Do the U.S. Open in style at the nearby Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay in California

This year’s U.S. Open is at Olympic Club in San Francisco, which is located in one of my favorite golf regions in the country. Maybe it’s because by the time the Open rolls around – mid-June – it’s awfully hot here in my hometown of Houston and it’s usually refreshingly cool in northern California. Or maybe it’s because I just like the golf in the Bay Area.

One destination I’ve become particularly fond of is the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, which is located on the coast just 23 miles southwest of San Francisco International Airport. They’ve got two terrific golf courses at the Half Moon Bay Golf Links, the Arnold Palmer-designed Old Course and the links style Ocean Course, designed by Arthur Hills. The Ocean Course, as you might guess, has plenty of great ocean views (as does the 18th on the Old Course).

Plus, we’re talking the Ritz-Carlton, which means great rooms, spa, restaurants and atmosphere. It doesn’t get much better than sitting outside at night around an open-pit fire, overlooking the Pacific with a nightcap or two, regaling the day’s golf action.

Anyway, if you’re planning on going to the U.S. Open, and you’re not on a budget, you might want to check out the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, which is running a swanky VIP package.

“Our resort is located just a short 30 minute drive up Highway 1 from the tournament headquarters. Being located outside of San Francisco, it is much less congested and much more convenient for guests to get in and out of the tournament from our Resort,” said Jay Heidenreich, director of sales and marketing. “We’ve thought of everything including door-to-door car service and even unlimited golf when you get back to Half Moon Bay.”

Starting at $1,420 a night, the U.S. Open Golf Package includes Coastal View Accommodations at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, daily breakfast for two, valet parking, resort fee, daily roundtrip sedan service for two to and from the Olympic Club and unlimited golf after 5 p.m. for two at Half Moon Bay Golf Links. The package is available June 11-17, 2012.

For more information about The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, call resort reservations at 650-712-7040. For more information about Half Moon Bay, Calif., visit ExperienceHalfMoonBay.com.

For more information on golf in the area, check out GolfCalifornia.com’s San Francisco-area golf guide.