The Dunes at Half Moon Bay Eco-friendly Coastal Destination Offers Upscale, Affordable Stays
Half Moon Bay, California USA
The Challenge
Working with a scenic 47-acre coastal expanse along northern California’s Highway 1 between Half Moon Bay and Dunes Beach, HKS designers used a “light touch” approach to create an eco-friendly, low-scale resort at the environmentally sensitive site.
The Design Solution
Designed to compliment the natural topography and connect guests with the coastal ecosystem, the guestroom wings, main lodge and amenity spaces are organized around a series of distinctive meadows of indigenous vegetation oriented toward ocean views, the harbor and the coastal mountain range.
A five-acre quadrant of existing farmland is preserved and coupled with a new market, serving as the first visual element along the guest arrival sequence, offering an authentic farm-to-table experience for visitors and locals alike that celebrates the region’s rich agricultural heritage.
The Design Impact
What makes this a standout property? The Dune’s “something for everyone” variety of accommodations: luxury guestrooms in the main lodge; an RV Village (bring your own or rent a custom Airstream unit on-site); and the affordable Bike Barn, a communal bunk house adjacent to a bike storage barn that is modeled after hostel-style accommodations. It offers a low-cost option for cyclists and adventurers who come to the area for an outdoor experience that features scenic coastal trails, meandering canyons and spectacular Redwood forests.
Project Features
- 206 luxury guestrooms
- 15,000 square foot (1,393 sm) conference facility
- Full-service spa
- RV Village with 173 RV spaces; custom Airstream rental units available
- General Store
- Bike Barn with low-cost accommodations for cyclists & their gear
- Five-acre coastal farm