Respite at Half Moon Bay

Posted by on May 17, 2011 in Essays, Photography, Puzzler, Travel | 9 Comments

First, a note of apology to my followers: I’m sorry for being woefully overdue for a photo posting. Thanks to all who expressed well wishes and support during my absence! The past month has been fraught with business travel, long hours at the office, a freak visit to the ER, overseeing a mega school project by my 6th grader, and the list goes on. Okay, enough grousing. So amid all the chaos, I squeezed in a great photo opportunity and well-deserved respite on the terrace and grounds near The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, California—thanks to my dear friend Lee Brown @ADayNotWasted.

Atop a steep bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the swanky Ritz-Carlton property and surrounding golf courses create an idyllic landscape along the rugged shoreline of Half Moon Bay, about 30 miles southwest of San Francisco. The steep cliffs and weathered rock featured in the photos below are a testament to the forces of nature. The entire San Mateo County shoreline endured the fury of El Niño during the winter of 1982-83. Heavy surf and rains eroded these Northern California beaches and adjacent sea cliffs, resulting in damaging landslides. But the evening we visited Half Moon Bay was pastoral and quiet—a lovely interlude to our busy lives. I hope you enjoy these photos.

PHOTO CHALLENGE: There’s a five-dollar iTunes gift certificate in the offing to the first reader who can correctly identify the colorful vegetation atop the bluff in the photo directly below. Please send your answer via my Contact page or Twitter DM @RamblingsCW.

Rugged shoreline of Miramontes Point, Half Moon Bay, CA

Colorful vegetated cliff tops, Miramontes Point, Half Moon Bay, CA


Half Moon Bay as seen from Ritz-Carlton

Half Moon Bay as seen from the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton


The rocky shores of Half Moon Bay consist of fine-grain metamorphic rock (Franciscan Complex)

The rocky shores of Half Moon Bay consist of fine-grain metamorphic rock (Franciscan Complex)

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9 Comments

  1. Jim Denham
    May 18, 2011

    Good to see you back Chris! Wonderful images from the Ritz! What a beautiful view!

    Reply
  2. A.Barlow
    May 18, 2011

    One of the places I have been meaning to go, and yet still never have. Really nice shots. Oh, and props for using the word “grousing” 🙂
    A.Barlow recently posted..Adrift In The MistMy Profile

    Reply
  3. J. Wray
    May 18, 2011

    Love your blog post and beautiful photos! The siting of the lovely Ritz-Carlton me very much of a beautiful hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Cornwall, England.

    Reply
  4. Chris Kenison
    May 18, 2011

    Great set of shots! Really like that middle shot, Chris!
    Chris Kenison recently posted..Far AwayMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Toad Hollow Photography
    May 18, 2011

    LOVE your work Chris! Today’s blog post is absolutely top drawer, and the images are without peer! That second one with the rambling fence line there, what a scene you’ve created!! Really great to see some of your work here today, thanks so much for posting!
    Toad Hollow Photography recently posted..St Mary The VirginMy Profile

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  6. Jan Winther
    May 18, 2011

    The first shot is killer!! Looks like a fun place to shoot.
    Jan Winther recently posted..What do you see…My Profile

    Reply
  7. Ryan Sexton
    May 19, 2011

    Great set of shots, they are so beautiful.
    Ryan Sexton recently posted..Magic Kingdom’s Main StreetMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Brad Leyten
    May 21, 2011

    They are all beautifully composed by my fav is the second one. I love the way the wooden fence is running through the foreground, beautiful work! Thanks for sharing!!
    Brad Leyten recently posted..Flyin’ High At The CarnivalMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Jacques
    August 24, 2011

    Great shots! Beautiful place.

    Reply

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