20 Attractions to Explore Near Montara State Beach

McNee Ranch State Park is a beautiful, scenic, and surprising park. Comprised almost entirely of wide, multi-use fire roads. The highest point in the 690-acre ranch rises to 1,898 feet above sea level. An unpaved fire road, the North Peak Access Road, accessible from the Pedro Mountain Road, provides access to the summit by hikers.

The Point Montara Light is a lighthouse in Montara, California, United States, on the southern approach to the San Francisco Bay, California approximately 25 miles south of San Francisco.The lighthouse is not open to the public, and is the site of a youth hostel sponsored by Hostelling International USA.

Gray Whale Cove State Beach is a California State Park between Pacifica, California, and Montara, California, by Highway 1 and approximately 18 miles south of San Francisco. It features a sheltered cove surrounded by abrupt cliffs, with trails connecting to nearby Montara Mountain and McNee Ranch State Park. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems.

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a marine reserve in California on the Pacific Ocean. The reserve is a 32-acre holding which extends from Montara light station at the north to Pillar Point on the south. The reserve consists of a three-mile stretch of beach.

This is a coastal promontory in California. The terrain is characterized by steep, eroded slopes with natural gradients ranging between 30 and 50%. There are small coastal valleys throughout along the major drainages within the Montara Mountain watershed.

Pedro Point Headlands offers a spectacular 255-acre landscape, three miles of trails and stunning views. At the same time, the Headlands suffered from persistent erosion, caused by past off-highway vehicle use. Sediment from the headlands runs into San Pedro Creek, harming fish, frogs and other wildlife.

Rancho is one of the largest undeveloped parcels of land on the San Mateo peninsula. Once planned for development, this land is now protected as part of our nation's natural legacy. The park contains sensitive habitat for several rare and endangered species, including the San Francisco garter snake and the Montara manzanita. Hiking, biking, and horse trails are present, but are still being developed, and may not be in good condition until repaired.

The Sanchez Art Center is a nonprofit arts organization located in Pacifica, California. It was formed in 1996 by local artists and community members.The Center also hosts exhibitions for the Arts Guild of Pacifica as well as other Bay Area arts organizations. Solo exhibitions are produced by guest curators.

A 1,052-acre area embracing the middle and south forks of San Pedro Creek, which are Steelhead spawning grounds, this park is nestled amongst the Santa Cruz Mountain range and the foothills of Pacifica. The park offers group picnic areas, family picnic sites with barbecue pits, a self-guiding nature trail, hiking trails, a visitor center, and views of a seasonal water fall.

Pillar Point Harbor is a boat harbor created by a riprap jetty in San Mateo County, California. The contemporary hamlet is the site of a small cluster of resort hotels and restaurants, and the harbor is now used largely by pleasure craft.

This is a wide crescent-shaped beach located off Highway 1 in downtown Pacifica that marks the northern gateway to the coastline stretching south of San Francisco. It is one of the most popular beginner surfing spots in the San Francisco area. Among surfers it is commonly known as Linda Mar Beach because it fronts Pacifica's Linda Mar subdivision.

Pacifica State Beach is the southernmost of Pacifica, California's large beaches. It is a 0.75-mile-long crescent-shaped beach located at the mouth of the San Pedro Valley. It is one of the most popular beginner surfing spots in the San Francisco area. Pacifica State Beach provides habitat for the western snowy plover, a shorebird which is designated as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Mavericks is a surfing location in northern California outside Pillar Point Harbor, just north of the town of Half Moon Bay at the village of Princeton-by-the-Sea. After a strong winter storm in the northern Pacific Ocean, waves can routinely crest at over 25 ft and top out at over 60 ft. Routinely, waves that break can be recorded on seismometers. The break is caused by an unusually shaped underwater rock formation.

Frontierland Park is a Park that offers outdoor recreation and nature preservation. A public space open to the general public.

Rockaway Beach is a popular brown colored sandy beach in Pacifica. Its narrow strand, crashing surf and dramatic headlands makes it a popular walking, dining, shopping and hotel destination.It is noted for its scenic overlook, and is one of the cleanest in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Miramar Beach is a sandy beach in western San Mateo County, California. Miramar Beach is one of the numerous beaches on Half Moon Bay, a Pacific Ocean embayment noted for its surfing and extensive visitation. It is one of the iconic beach where you can enjoy with your family and friends.

Montara Mountain is a challenging oceanside hike on the northern edge of the Santa Cruz Mountains, mixing Hawaii-like greenery with beautiful coastal views. Its Trail starts as a meandering jaunt through the Blue Gum Eucalyptus forest with striking glimpses of coastal Pacifica and the ocean beyond.

A majestic 110 acre park located in Pacifica, California, that is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The ponds and wetlands of Mori Point serve as habitat for the threatened California red-legged frog and the endangered San Francisco garter snake. Mori Point also has northern coastal scrub and California coastal prairie habitat in upland areas, and is well known for its spring wildflower displays. Trails, many newly built, connect the ridgeline to the entrances to the park.

Sweeney Ridge is a hilly hiking area of ridges and ravines between San Bruno and Pacifica, about a 25-minute drive south from San Francisco.. The sandy coastline and adjacent wind-protected valley of Thornton State Beach are good venues for picnicking, beach walking, surf fishing, and flying remote-control gliders.

A pretty white sand beach located on Young Avenue off of Highway 1 in San Mateo County. It is one of the many Half Moon Bay beaches and offers beautiful views of the water, especially from up on the hiking trails. There are no pets or fires allowed on the beach, but it is a great secluded spot for surfers who want to catch some waves or beachgoers who are seeking solace. A horse trail parallels Coastside Trail from Roosevelt Beach to Francis Beach.