My
recent stay at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay suggested a highly
luxurious form of adult summer camp. The 261-room resort, set
spectacularly along a rugged stretch of California's Pacific
coast, is full of the expected Ritz- Carlton corporate services ”“
The Wall Street Journal and USA Today delivered
to guest rooms each morning, a 24-hour technology butler,
impressive conference rooms ”“ but is also very much of a posh
playground.

Two golf courses (one originally designed by
Arnold Palmer, the other added by golf architect Arthur Hills in
1997) wind through the property; room service delivers s'mores
kits for use at communal fire pits; the...