# California college system drops $193M on sprawling cliffside hotel — as in-state students fork over $50K a year on tuition

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/california-college-system-drops-193m-on-sprawling-cliffside-hotel-as-in-state-students-fork-over-50k-a-year-on-tuition/
- Published: 2026-11-07T21:13:23+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-07T22:40:09+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Post (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://nypost.com/2026/11/07/real-estate/uc-system-buys-193-million-ritz-carlton-as-california-college-costs-top-50k/
- Topics: World

## Key points

- UC Investments bought the Half Moon Bay Ritz-Carlton for $193 million.
- Annual costs at some UC campuses top $50,000 for residents.
- The resort is an investment intended to support UC retirement funds.

## Summary

The University of California system’s investment arm has bought the Ritz-Carlton resort in Half Moon Bay for $193 million. The purchase comes as annual costs at several UC campuses exceed $50,000 for California residents, prompting questions about affordability and the use of the system’s investment funds.

The 261-room resort will be held as an investment, with reports suggesting it could retain the Ritz-Carlton name and management. UC Investments manages a portfolio worth more than $300 billion that helps fund pensions for about 40,000 retirees. The hotel is Half Moon Bay’s largest employer and taxpayer; its past controversies include a $1.6 million fine in 2019 over blocked beach access, while families may face costs of about $200,000 for four years at a UC campus.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.