Whereas Pebble Seaside and Bandon Dunes get many of the press devoted to West Coast, oceanfront golf resorts, you’d be doing your self a disservice to miss the Ritz-Carlton resort at Half Moon Bay. Positioned about an hour’s drive south of San Francisco, it’s a transportive expertise. That includes two golf programs with unbelievable oceanside surroundings, a beautiful resort that’s been referred to as the “most lovely resort” in California by Architectural Digest, and pleasant, attentive workers, the Ritz-Carlton goes the additional mile to ship a really luxurious and otherworldly getaway.
Golf
The Outdated Course, designed by legendary golfer and designer Arnold Palmer, opened in 1973. The American parkland-style golf course has an ideal routing that provides all kinds of wind instructions and checks each side of your sport. It culminates with one of the vital beautiful holes on the earth, the 405-yard par 4 18th. A slight left-to-right dogleg tailored for a child lower like Arnold himself used to hit, it’s perched atop the coastal cliffs with the ocean roaring under.
There’s a fire-pit patio above the 18th inexperienced, and resort company typically collect within the Adirondack chairs across the fireplace to look at golfers end their rounds. A birdie on the final will garner a pleasant spherical of applause! When the sundown approaches, a bagpiper takes to the grounds to serenade company and golfers alike, lending to the resort’s Outdated-World Scottish really feel.
The Ocean Course debuted in 1997, 4 years earlier than the beautiful luxurious resort was added to the property. Golfers will respect that the resort was a golf membership first and a resort second, as no concessions have been made within the golf programs’ constructing. Many resort programs function only one nice oceanside gap, however the remainder of the oceanfront property is reserved for housing. That’s not the case right here, as almost each gap options a gorgeous ocean view.
The Ocean Course is constantly ranked as one of many high 15 public programs. Arthur Hills designed it to evoke an old-school hyperlinks course, and it’s a masterpiece. The manicured tees, greens, and fairways give a distinctly upscale really feel to the course, however past the inexperienced oases are fantastically browned out native grass areas and dunes.
The stretch of holes 15-18 is among the most interesting crescendos you’ll discover wherever on the earth. All 4 run alongside the ocean, so that you’ll need to keep away from hooking the ball right into a watery grave. The par 3 seventeenth comes closest to the ocean, with the inexperienced perched atop a cliff. Faders of the ball might want to intention out over the ocean and hope they don’t double-cross – use your rangefinder to extend accuracy – although the winds blowing in normally assist steer the ball to security.
The tempo of play normally slows down on these final 4 holes, however nobody minds. It’s a time to benefit from the surroundings, pose for photos, and take within the majesty of the beautiful setting. The sixteenth gap, most likely the preferred spot for a photograph op, has been used many instances for commercials and engagement pics.
The course provides high-quality TaylorMade golf equipment for hire, and each tracks are designed for strolling. Skilled caddies can be found that can assist you navigate the idiosyncrasies of the fairways and greens. The one disadvantage is the shortage of a driving vary, however there’s a chipping and placing inexperienced out there for warming up.
The Resort
Simply say your identify as soon as on the best way in, and also you’ll be greeted warmly by the pleasant and attentive workers the remainder of your keep on the unbelievable resort resort. It’s greater than well worth the splurge for a fire-pit room, the place you possibly can loosen up in Adirondack chairs by yourself non-public terrace overlooking the breathtaking, panoramic ocean views. You’ll have the ability to make oceanfront smores because the solar goes down and bagpipes ring out all through the property. It’s a stunning mixture of beachfront tenting and 5-star luxurious, surrounded by a golf course that even junior golfers can benefit from.
Spa providers together with massages, facials, waxing, and an ever-changing, seasonally primarily based “secret spa menu” are provided on-site. There are three eating choices provided on the resort, every profiting from seasonal native delicacies to offer memorable experiences.
Navio is a refined seafood restaurant with elegant, ocean-inspired decor and menu. Saturday farmer’s markets and Sunday brunch spotlight weekly particular choices.
The Conservatory is a extra relaxed possibility, feeling extra like an upscale seashore home. Excessive-end consolation meals and intelligent craft cocktails spotlight the menu; the Casked Negroni is a selected standout.
However so long as the climate cooperates, the actual gem is the outside Ocean Terrace. Dotted with fireplace pits, cooled by oceanfront winds, and soundtracked by crashing waves, the Ocean Terrace is the right place to spend hours sampling from the craft beer and cocktail menu, uncooked bar, and grill. The sundown over the ocean and countless sky will linger in your reminiscence lengthy after your keep.
