I have an upcoming conference at the Ritz Carlton here and will have a vehicle to tour around in my spare time. Do you recommend any sights, tours, "things" I should see? Looking forward to your suggestions!

How much spare time will you have? Hours, 1/2 days?

You could drive CA-1 north up to Pacifica or the San Francisco coast or CA-1 south to any one of the state parks.

IMO, there are not a lot of "things" to do in Half Moon Bay except to relax. Maybe somebody more familiar with HMB can help more.

check out this page for more ideas...

http://www.halfmoonbaychamber.org

I haven't stayed there, but we drove up to have a look on our way through. It's gorgeous with a great ocean overlook and nearby golf links.

Personally, I would try the Co-ed Roman mineral bath.

The Santa Cruz Mountains are wonderful and have great state parks including Big Basin State Park - Accessable from the ocean or the Mountains, Butano State Park, and Henry Cowell. Also the Santa Cruz Mountain Wine Region is wonderful - you can tour it starting in Half Moon Bay by going up Hwy 92 to Skyline Blvd - following Skyline Blvd South all the way to Hwy 9 or Hwy 17, and then into Santa Cruz finally looping back. Wineries along this way (and a few that detour just a dozen miles off this route) include Thomas Fogarty, Byington, David Bruce, Savannah Chanelle, Storrs, Bonny Doon etc...

Check out: http://www.scmwa.com/wineries.htm
For the list and a map

There are also some great beachcombing beaches south of Half Moon Bay if that interests you. And some really good bird watching at Pescadero marsh, which is right by the town of Pescadero.

The Fioli Estate is also close by, which you can tour.

Thanks for all your help. I guess it was a bit vague, my request. I will be going in early November and will have one day extra beyond the conference. I have already travelled the coast albeit 10 years ago and have visited San Francisco. My conference mentions something about a redwood forest tour??

The two Redwood Forests that come to mind are Big Basin State Park and Muir Woods. BB is probably a 45 minute drive south on Hwy 1. Muir Woods is north of San Fran so you would have to drive through the city and over the GG bridge and then another half hour or so. Kind of a haul, although once there it is a very manageable park.

Filoli Estate is about a half hour drive and is gorgeous, but I'm doubtful that it is such a highlight of the area that one would spend their only day there.

Santa Cruz is about a half hour drive south and at the yacht harbor you can get a ride on the Chardonnay, as 70' sailing yacht. It's a two hour sail and they serve a little snack and wine or softer drinks... If you have never been on a boat like this, it's a nice opportunity. I believe you can go to www.chardonnay.com for reservations.

Honestly, The Ritz is the main attraction!