Plan Your Half Moon Bay Golf Trip in 60 Seconds
Two oceanfront 18s at the Ritz, 30 minutes from SFO
Half Moon Bay is the easiest big-time coastal golf trip in California — two clifftop courses at the Ritz-Carlton, fog-and-sun NorCal weather, and a quaint Main Street of breweries and seafood, all a half-hour from San Francisco. The 18th at the Old Course finishes on the bluff over the Pacific.
Spring, Summer, Fall
best season
Courses
Half Moon Bay Golf Links (Old Course)PremiumTOP 100 PUBLIC
Arnold Palmer/Francis Duane parkland layout that ends on a famous clifftop par-4 over the Pacific
$180–$295
Par 72 · 7,001 yds
coastal
Half Moon Bay Golf Links (Ocean Course)PremiumDESIGNER CLASSIC
Arthur Hills Scottish-style links hugging the bluffs — wind, ocean, and views on every hole
$170–$280
Par 72 · 6,649 yds
links
Crystal Springs Golf CourseSolid
Scenic course above the Crystal Springs Reservoir over the hill — tree-lined and quiet
$70–$130
Par 72 · 6,515 yds
parkland
Sharp Park Golf CourseSolidHIDDEN GEM
Alister MacKenzie seaside muni in Pacifica — a walkable, dirt-cheap bucket-list curiosity
$40–$75
Par 72 · 6,273 yds
links · walkable
Poplar Creek Golf CourseSolidBEST VALUE
San Mateo muni over the hill — walkable, affordable, and an easy second round
$45–$85
Par 70 · 5,900 yds
parkland · walkable
Where to Stay
houseSleeps 8–14
$500–$1,800 /night
Half Moon Bay, El Granada, or Montara — coastal homes minutes from the courses and Main Street
hot tubfireplaceocean viewsfull kitchendecksnear beach
resort houseSleeps 8–16
$500–$1,100 /night
The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay — clifftop resort with both courses on property
on-site golfspafire pitsrestaurantsocean viewstee-time access
Dining
Sam's Chowder House
$$$seafoodOceanfront seafood with a famous lobster roll and a big deck — the group seafood dinner
4.5★Navio at the Ritz-Carlton
$$$$upscaleResort fine dining with Pacific views — the splurge dinner on property
4.5★Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
$$brewpubHarbor brewpub with a fire-pit patio and live music — easy, group-friendly post-round
4.4★Pasta Moon
$$$italianMain Street Italian with handmade pasta — a reliable dinner for a crew
4.5★Nightlife
Old Princeton Landing
Late nightdiveHarbor dive and live-music joint by Mavericks — locals, cold beer, and zero pretense
Half Moon Bay Brewing Co. Bar
brewpubHarbor taproom with fire pits — the main group hang after golf
The Ritz Conservatory Lounge
Late nightcocktailClifftop resort lounge with ocean views and s'mores at the fire pits — sunset drinks
Cameron's Pub
Late nightpatioBritish pub with a double-decker bus out front and a beer garden — fun group stop
Activities
Deep Sea Fishing / Whale Watch
fishinghalf day$80–$160/pp
Rockfish, salmon, and crab out of Pillar Point Harbor — charters handle full crews
Mavericks Coast Boat Tour
boat rental2-3 hours$60–$130/pp
Cruise past the legendary Mavericks big-wave break and the bluffs — scenic morning
Coastal Horseback Ride
horseback2-3 hours$80–$140/pp
Beach horseback rides on the Half Moon Bay sand — a different rest-day move
Sur La Mer / Coastal Brewery Run
brewery2-3 hours$30–$70/pp
Hit the harbor breweries and Main Street taprooms on arrival day
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