Dining Guide
Dining SUGGESTED RESTAURANTS IN THE HALF MOON BAY AREA By the Fellows of Estes Park Institute Welcome to Half Moon Bay! Following is a list of restaurants available in the area developed from personal experience, internet research, and press reviews. It is by no means a complete list of all the fine restaurants in the Half Moon Bay area, but just a few to entice your appetite. Please verify information when making a reservation as it is subject to change. Thank you for selecting this Estes Park Institute conference. We sincerely hope you enjoy Half Moon Bay and your conference experience. 1
Dining Dining at THE RITZ-CARLTON, HALF MOON BAY The following restaurants are located in The Ritz-Carlton. For reservations or information, call 650-712-7040 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/properties/halfmoonbay/dining. Navio Enjoy Bay Area dining at its finest while overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Navio. Savor a taste of the sea at its most authentic and bathe in the aromas from the restaurant s smoky, wood-fire oven. Here, you ll find the region s freshest ocean cuisine. Breathtaking ocean vistas and an open air kitchen set the scene for a unique fine dining experience. Delight in Navio's renowned Sunday Brunch (reservations are a must!), named Best in the Bay Area by San Francisco Magazine and Best in Silicon Valley by the editors of San Jose Mercury News. Strongly Breakfast: 6:30 am 11:00 am, Monday thru Saturday Lunch: Noon 2:00 pm, Saturday Dinner: 6:00 pm 9:00 pm, Wednesday thru Sunday Sunday Brunch: Noon 3:00 pm The Ocean Terrace Enjoy alfresco dining overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Sit back and listen to the crashing waves while you enjoy your drink of choice and light bites perfect for sharing. No Noon Sunset, Daily (weather permitting) The Conservatory Experience the epitome of relaxed oceanfront dining while enjoying comfortable furnishings and floor-toceiling ocean views. The Conservatory serves contemporary American light fare and entrées and locally inspired cocktails. No 11:00 am 11:00 pm, Daily Sunday Breakfast: 7:00 am 11:00 am ENO ENO is an upscale wine bar offering flights of wines as well as wine by the glass, along with light fare. Sommeliers specialize in introducing guests to new and interesting wines and educating them on every aspect of wines, wineries, and varietals. Enjoy a custom-built wine room with breathtaking ocean views. No 4:00 pm 10:00 pm, Wednesday thru Friday 3:00 pm 10:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday Closed Monday and Tuesday To plan a private dining event in one of the hotel s banquet rooms, please call 650-712-7677. 2
Dining Barbara s Fish Trap 281 Capistrano Road Half Moon Bay 650-728-7049 www.barbarasfishtrap.com Daily fish specials round out a menu of fresh seafood dishes at this casual, funky spot on the pier in Princeton-by-the-Sea. It is cash only. No 11:00 am 8:30 pm, Sunday thru Thursday 11:00 am 9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday Half Moon Bay Brewing Company 390 Capistrano Road Half Moon Bay 650-728-2739 www.hmbbrewingco.com The Brewing Company gets rave reviews for its brews but very mixed reviews on its menu of seafood and burgers. Lively atmosphere. 11:00 am 9:00 pm, Monday thru Thursday 11:00 am Close, Friday 10:00 am Close, Saturday and Sunday Cetrella 845 Main Street Half Moon Bay 650-726-4090 www.cetrella.com/cetrella-half-moon-bay Looking for a restaurant to celebrate that very special occasion? Cetrella has the quiet dining room, the woodburning fireplace, Mediterranean menu, stellar desserts, and extensive wine cellar to make the evening special. Features live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. 5:30 pm 9:00 pm, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday 5:30 pm 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday Closed Monday and Tuesday Flavor 260 Capistrano Road Half Moon Bay 650-726-8000 www.flavoronthecoast.com Comfort food with a harbor view! Flavor is the place for mac and cheese, a burger, or chicken pot pie. The restaurant s décor is not its strong point, but who cares with such a beautiful view. Dinner: 4:00 pm 9:00 pm, Daily Brunch/Lunch: 10:00 am 3:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday It s Italia 401 Main Street Half Moon Bay 650-726-4444 www.itsitaliarestaurant.com It s Italia is located in the Half Moon Bay Inn in the center of downtown Half Moon Bay. The restaurant features brick-oven pizzas and traditional pasta dishes. Outdoor dining is available in the courtyard on warm evenings. 11:30 am 9:30 pm, Monday thru Thursday 11:30 am 10:00 pm, Friday 11:00 am 10:00 pm, Saturday 11:00 am 9:00 pm, Sunday La Costanera 8150 Cabrillo Highway Montara Beach 650-728-1600 www.lacostanerarestaurant.com Located in Montara Beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean, La Costanera opened in fall 2009. This Peruvian restaurant has seafood at the heart of its menu. Ceviche is the most popular dish and paella also shines. Many patrons make a dinner by sharing a sampling of starters. The ocean view is spectacular. 5:00 pm 9:00 pm, Tuesday thru Thursday and Sunday 5:00 pm 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday Closed Monday 3
