Half Moon Bay, CA questions- wineries, restaurants, beaches
 

We've planned a "girls trip" to Half Moon Bay Ritz Carlton Labor Day weekend to celebrate a milestone birthday. I'm looking for suggestions for wineries, restaurants, and shopping in the area. Also, do you have a favorite beach area? I know the list in endless, but I'm not familiar with this area at all, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

you know the beaches are likely to be cold, right?

For restaurants - (assuming you have a car)
For casual - Cameron's Pub is just up the road and has a big sports bar int he front and tables int he back., Excellent pub food, pizza, and an amazing selection of beers form around the world. Cameron himself is a trip - runs this fakey English pub and a local landmark.

For fancier, Mezzaluna at Pillar Point harbor is a lovely Italian restaurant with good service and delectable food. Desserts are awesome.

A bit of a drive in Pescadero is Duarte's, famous for cream of artichoke soup and seafood. Expect a wait.

Thank you mztery for your suggestions. Fortunately, we will have a car, so driving to different areas won't be a problem. I wasn't for sure about the water temps, but I thought it would be on the chilly side. We are mainly interested it "seeing" the beach rather than swimming anyway.

If you make the trip to Duarte's, you must at least share a slice of ollalieberry pie!

In addition to the above suggestions, for casual: Barbara's Fishtrap at Pillar Point; for more upscale, Cetrella in HMB and of, course Navio at the Ritz.

Other than some antique stores and craft stores in HMB, I don't think of HMB as a "shopping" destination. As far as beaches, from Pillar Point south, that stretch of the coast is full of wind swept, dune sort of beaches all the way to Ano Nuevo.

A couple of weeks ago we stopped by that Ritz-Carlton for lunch on our way to Monterey. Our table was right on a window, so we had a good view of the grounds, a little section of the golf course and the water's edge. Aside from a couple of people in short sleeves, everyone was pretty well bundled up, with coats, hoodies, etc.

While we were in that area, temps were from the mid-50s to mid-60s, and I don't recall seeing anyone in the water without a wet suit.

My ole college buddy and his wife live right next to the Ritz, and last fall - after watching Notre Dame play at Stanford, we drove over the hill and had a late night snack/good wine at one of the cute places in downtown Half Moon Bay, which I believe was what SAB recommended - Catrella. http://www.cetrella.com/

The next morning - they fixed a great breakfast for moi - so I/we didn't go to the hearlded brunch at the Ritz, but they do on special occasions and said it was very good.

There are other places in the cute little town also, as well as outside in some of the smaller beach towns.

And in Sep - you could have beautiful weather at the beach - but take along a few blankets just in case. :)

Hey - I went in the ocean all the time when I lived in the Bay Area - but I am part Polar Bear. Double :) Loved Stinson Beach also.

Sam's Chowder House for good food and spectacular views, right on the ocean.

Second Cetrella.

Can't swim at Ana Nuevo, but lovely to walk.

Thank you for all your suggestions.

What about wineries? Someone suggested Thomas Fogarty in Woodside although it looked a little too far when I checked the map? Also, Barta in HMB? Would love to see Santa Cruz area, but just not sure of time allowances. We only have 2 full days. Thoughts?

I don't think shopping in HMB will take more than 1 hr.

I would go to Filoli gardens & mansion instead of a winery (there aren't many near by). Filoli is less than 30 mins from the Ritz Carlton.
http://www.filoli.org/?gclid=CKaZ5tncvbECFSUbQgodIk0AYg

Stu Dudley

It is a pretty drive - mostly along the Coast - from HMB to Santa Cruz - if you have the time.