On the San Francisco Peninsula in San Mateo County, approx. 20 miles south of San Francisco. The Montara beach is located eight miles north of Half Moon Bay on Highway One. Point Montara has a lighthouse that offers overnight accommodations. It is operated by Hostelling International, a non-profit group.
Montara mountain (also called McNee Ranch) is part of Montara State Beach. The mountain is a northern spur of the Santa Cruz Mountains and features the only undisturbed Coastal Mountain Habitat found over 100 miles of coastline.