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About Montara State Beach in Montara, California

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 making this a very photogenic spot.

The beach has two access points on Highway 1. One is at 2nd Street next to the old La Costanera Restaurant (8150 Cabrillo Hwy) in Montara and one is a half-mile north. The northern parking lot has a wide trail and a steep stair that drops down to Martini Creek where it crosses Montara Beach. The southern parking lot requires a walk to the beach side of the restaurant to reach a safe stairway access point.

Nearby McNee Ranch is state park land within Montara State Beach that has hiking trails that lead up to Montara Mountain. There are also trails that traverse the hillside above the highway all the way to Gray Whale Cove State Beach. You’ll find the hiking trailhead on the inland side of Hwy 1 just north of the northern Montara State Beach parking lot.

The Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel is south of here for a unique place to stay if you plan ahead.

Address
2nd St and Cabrillo Hwy
Montara, CA 94037
Park Name
Montara State Beach, McNee Ranch State Park
Owner
State Park
Pet Details
Dogs allowed on leash
Fees
No fee for parking
Activities
Fishing, Tidepooling, Hiking, Beachcombing, Surfing, Beach Walking
Amenities
Tide Pools, Trails
Map of Montara State Beach
Montara, US
2:25 pm, November 30, 2023
temperature icon 59°F
L: 54° H: 59°
Feels like 57.96 °F scattered clouds
Wind gusts: 8 m/s
UV Index: 1.24
Precipitation: 0.02 inch
Visibility: 10 km
Sunrise: 7:05 am
Sunset: 4:52 pm
Humidity 78 %
Pressure1015 mb
Wind 8 m/s

Nearby Beaches

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Nearby Lodging

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