Montara State Beach, Pacifica

Montara State Beach to Gray Whale Cove State Beach

Pleasure Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Difficulty Rating: 1 2 3 4 5
Mileage: 3 mile round trip 
Click Here for Map of Montara Mountain Trail

Why Montara Beach to Gray Whale Cove?
The famous stretch of California's Hwy 1 between Half Moon Bay and San Francisco is an incredible sight to see.  Most visitors drive in their cars [preferably in a convertible] down the luxurious lanes of coastal highway, enjoying the elegant pacific ever present to the west meeting the dramatic sandy cliffs of the California coast.  This is a bucket list type of drive, so put it on your to-do list immediately.  But to take it a step further and really come into contact with this unique landscape- an even more incredible way to experience this special place is to park the car and go for a little hikeabout!  This perfect mini hike upon the Montara Mountain Trail will offer you a rare chance to witness flora, wildlife, coastline, mountains, and million dollar views in an easy 3 mile roundtrip trek.  

Let's Get Hiking!
Pack a lunch and some treats, maybe even a couple of beers or a bottle of wine to enjoy when you get to the beach.  Bring flip flops and a towel just in case you decide to get wet in the ocean.  Located just south of downtown Pacifica along Hwy 1, park your car at the Montara State Beach parking lot, on the westside.  This is a dirt pull off that you can miss if you are going too fast.  Walk north and you'll see a narrow path that winds for about 50 yards along the cliff and up to the highway.  Carefully cross the busy highway and begin the trail at the sign that says Montara State Beach, McNee Ranch.  This trail will lead you up and over the hills whilst overlooking the majestic Pacific.  For about 1.5 miles you will hug the edge of the mountain as you gaze at the dazzling sun sparkling on the ocean, or perhaps like me, you might spot a breaching whale or two!  
Blooming succulents, poppies and mustard, along with coastal pines envelope your senses.  This unique landscape can feel mysterious and seductive on a foggy day, and on a sunny day it will be cheery and invigorating- no matter what the weather, you can not go wrong.  It is that beautiful.  The trail winds throughout the hillside, so if one wishes to create a more challenging hike, take any one of the spurs that you hit along the trail.  Most of them will all spit you out at the next beach parking lot, which is at Gray Whale Cove State Beach.  Once you reach this parking lot, again, carefully cross Hwy 1 and take the steep ramp, then steep staircase down to the intimate cove. Surrounding you will be the colorful and craggy cliffs and in front of you, the grand Pacific ocean.  

Once you've a comfortable spot on the sandy shores, enjoy your lunch, sip some beverages, and let the kids play in the sand, splash in the waves, collect driftwood, and just be free!  This should feel like a brief escape from reality, a slice of utopia.  This 1/2 mile wide cove is quiet, spacious, gorgeous, and protected from high winds.  Although there are no facilities, it is a fantastic spot to relax and enjoy an afternoon. Two words of caution, the waves can be very powerful and large, so always monitor children closely.  Also, the north end of the beach seems to be a nudist hang out, so use caution when venturing in that direction or you might have a surprise!

Before it gets too close to sunset, head back to Montara State Beach, using the trail from earlier in the reverse direction.  If you time it just right, you'll be back to the parking lot safe and sound before dark.  From the cliffs of Montara State Beach, watch the sun become swallowed by the ocean and witness the sky explode into shades of purple, pink, orange and red. This is paradise!  This breathtaking sunset will complete the perfect ending to a perfect day!