The scenic drive to Half Moon Bay from San Francisco along Hwy 1 provides a much-needed nature infusion for urbanites, particularly when the RITZ-CARLTON HALF MOON BAY awaits with its idyllic location perched on a bluff just above the Pacific. The remarkable service and acute attention to detail is reason enough for a visit, but the hotel’s latest addition to its culinary repertoire, The Conservatory, makes a quick trip to the coast a must this winter. New Head Chef Mike Riddell orchestrates an innovative menu representative of the restaurant’s commitment to featuring fresh, organic, and community-grown ingredients in every dish.

Be sure to try its traditional interpretation of clam chowder, a local favorite that rivals any East Coast version. The Conservatory’s full bar specializes in homegrown cocktails crafted from its very own live growing wall (still searching for the right title for this new breed of bartender/ horticuIturalist)! Time your visit just right and you’ll be graced with the soothing sounds of a lone bagpiper saluting the setting sun—just one of the multitude of unique amenities that continues to earn the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay.