retreat…yes. But if it's going to be a great family destination, it needs something more. And the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay has that extra something.


A castle on the coast is what they call it. What better way to describe a beautiful, elegant building perched on a bluff overlooking a spectacular stretch of northern California coastline. With architecture so unique and interesting that practically every room is different, no cookie-cutter floor plans here!

The best rooms in my opinion: ground floor fireplace pit rooms.

Ground floor for me, so I have quick access right out of my room to the beautiful surroundings. But which side, north or south? To the south, what seems to be an endless view of rugged coastline and crashing surf.

To the north, still amazing views, but also quick access to the spa and a pretty courtyard filled with Adirondack chairs and a hot tub. And seamless Ritz Carlton service no matter where you're located.

So what makes this particular resort so great for families?

A staff that welcomes children – Kids get their own special welcome check-in desk, with an invitation to participate in a scavenger hunt to win a prize.


The Ritz Kids program– Children enjoy offers activities from arts & crafts to flying kites to building sandcastles, and Kids Night Out on weekends give parents a chance to enjoy a quiet dinner alone. And special events are offering for holidays throughout the year, including Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.

An indoor pool – It’s unusual to find one on the northern California coast since ocean breezes year round can make swimmers uncomfortable even on the hottest days . But at the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, kids can swim year-round in a heated pool.

S’mores by the outdoor fire pit – Need I say more?

Many travelers stop in Half Moon Bay when touring the California coast. But there’s so much to do in the area, it’s worth staying a few nights to go tide pooling, visit the giant redwoods, or see elephant seals at Ano Nuevo State Park.
Virtuoso amenities for 2010 include a complimentary upgrade and late checkout (based on availability), daily breakfast for two, and an $85 spa credit.

For more information, contact Suzette Mack, Family Travel Specialist at suzette@family-treks.com.