Dining Mezzaluna Italian Restaurant 459 Prospect Way Half Moon Bay 650-728-8108 www.mezzalunabythesea.com Mezzaluna s Southern Italian menu features a long list of pastas and pizzas as well as fresh seafood and meat dishes. It is situated in Princeton-by-the-Sea near the Mavericks surf area. It earned the 2014 Diner s Choice award from Open Table. Lunch: 11:30 am 2:30 pm, Monday thru Friday Dinner: 5:00 pm 9:30 pm, Monday thru Thursday 5:00 pm 10:00 pm, Friday 11:30 am 10:00 pm, Saturday 11:30 am 9:30 pm, Sunday Miramar Beach Restaurant 131 Mirada Road Half Moon Bay 650-726-9053 www.miramarbeachrestaurant.com Separated from the Pacific Ocean by only a frontage road, Miramar Beach Restaurant offers breathtaking ocean views to accompany a menu of seafood, steaks, and pastas. The patios have fire pits for year-round outdoor dining. Noon 9:00 pm, Monday thru Friday 11:30 am 9:00 pm, Saturday 11:00 am 9:00, Sunday Moss Beach Distillery Restaurant 140 Beach Way Moss Beach 650-728-5595 www.mossbeachdistillery.com An oceanfront dining venue, Moss Beach Distillery comes with its own ghost, The Blue Lady. It is located in an historic building on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It received Open Table s 2015 Diner s Choice awards for Best Ambiance, Scenic View, and Brunch. And on the Bay Area A-List, it was voted Best Romantic Restaurant and ranked number two for Best Waterfront and Best Seafood. Enjoy! Noon 8:30 pm, Monday thru Thursday Noon 9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 11:00 am 8:30 pm, Sunday Sunday Brunch: 11:00 am 2:00 pm Pasta Moon 315 Main Street Half Moon Bay 650-726-5125 www.pastamoon.com When it was founded 28 years ago, Pasta Moon committed to supporting local farmers, fisherman, and gourmet artisans. It continues that commitment today. The California-Italian menu changes with the season to highlight the freshest seafood, meat, and produce. The restaurant has received numerous awards and ratings from local newspapers and travel guides. Lunch: 11:30 am 2:00 pm, Monday thru Friday Noon 3:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday Dinner: 5:30 pm 9:00 pm, Sunday thru Thursday 5:30 pm 9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday Sam s Chowder House 4210 Cabrillo Highway North Half Moon Bay 650-712-0245 www.samschowderhouse.com Since its founding in 2006, Sam s Chowder house has won many restaurant awards including Top Three Outdoor Dining Spots in the Bay Area. Located on a cliff overlooking the Pacific, panoramic ocean views are easy to come by. Savor fresh fish, crab, lobster, or oysters and clams on the half shell. 11:30 am 9:00 pm, Monday thru Thursday 11:30 am 9:30 pm, Friday 11:00 am 9:30 pm, Saturday 11:00 am 9:00 pm, Sunday Via Uno Cucina Italiana and Bar 2810 Cabrillo Highway North Half Moon Bay 650-560-8858 www.viaunorestaurant.com The owners are champions of the Italian Slow Food Movement; therefore, they serve a farm-to-table menu of locally sourced meats, seafood, and produce. Their pastas are topped with flavorful sauces, and their selection of Neapolitan pizzas includes something for everyone. Outdoor seating is available. Lunch: 11:00 am 3:00 pm, Monday thru Thursday Dinner: 5:00 pm 9:30 pm, Monday thru Thursday 11:00 am 10:00 pm, Friday thru Sunday 4
