San Francisco & Bay Area Weekend Trip

In early June I had the opportunity to return to my old stomping grounds, San Francisco!

This time, the purpose of this visit was to check out the recently completed renovations of the Ritz-Carlton hotels in San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, as well as discovering the St Regis hotel in the downtown/SOMA area.

I arrived in the city just in time for a delicious lunch at Parallel 37, the Ritz Carlton restaurant focused on California cuisine designed by head chef Michael Rotondo. The food is fresh, flavorful, light, yet filling. After lunch I toured the Ritz Carlton property. I was surprised by how great the hotel looks after its recent renovations! Gone are the days of the old stuffy décor; it remains upscale, but offers a younger, fresher look. The hotel feels like a fine upscale speakeasy experience, with fire places, live music, tasting rooms, and marble/wood décor to compliment the rest of trendy San Francisco. The Ritz’s location in Nob Hill is also perfect, as it is very central. You can walk to many attractions throughout the city, or you can hop on the cable car (stops right outside), which will take you to the Union Square or to the North Beach/Fisherman’s Wharf area, while passing through China Town.

In comparison, the St. Regis is located downtown off Market Street and next door to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The St. Regis has light spacious rooms with great service. Keeping up with St. Regis tradition, they have their evening champagne sabering for guests to watch and take notes!

The Grill Restaurant offers an outstanding menu with a variety of choices including amazing fresh seafood and mouthwatering steaks.

After a full day and evening in San Francisco, I headed down to the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay. MY OH MY! I would move to the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay in a heartbeat if I could. Having lived in San Francisco I had been to Half Moon Bay for various outings and festivities, so I knew I would enjoy my time here; but little did I know I would fall in love with the resort.

The resort is a bit removed from the downtown area of Half Moon Bay, which I thought would be a downside, but it made the stay even better. The hotel has a West Coast meets Scotland vibe. It is intimate, comfortable, beautiful, and ultimately relaxing. Perched above on a small cliff over-looking the Pacific Ocean, there is a walking path right in front of the property.

I highly recommend staying in a room that offers access to the club lounge. You can indulge in great wine (as much as you want!) and gourmet snacks in the lounge. You cannot go wrong here with a glass of wine in hand and a walk along the ocean path, or just enjoy the views from the lounge. The hotel offers a very relaxed setting that incorporates their surrounding exterior beach and nature setting perfectly into their interior design.

I also loved that hotel guests ranged from locals to international travelers; at times it made me feel like I was not in California! This hotel is the perfect getaway for couples, families, or anyone looking for a coastal escape. Sitting outside by the fire pits, feeling the ocean breeze, watching the sunset while listening to a bag pipe player, with a glass of wine in hand, of course, is the reason I want to live at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, or at least visit as often as I can!

Contact Courtney Grosvenor to learn more about how you can maximize your next San Francisco weekend trip here.