Attractions

Experience California's most treasured water sport and learn how to surf at one of the resort's local beaches, "Surfer Beach." The resort offers private, group and corporate lessons for all ages and skill levels. Learn about ocean safety, surfing etiquette, wave conditions, and how to control your surfboard. It's a lifetime opportunity to catch a wave and ride on top of the world...or at least three feet above it.

Forty-foot waves, dangerous reefs and treacherous waters all sound like the perfect formula for one of the world’s best annual Big Wave surf competitions. Join us for a tour of the spot hundreds of thousands flock to, once a year, to see some of the world’s greatest big wave surfers. This short but lovely walk will
take you to the bluffs of Pillar point, and offer views of Mavericks, home to the yearly Mavericks Surf Competition.

The Preserve is located on the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking Half Moon Bay. The centerpiece of this 3,120 acre preserve is Purisima Creek Canyon, home to towering redwoods. The Preserve includes 21 miles of developed trails and historical loggings roads, which provide opportunities for easy walks or long, strenuous hikes and/or rides. Guests find
wheelchair-accessible picnic tables and restrooms along this flat, easy route.

Get close to the majestic Grey whales as they migrate south to warmer waters on this fantastic cruise. Though actually black in color, the whales acquire their color with the help of barnacles attached to their skin, giving them a grey appearance. Boats depart from Princeton harbor and venture 10 to 15 miles away from shore
and toward the migratory paths of these majestic mammals. Whale season begins mid December and ends in March. Bring your binoculars and enjoy the sight of one of the world’s largest mammals.

Not everyone gets a view of Mavericks from the convenience of a boat, but you do! Come see the Mavericks surf competition, held once a year, from our chartered boat and view awe-inspiring, 40-foot waves and the brave souls who dare to take them on. This tour is only offered once a year, and is on a 48-hour notice between January 1 and March 31, 2007. (This extreme surf experience is not for everyone; guests participating on the chartered excursion should be aware of the extreme conditions of this surfing contest. In-house guests may request to be notified if the contest will be taking place during their stay and opt to join at that time.)

From yoga to spinning, our instructors will help you stay fit and re-energize your body. Fitness programs are available for private instruction or groups. There are also daily group exercises available in the Spa and Colony Club, included in your Resort Fee. Please check schedules for class times, which are available at The Spa on the second floor.

With an elevation of over 1,800 feet, on a clear day it feels as if you can see forever. With crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean just at the foot of Montara Mountain, this is definitely the place to be for sweeping views of the beautiful Coastside.

Bike rides start from The Ritz-Carlton and travel north along the Half Moon Bay coastline. Guides provide insightful information about the coast and the history of Half Moon Bay. Included are 21-speed mountain bikes, a map, bottled water
and protective gear.

With wondrous landscapes and sweeping fields of grass, walking through Año Nuevo State Park offers visitors the escape they need from the everyday grind. Join us on a six mile hike to the edge of the park, where sea lions have taken over the small island where the “fog whistler” once took residence. Come stretch your legs on this beautiful hike through meadows and coastline, and don’t forget to bring your camera.

Upgrades to the tennis programs include a new, deluxe ball machine, and a variety of improvements to the six outdoor, lighted hard courts. The tennis facilities and programs at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay are directed by Kevin Harrington of Peter Burwash International, the world’s largest tennis management
firm. We have a twelve-foot hitting wall, “great for training,” and padded light posts and retaining walls to ensure safety. Tennis rackets, tennis balls, a backboard and a ball machine are all available for our guests at the Colony Club front desk or the tennis pavilion. Clinics are offered weekly. Private, semi-private, and group lessons are available to guests at anytime with reservations. For any further questions regarding the tennis programs at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, please contact Kevin Harrington at (650) 712-7663.

New to The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay recreation program in 2007, guests are invited to enjoy the Coastside from the comfort of an exciting Segway. The Segway is a self-balancing, personal transportation device, useable on any pedestrian walkway. These remarkable machines allow guests to effortlessly stop and go as they please without the worry of missing a single sight. Don’t miss your opportunity to ride one of these stylish and fun Segways on your next visit. Choose from three exciting tours: Harbor/Coast, Downtown Half Moon Bay, and on-property.

Tours are available to guests over 12 years of age. A formal training
session is included at the beginning of the tour to become familiar with the controls of
the Segway.

Do you fancy a ride on the beach and be only feet from the Pacific Ocean? Then Sea Horse Ranch has just the ride for you! Ride along the trail that hugs the coast and offers spectacular views of not just the beach, but California landscape and Princeton Harbor. Keep your eyes peeled for the migrating whales in the months of January through March, and don’t forget to look up and spot a red-tailed hawk hovering in place as it searches for it’s next meal.

 

Depart from Princeton Harbor and set sail for the Pacific blue for a memorable fishing excursion. Explore our wonderful waters and the fish that call it home. After the day's catch, guests may head to Princeton Seafood Company to enjoy beverages and appetizers while their fish is prepared and cooked for dinner.

Take in some of Northern California's scenic coastal vistas atop a Tennessee walking horse. Enjoy a breathtaking ride through some of California's untouched rugged terrain, enchanting hills and grassland meadows. Blue Sky  Ranch offers the only herd of Tennessee walkers on the coast available for trail riding.