Montara State Beach

Stephanie Fiedler Gleich

2024-04

Clean, not busy, beautiful views. We didn’t realize it wasn’t a good place for swimming, but still had a good time playing in the waves.Restrooms: Two porta-potty in parking lot.Dog-friendliness: Yes!Picnic area: Some picnic tables on the bluff.

Violet Moyer

2023-05

Beautiful beach with wonderful views of the coast. There is a trail that leads up over the bluff on the south side of the beach. It is a little difficult so be careful if you go but we’ll worth the hike to see seals and starfish sprinkled on the rocks from a distance. Bring your binoculars!

Geo W

2019-05

Beatuful place! Yes, they allow dogs, on leashes. Make sure you come prepared to bring your own trash back with you. There are no public trash bins. Lifeguard on duty as well. It's great that they are not so strict. Pathways down to the beach is a little narrow, so be aware. But, there is a stairway right behind the restaurant.

Melissa Lozano Nieves

2021-05

Beautiful beach but it is a little difficult to get down to beach (and back up) especially if you have a lot to carry. Don't park along the perimeter of the parking lots. There are small no parking signs and a lot of cars had tickets on them when we left.

Steven Du

2019-05

A very pretty beach that has a good amount of sand to relax in. Pretty easy to get to as far as beaches in norcal can be. There's a little bit of a steep hop down, but I'm sure there are stairs somewhere if you look. Also the water is never warm if you've never been to norcal so don't expect to swim too much.

Yogini Mudafale

2018-05

Oh my God! we came to this beach on Sunday (unplanned) and there were only a handful of people relaxing at the beach. I really liked this beach because it was clean and easily accessible from the parking area.There were a couple of portable bathrooms if and when nature calls. I didn't use it.

Toktam Taghvai

2023-06

Such a beautiful beach!! The views are amazing.!! The wild flowers are in full bloom.

Echo Visa

2019-05

Nice wide stretch of the beach along highway 1. Limited parking Southwest of the coast with a great view. North has better parking with a little hike down to the White sands.

Susana Rodriguez

2021-05

It was great weather and the area is ok to get to. Pretty easy access normally lots of parking. The only thing was we went labor day weekend so we fought traffic, parking and bathroom there are none. They need bathrooms there that's the only down side.

Steve Beck

2019-05

Montara is a lovely beach with great surf. There were plenty of people there but it wasn't too crowded. It allows dogs and although you're not supposed to let them off leash everyone was cool about it as long as the dog isn't aggressive and you clean up after them. We did find one syringe (it looked like insulin) but otherwise the beach was pretty clean.

Deanna Y

2021-05

Beautiful clean beach for family fun. A popular surf spot so the waves are bigger but still ok for supervised wading and jumping at the shore

Norris C

2021-05

parking has reopened. Some people but not crowded in the morning, mostly people strolling along the beach, some with their pets, whilst keeping safe distances from each other.

Ignacio Navarro

2019-05

very nice place to relax not alot of people and also the beach is clean

sceNICK

2023-05

Very clean beach. A lot cleaner than that of Santa Cruz.

Jessica Vaughan

2019-05

Beautiful Northern California beach right along Californias scenic Highway 1. Plan on parking along the highway or on side streets as the lot fills up fast. There are dining establishments nearby including the haunted Moss Beach Distillery. The surf can be high but life guards are on duty during the daytime hours.

Sandra Schroder

2019-05

One of the most beautiful beaches in California. The sand is clean, the waves are amazing and the scenery is stunning. Surrounded by mountains for great hiking and biking. #coastsidefamilyadventures

Rauf Adil

2018-05

Good, clean and we'll maintained beach between Half Moon Bay and Watsonville.

Liliane Howland

2023-07

If you want to get to the sandy beach, park at the 2nd entrance headed south on Cabrillo Highway.

Michael Duarte

2021-05

Beautiful beach, it is wide and not so crowded.

Abbey Her

2020-05

Adventure awaits in all shapes and sizes, and one shouldn’t deny themselves the simple adventures in life.

Beatrice Renteria

2019-05

Lovely place, a slippery hike down. So wear shoes with good grip or use the stairs. We missed them on the way in.

Lex Royale

2017-05

Such a pretty little area! Thoroughly enjoyed it while on a trip up the PCH.

Mary Fox

2021-05

One of the best beaches I've been to in the bay area.

azzyzyva z

2019-05

Parking can get quite crowded but the beach is huge and not crowded at all.

Debby Cole

2022-05

Beautiful beach. And as you can see in the picture not very crowded

Carl Dahl

2022-05

Great sand on the beach.. had so much fun with the new puppies

Amin Rasooli

2023-05

Half moon bay is the best beach in Bay Area

John Bryson

2021-05

Beautiful day at the beach. Watched the sunset

Chandra Mohan

2021-05

Beautiful sunset. Limited parking and a small hike with stairs (which is broken at the end currently) to get to the beach. The beach itself is good

Robert

2023-05

Quick access to the beach, includes a set of concrete steps from the parking lot to the beach. Kid friendly, rarely crowded and most respectful of your space and privacy. The beaches are clean and free of garbage. Traffic even on weekends seems minimal. No backups or delays. Only caveat like any other roads is it's a pain to get back on a busy hw.and parking ar prime hours maybe difficult. The beach is always a bit windy and always bring layered clothing. Watch out for washed up jelly fish. And don't let your kids touch them. Not sure of how long stingers are active after death. They have porta potties. Yuck.