70 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM kick back coastside visithalfmoonbay.org PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF CARLA PEÑA / COURTESY OF RON STARR “evokes the spirit of the West Coast and is in dialogue with contemporary fine art movements.” Come back every month or two for new exhibitions. If you believe in the magic of books, find your way to Ink Spell Books, a beloved local bookstore that recently moved to a larger location. Locate it between the Ocean Blue Vault art gallery and the verdant Garden Apothecary and take your time perusing the shelves. Don’t miss time-tested favorites like Jupiter and Main, Juno’s Little Mercantile and Abode before you wind your way back over Route 92 for home. No need to rush back? Bask in HMB’s full glory at The Ritz-Carlton, where grand stonework and lofty architecture give the impression of Hogwarts at the ocean. Perched along the sea cliffs, the hotel presents coastal views, along with vistas of the rolling green hills of the Half Moon Bay Golf Links. The on-site spa will lift the tension with massages, body wraps and facials, but expect your room to also feel like a zen experience with soothing neutral colors, geode wall art and a large luxurious tub. Notch up the coziness factor by selecting soothing music and cricket sounds on the bedside stereo, then turning the TV to the fireplace channel. Poke {due west} your head out of your room at dusk when the resident bagpiper takes to the cliffs and sends off the sun sinking into the sea. As the moon rises, retreat to the cozy indoors for an on-site dinner at The Conservatory. Standouts include the citrusy jicama salad with pickled onion, avocado, cucumber and a touch of tajin as well as the lamb with rosemary, a zesty garlic butter marinade and red chimichurri sauce. If the ocean views out the windows get you craving seafood, sample the sea with a cioppino loaded with littleneck clams, Mediterranean mussels, Dungeness crab and shrimp in a spicy tomato broth. EXTEND YOUR STAY
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