All content & photos: Copyright© 2008,
Jan Hight. All rights reserved.
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
on Miramar Beach Half Moon Bay, California
The Cypress Inn has a second building called the Beach House (which is
rather ironic since it sits behind the main building and is, thus, further away from the
beach). The 4 rooms in this later addition to the Inn are named for beaches in the area
(hence the name Beach House), and they are larger than most of the 8 "nature"
rooms in the original section. This building was added after the Inn was purchased by the
current owners, who also own the luxurious Inn at Depot
Hill in Capitola-by-the-Sea, California....which you can tour via the "Jan's Journeys" article chronicling our visit
to that very romantic B&B. The elegant decorating touches used
throughout the Inn at Depot Hill are evident in the "Beach" rooms, which contain
TV/VCRs and stereo systems (TVs are available upon request in the main building). Even
though they're not as close to the ocean, these rooms also have decks with sea views. As
engaging as the Beach House is, I think I prefer the capricious charm of the rooms in the
original building. Breakfast may be enjoyed downstairs in the reception area, or guests may
give the innkeeper their order the evening before and have a tray brought to their room.
We preferred the latter option, as it seems many of our neighbors did. We couldn't resist
lingering over the luscious treats while being refreshed by the sight, sound and scent of
the waves breaking so close to El Viento. Breakfast choices included the Inn's signature
peaches and cream french toast or an "egg surprise", which might be a fritatta
or an egg burrito or some other delectable concoction. Accompaniments were granola and
yogurt parfaits, croissants, fresh fruit, freshly-squeezed orange juice and coffee. Meals
were served on the Inn's festive dinnerware, and everything was superb. Carol is
the person responsible for this enticing beginning to the day, and she is definitely to be
commended!
There's yet another tempting delight available at the Cypress Inn, one
that isn't encountered very often....an in-house masseuse! Cheryl Fuller is a licensed massage therapist with her own studio in a tranquil
aerie on the top floor of the Inn. The mixture of the calming sounds of the sea and
Cheryl's soothing touch affords a rare occasion of utmost relaxation
and peace. It had been a long time since my last massage; too long
I realized as my muscles, which usually resemble the rock of Gibraltar, were suddenly as
soft and pliant as a cotton puff! John was a bit hesitant; but Cheryl's gentle, caring
soul won him over, and even he mellowed out!! The innkeepers can provide information on
rates and appointments. I highly recommend that you consider the possibility of a
seaside massage by Cheryl; this is an experience that will make your stay at the Inn truly
memorable.
To reserve your visit to this distinctive oceanside B&B in a
true California beach house, call the Cypress Inn at 800-83-BEACH...and
tell them hello from "Jan's Journeys"!
Copyright © 1996 -
2008: Jan Hight
Published -- September 14, 1996 |
Miramar...translated
it means "behold the sea". From the Cypress Inn's
panoramic location on Miramar Beach in Half Moon Bay, California, guests can behold the
magnificent Pacific from their cozy room. It becomes apparent that this is not an ordinary
Bed & Breakfast as soon as the contemporary 3-story wood structure comes into view,
especially since the deck leading to the entrance is built around a splendid Cypress tree
(a hint of the influence of nature to be found within every aspect of the Inn). 
As you step into the
reception area you may feel, as we did, that you've been transported to Santa Fe. The
vibrant colors, the blending of natural wood and wicker furniture, the terra cotta tile
fireplace and floor, and the rough-hewn wooden beams and pillars (some tinted in pastels)
are all immersed in the soft luminescence of expansive skylights. This inviting first
glimpse of the Inn is accented by the fanciful folk art which graces each niche and
cubbyhole.
The 8 rooms
in the main building are named in Spanish for components of nature....El Cielo (the sky),
La Estrella (the star)....each identified by the artistic copper name plaque on its door.
Every room is themed with a separate color scheme, such as the whites in Las Nubes (the
clouds) or the golds of a spring shower in La Lluvia (the rain). These colors are part of
the overall design to bring the splendor of this gorgeous natural setting into the rooms.
The individualized colors are even carried through on the exterior of each door, making a
walk down the hallway delightfully kaleidoscopic.
Linda, the vivacious innkeeper,
escorted us to our hideaway, El Viento (the wind), on an appropriately breezy afternoon.
The combination of the room's rosy tones and the late day sunlight made El Viento literally
glow; what an unforgettable prelude to a marvelous visit! El Viento is
compact in comparison to some of the other B&B rooms we've enjoyed, but its whimsical
personality and welcoming ambiance made up for any lack of space (as a tip...there's
storage in the built-in drawers underneath the bed). The Inn's pervasive natural wood and
wicker furniture, Spanish tile fireplace and flooring appear here, also, as do a couple of
the enchanting native art "critters". The most prominent focus of the room is
the bank of large plantation-shuttered windows and french door that provide an
ever-changing view of the sea, which is so close that the oceansong becomes part of the
room's environment. 
Each of the
rooms has this western-facing vista, complete with a small private deck. On the first
evening we sat on our deck and watched a brilliant sunset over nearby Pillar Point...such bliss!
If you
decide to remain in your private retreat for breakfast, you can still meet the other
guests in the late afternoon for wine and hors d'oeuvres. The appetizers are scrumptious,
and the atmosphere is enhanced by soft music and the gentle radiance of the fireplace. In
addition, Lucifer (a sleek black cat who apparently has several names and who seems to
have taken over proprietorship of the Inn) sometimes hosts the gathering! When you return
to the Inn after dinner, you'll find that dessert and coffee have been provided to end
your day as tastefully as it began.
The
innkeepers can recommend outdoor activities, sightseeing opportunities, restaurants etc.
Linda made excellent dining suggestions, steering us away from some spots that have
received less favorable reactions from her guests and towards locations that have won
raves. One restaurant that we hadn't tried on previous trips to Half Moon Bay - but
visited this time upon Linda's recommendation - was Pasta Moon. Although the seating
process was rather disorganized and our reservation was somehow lost, we were led to our
table fairly quickly and thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. The chef came from Stars, one of
the trendier restaurants in San Francisco, and the food was innovative and beautifully
presented.
A stroll along the 5
miles of Miramar Beach will take you past a variety of buildings ranging from eclectic
beach houses, to a rustic enclave for jazz concerts, to a modern edifice housing an art
gallery, to a singular Norwegian-Polynesian style structure which contains (among other
things) a Kayak Club. The Main Street section of Half Moon Bay has several small shops and
cafes, and new construction is adding more while staying within the character of the area.
The surrounding region offers all types of ocean activities, plus a marine preserve,
wineries, horseback riding, numerous nurseries and flower markets 
(including the very popular seasonal pumpkin
patches), and various art festivals. Again, the innkeepers can provide details and
directions.
|
Member of the Internet Link Exchange
|
