The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay: Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World

Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay sits aside the Pacific Ocean.
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Quick Facts

  • Number of Rooms

    261
  • Amenities

    Spa / tennis / fitness center / swimming/ surfing
  • Number of courses

    2
  • Course designers

    The Old Course (Arnold Palmer-Francis Duane, Arthur Hills redesign), The Ocean Course (Arthur Hills)

Resort Overview

During Prohibition, the hidden coves and thick fog around Half Moon Bay provided cover for both Canadian rum runners and local moonshine bootleggers. Today, the town’s towering cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean house one of the most visually stunning course/hotel combos on the West Coast. Half Moon Bay Golf Links’ Ocean Course holds favor with resort golfers, beguiling players with ocean views from nearly every hole. Water use was cut in half a few years ago and the fescue was left to grow between and around holes. The resulting fast and firm playing conditions bring the ground game into play on numerous holes. In stark contrast, the neighboring Old Course is a traditional Northern California parkland design that demands an all-out aerial assault from tee to green. Its famed par-4 18th hole plays over a barranca into green snuggled just below the hotel’s firepit terrace. Half Moon Bay’s unofficial tagline is “fire and wine.” Guests in search of the full immersion splurge on an ocean-view terrace warmed by fire pits.

Highlights

EXPERIENCE

Extravagant ocean views

PLAY

Both courses feature stunning finishing holes along the coast

EXPERIENCE

Beautiful setting for surfing for everyone from beginner to expert

3 things to know

  • Best time to go

    Summer
  • Best non-golf amenity

    Ocean terrace overlooking the Pacific ocean, with bar
  • Insider Tip

    Head down to the fire pits at night for s’mores and a cocktail
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