The Point Montara Lighthouse, established in 1875, is perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. What was once a beacon to warn sailors during the fog, now leads the way to the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel.
Located just 25 miles south of San Francisco, and only 7 miles from Half Moon Bay, this location offers easy access to both. This part of the world is full of natural beauty, and if the hiking, biking and water sports doesn’t interest you, the horseback riding of beach-combing should convince you to stay a while.
Accommodation & Amenities
The Coast Guard quarters have been converted into guest accommodation, and you have a choice of shared and private rooms. Amenities include DSL Internet and free WiFi, on-site laundry, free parking, and an espresso bar.
Cove Beach Montara
Point Montara Lighthouse History
Because of the thick fog that is a familiar sight on this part of the coast, ships were forced to hug the coastline in their final approach to San Francisco, which put them in peril of the rocky coastline and surging waves. Two really bad ship wrecks in the 1800’s forced congress to establish the Point Montara Lighthouse.
As lighthouses goes, the Point Montara Lighthouse is pretty unobtrusive, and could do with a lick of paint, but the view from bluffs is beautiful, and for cut-price accommodation in the heart of Northern California — it can’t be beat.
Even if you’re only passing through, you should take a little detour off the main road and wander around the Point Montara Lighthouse and take a walk along the bluffs to Cove Beach. I visited a couple of times — once on a foggy day and this day when it was glorious sunshine.
There’s just something so endearing about a lighthouse… and one of these days, when I have a few moments I’m going to get my pen and paper out and sketch that image of the house with the buoys hanging off the fence….
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- 16th Street and Highway 1, Montara, CA 94037
- Phone: 1 (650) 728-7177
- GPS Coordinates: N 37 32.199, W 122 31.127
The Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel is located 25 miles south of San Francisco and 7 miles north of Half Moon Bay. We’re on coastal Highway 1 (also known as Cabrillo Highway) near 16th Street, between the towns of Montara and Moss Beach.
Website for More Information: http://www.norcalhostels.org
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I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for close to 30 years and always enjoyed the occasional day trip or weekend trip to Half Moon Bay. This town has a lot of offer – great beaches for watching the surfers, great food and good beer! Love the quirky shops and the clam chowder shops – they go crazy at Halloween with all the pumpkins but it is a great trip!
I loved my time house sitting at Half Moon Bay. That part of the coastline is dramatic – and I love the seafood restaurants. I was there during 4th of July, and the town put on quite a show. Obviously a great community spirit.
Wow! I would love to stay that close to a lighthouse! San Francisco is one of my favorite get-aways, so I hope to see Point Montara Lighthouse on one my trips!
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I have a fascination with lighthouses and would love to visit Point Montara Lighthouse and the cove beach. The beach looks so unspoilt and the accommodation seems reasonable too.
What is it about lighthouses? I love them too. I went through a phases of sketching and doing water colour lighthouse pictures. They all have their own little design quirks that make them unique.