Montara State Beach

Montara State Beach is a wide mile-long beach just north of Montara along the San Mateo County Coast. Behind the beach there are stunning sculpted sandstone cliffs and rolling hills of the coastal range making this a very picturesque spot.

The beach has two access points on Highway 1. One is at 2nd Street next to the old La Costanera Restaurant building (8150 Cabrillo Hwy) in Montara and one is a half-mile north. The northern parking lot has a wide trail and a steep stairway that drops down to Martini Creek where it crosses Montara Beach. The southern parking lot has a concrete stairway located behind the building. A few years ago the restaurant closed but the building and the parking lots remain which is good for additional beach parking.

This beach is excellent for beach walking as it’s long and scenic. Look to the north and with good eyes you’ll spot the Devil’s Slide Bunker above Gray Whale Cove State Beach. On your walk, you might see surfers in the water if surf’s up.

Dogs, horses, fires, camping, drones, fireworks, and removal of anything (think shells, rocks, & driftwood) are all prohibited at Montara State Beach. Park hours are 8am to sunset every day.

Nearby McNee Ranch is on state park land within Montara State Beach and it has miles of hiking trails that lead up to Montara  Mountain, San Pedro Mountain, and other summits and viewpoints. Another trail traverses the hillside above the highway to Gray Whale Cove. You’ll find the McNee Ranch trailhead on the inland side of Hwy 1 just north of the northern Montara State Beach parking lot (see our map).

The Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel is south of here for a unique place to stay if you plan ahead. For camping we recommend going to Half Moon Bay State Beach which has excellent camping facilities and amazing beaches.

Address

8138 Cabrillo Hwy
Montara, CA 94037

Phone

650-726-8819

Park Name

Montara State Beach, McNee Ranch State Park

Owner

State Park

Pet Details

Dogs allowed on the beach if on a leash

Fees

Free parking in two separate lots

Activities

Surfing, Beach Walking, Fishing, Tidepooling, Hiking, Beachcombing

Amenities

Tide Pools, Streams, Trails, Toilets

Links

Water Quality
Tide Chart
Water Temps
Montara Surf Report