ENTERTAINMENT Weather Average Temperatures in October Highs in the mid 60s; lows in the mid 40s Golf The Ocean Course Ranked among the top courses in California and designed by renowned golf architect Arthur Hills in traditional Scottish style, this course is complemented by the natural terrain of the rugged Northern California coast. With prevailing ocean winds, tight fairways and knolls, the course offers a challenging and enjoyable test for golfers, with Pacific Ocean views from every hole. The Old Course Originally designed by Francis Duane and Arnold Palmer in 1973 and redesigned by Arthur Hills in 1999, this Parkland-style course has a home hole that plays next to the ocean waves. Cypress trees line the fairways and surround these generous, yet challenging, greens. 650-726-1800 www.ritzcarlton.com/en/properties/halfmoonbay/golf Tennis Six Courts The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is among the world s finest tennis destinations and was named one of Tennis Magazine s Top 50 U.S. Tennis Resorts. Enjoy complimentary tennis amenities such as tennis rackets, tennis balls, and ball machine. Private or group lessons are available with reservations. There is also a daily tennis clinic. 650-712-7663 www.ritzcarlton.com/en/properties/halfmoonbay/tennis Spa and Fitness The Ritz-Carlton Spa offers a complete range of services for body, mind, and spirit, featuring 16 treatment rooms, gentlemen and ladies' lounges with sauna, steam room, whirlpool, candlelit co-ed Roman mineral bath with Tsunami showers, and more. The Ritz-Carlton Salon offers a full menu of services for men and women. The fitness center offers state-of-the-art cardio and weight training equipment, a variety of free-standing weight machines, and daily aerobics classes. Guests have 24-hour access with room key. 650-712-7040 www.ritzcarlton.com/en/properties/halfmoonbay/spa 5
ENTERTAINMENT Shopping Half Moon Bay offers world-class shopping with the feel of a small-town, rural location and relaxing atmosphere. With an endless variety of unique individual shops, there s something for everyone. www.halfmoonbayshops.com Half Moon Bay District Regions Half Moon Bay consists of five distinct regions that combine to make it a diverse and unique destination experience: Historic Main Street Nestled within the picturesque town of Half Moon Bay, Historic Main Street offers year-round sightseeing, shops, restaurants, and galleries. The Pumpkin Region This is California farm-to-market country, where motorists can pick their own produce from the bounty of pumpkin patches and local farms that make the area a foodie s dream. California s Redwood Forest Close to Half Moon Bay lies the awe-inspiring Redwood Forest, shaded by a magnificent, mystical canopy of ancient California Redwood trees. Santa Cruz Mountains This scenic and dramatic mountain range offers tastes from more than 70 of the state s distinct wineries. Thomas Fogarty Winery is a favorite (www.fogartywinery.com). Pacific Coast View the spectacular coast in front of The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, where some of the largest winter surf in the world is recorded each year. Activities and Excursions Half Moon Bay Signature Drive The Signature Drive is your travel guide to some of America s most magnificent vistas. The drive encompasses the five distinct regions in and around Half Moon Bay. Complimentary maps of The Signature Drive are available from the hotel concierge. www.ritzcarlton.com/en/properties/halfmoonbay/recreation/signaturedrive.htm Segway Tours An exhilarating new kind of touring with the use of individual Segway Personal Transporters for guided rides along the resort s Northern California coastal trail. 650-712-7040 www.ritzcarlton.com/en/properties/halfmoonbay/recreation/segway.htm 6
ENTERTAINMENT Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Reserve The centerpiece of this 4,711 acre preserve is Purisima Creek Canyon, home to towering redwoods. The Preserve includes 24 miles of developed trails and historical logging roads, providing the opportunity for an easy walk or a more challenging hike or ride. 650-691-1200 www.openspace.org/preserves/pr_purisima.asp Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Region The Santa Cruz Mountains region is home to more than 70 wineries. You ll find the Northern California scenery as spectacular as the award-winning, handcrafted wine you can sample on tasting tours along the way. For more information on the Santa Cruz Mountain wineries and wine tasting tours, please visit the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association at www.scmwa.com or call 831-685-8463. Sea Horse Ranch Experience Northern California s scenic coastline on horseback. Enjoy spectacular views and crisp ocean air on a guided trail and beach ride. 1828 Cabrillo Highway North Half Moon Bay 650-726-9903 www.seahorseranch.org For information about additional area recreation and activities, please contact The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay concierge at 650-712-7601 or visit: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/properties/halfmoonbay/destination/attractions or www.visithalfmoonbay.org 7 9-17-15