Posted on Jul 22, 2009 under Archives |
Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay
On my way up to San Francisco for a coastal getaway article I was lucky enough to stop off at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay. Since my friend Jennfier Chiesea (former pr director of Ritz in Pasadena) moved up to Half Moon Bay as PR Director for the resort I have wanted to come for a visit.
Perched on the edge of the gleaming Pacific, the glamorous golf and spa resort houses 261 white and pale yellow rooms and suites with marble bathrooms, feather beds, fireplaces and ocean views. Guests can enjoy the sweeping vistas of the coastline from the 16,000 square foot spa, fitness center or at the three restaurants.
The view from my room was stunning. Pics below:
View from my room
Bathroom
I received a lovely strawberry and chocolate tower after I checked into the room.
Yummy chocolate and strawberry tower
Strawberry from tower, with cream
chocolate strawberry, my favorite
Strawberry mousse
The resort has a wonderful dining room where the Navio restaurant is where I had dinner my first night. I started with a crab salad with avocado cream, watercress and a red wine reduction.
Crab salad
Next I had short ribs with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Both were delicious.
Short ribs, potatoes and asparagus
The resort also houses two golf courses, the Old and Ocean Courses. The long and demanding Old Course (7,104 yards) is a parkland-style course lined by Cypress trees. The links-style Ocean Course (6,700 yards) offers ocean views from every hole and three finishing holes that sit directly on the Pacific Ocean. The resort offers an unlimited golf package where golfers can play till they drop from check-in to checkout.
On the course
The next morning I attended the Sunday brunch, pics in next post.
Posted on Jul 21, 2009 under Archives |
strawberry fields sign
As I was driving to the Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay, I came across this sign. I had to check it out.
strawberry fields
I found a huge lot with hundreds of rows of fresh strawberries. It only cost $1 to pick a big basket, so I went to work.
hundreds of strawberries
strawberries on the vines, ready to pick
Lots of other people drove up the dirt road to get some of the fresh strawberries.
people picking strawberries
Here is what I ended up with, the best strawberries I have ever had. Well worth the stop!
Really fresh strawberries
Posted on Jul 21, 2009 under Archives |
Monterey Bay Aquarium
During my big driving trip to cover a coastal getaway story, I was on my way from Pebble Beach to Half Moon Bay and decided to stop off at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Located on the site of a former cannery on Cannery Row in Monterey, it is the second largest aquarium in the world, holding over 35,000 plants and animals.
I was lucky to visit just after the “Secret Lives of Seahorses” exhibit opened.
Secret Lives of Seahorses exhibit
The exhibit features more than 15 species of seahorses, sea dragons, pipe horses and pipe fish. Here are some pics of the cute creatures:
Baby seahorses
seahorses
The aquarium is huge. My favorite part was a million gallon tank which features one of the largest single-paned windows in th world. On exhibit in the tank are stingrays, jellyfish, otters, giant kelp, sharks and other sealife. Here are a few pics:
one million gallon tank
scary eel
Shark
big orange fish
The aquarium also has a second floor outside terrace area that offers beautiful ocean views.
Outside view
On my way out I caught two animals waiting for their close up – here are pics:
Otter
Penguin
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Cannery Row, 110 miles south of San Francisco, 330 miles north of Los Angeles, open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, tickets range from $18 to $30.
Posted on Jul 21, 2009 under Archives |
Hole 7 at the Lodge at Pebble Beach
My stay at Pebble Beach Resorts ended with a visit to the infamous Lodge at Pebble Beach. Golfers around the world plan trips here years in advance just to walk and play on the same greens as legends Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
The Lodge at Pebble Beach
The entrance to the Lodge is next to the putting green and shops.
Lodge at Pebble Beach putting green
Adjacent to the green is a wall of past winners and history about the resort and course.
history of lodge sign
The Lodge overlooks the famous course and dramatic ocean surf. The 161 luxury suites and rooms feature Jacuzzi tubs, wood-burning fireplaces and oversized baths. The Lodge also offers four restaurants, an equestrian center and a full-service spa and salon. My room was situated in front of the most famous hole in golf, the 18th.
Famous 18th hole
I enjoyed sitting outside on my patio and watching all the golfers enjoy playing on the famous course.
If you can’t afford the steep nightly rate to stay at the Lodge, make a stop on your way up the coast to have a drink or appetizers at the Lodge’s lobby, where arched windows frame magnificent ocean views.