It may be just half an hour away from San Francisco and Silicon Valley, but the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay feels more like the Scottish highlands than the coast of California. In fact, it looks and feels almost exactly like one of the storied Scottish golf resorts — think Gleaneagles, Turnberry or St. Andrews Old Course. And that’s not by accident: there’s even a bagpiper who strolls the grounds at sunset. The spa is top-notch, with treatments featuring native ingredients such as a redwood scrub. Those who don’t choose to do a spa treatment can still enjoy the excellent facilities, however — a $45 day pass gets you use of the whirlpool baths, sauna, and steam rooms.