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HI Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel

4.2 (89 reviews)
Open Open 24 hours

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Community Service/Non-Profit

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Erik W.

I will never forget this place. We stayed here on our very last night in the Bay Area. Incredible way to end our vacation. Views that rival that of any 5 star ocean side hotel but at a fraction of the cost. I've stayed at a hand full of hostels and this one takes the cake. Friendly/informative staff, clean facilities and beds, cute common area and a cafe to get coffee in the AM. We stayed in a private room with a semi private bathroom and shower. Not a problem for us... the majority of people are only at the hostel to sleep bc they want to get out and see the city. We were able to sit outside and enjoy the ocean view sitting right next to a cute lighthouse.

Irina V.

This lighthouse was built in Massachusetts but was later moved to Montana, California. It is 30 feet tall so it's easier to move. It was brought to California in 1928. Here you can stay the night at the hostel. You can walk down to the beach and there are benches and places to take in all the beautiful scenery. The lighthouse itself is closed. You can enjoy it from the outside. We stayed over night in the hostel. It's a great way to enjoy the lighthouse in the morning and the evening.

Signage at Montara Light & Hostel
Bradley N.

Know that line in "This is Spinal Tap" where they talk about an amp that "goes all the way to eleven"? Well, that is exactly how I feel about the deceptively delicate and alternately dangerous place that is the Point Montara Lighthouse and Hostel. I need to post 11 pictures, not ten (my usual Yelp limit) to share with you what I mean. 10 is not enough. 11 is needed. First, the place is cute, with lots of little decorative features in the gardens and grounds that show you somebody here loves the place, dearly! Christmas decorations, sculptures, and quirky touches like the "non-profit monster" who dares you to toss donations into its gaping maw. Like a muppet on acid, really (see photo for proof). Then, the waves in winter actually crash like thunder before smashing against the rocks below, churning up the water into a sea of raging whiteness. The danger signs are there for a reason! As is the squat little working lighthouse, so much less visually impressive at first than elegant Pigeon Point further to the South outside of Pescadero. In fact, according the Steve N. of Pacifica (see the link in his 2008 review) the lighthouse was once located on Cape Cod before being dismantled and moved by the Coast Guard to Northern California. And the more I observed, the greater grew my respect and awe for the place and tough-as-nails little lighthouse that could. Montara Mountain looms out at you, and the deliciously death-defying Devil's Slide is further to the North. And those waves! Crashing like a Mavericks widow-maker, it seemed to me. But the hostel is so inviting and warm and downright funky that suddenly you forget death and danger and just smile and think to yourself what a wonderful world ... at least for that brief moment of time that it takes for a camera shutter to click. And then reality intrudes, you check your watch, your cell phone rings, and you move on down the road to keep on living. But it's a good stop, though. The pictures do not lie.

How delightful. Stagnant water in tub..
Karen O.

The views are fantastic and we reallly wanted to love this place but it was just super disgusting. The bathroom we were assigned was horrible--- I've seen better in train stations and bars. The whole thing was FILTHY as heck - for the entire 3 days while we were there. -Stagnant water in the tub -Dirt (we hope)-stained towels were just dropped on the floor and not cleaned up -No toilet paper (had to ask twice) -Gross stuff in the sink Oh and despite being a non-smoking hostel, multiple people were smoking MARIJUANA from vape pens IN THE COMMON ROOM WHILE MY TWO LITTLE GIRLS PLAYED RIGHT NEXT TO THEM. The staff didn't seem to notice or care. GROSS AS HELL.

Point Montara Lighthouse and Hostel
Tristan A.

Can YOU say you've stayed overnight at a lighthouse? I can - NEENER NEENER NEENER. I have a thing for the ocean, and adore lighthouses. For less than the cost of a cheap meal, you can awaken to the sound of gulls and crashing surf outside your windows. Sure, the rooms are somewhat spartan, yet clean and comfy, and over at the common rooms, you may hear a lot of foreign accents practicing their english, and you may share a kitchen with a real mixed bunch of interesting people that may want to chat with you about america (how fun is that), but wowza, i love the montara and the pigeon point lighthouse hostels. great fun, great people, great locations. Most hostels are eco conscious (long before these pricey eco resorts), and the friendly host/ess will guide you to local sites to see, as well as good places to eat (but we have yelp help for that). There are hostels in about every city you will want to stay, now, and there are 'party' hostels, and quieter hostels, but I have always felt safe and secure and enjoyed myself. ahhh wait, except for one scarey hostel in Portland (not the Hawthorne one), that I will never go back to, but that was the only one. OH.. yeah and there was one in SF that scared the hell out of me - it was an independent one - but heck, all you have to do is look around, you will 'get' if its scarey or not. Or ask me, and I'll let you know. I think I've stayed in a zillion of them.

A room with a view.
Dara M.

I love this place! I've visited every January for five years, and each trip is memorable. I bring up a group of 50 people that fills the entire hostel, so my experience is atypical, but the facility is fantastic. It's perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean--absolutely beautiful. There are tidepools nearby, and you're only a 30-minute drive from San Francisco. They've made a lot of upgrades over the past few years...each bed has a memory foam mattress, there are heaters in each room, and the bathrooms have been redone. The kitchens are well stocked, if you're wanting to cook. There are lots of common areas, and board games and books are available. If you're not super careful, you'll probably drive right by it, but what you find once you actually get there will make up for it!

Sunset in July, 2014
James K.

I hesitate to leave a review like this...want to keep a "best kept secret"...well, a secret! Here's to sharing! I've stayed here three times. Once in a dorm and twice in private rooms. You can't go wrong either way, but the private rooms have a+++ views. For families, book two private rooms with connecting bathroom...this way you'll get a private bathroom. Be sure to utilize the kitchen and chill in the cozy living room area. Things to do: take a hike above the state beach (front desk has maps). Visit the micro brewery in half moon bay. Grab coffee from local coffee shop half a mile away. Park at Daly City and take the Bart into SF. And of course...stroll down to their beach with secluded beach access. Hands down, best hostel in CA.

Proposing to my now fiancé at Montara Point Lighthouse.
Max M.

Montara Point is one of those places that I will remember for the rest of my life, partly because I proposed to the woman of my dreams there. Upon deciding where and when I was going to propose, I emailed the staff at the lighthouse and gave them some insight on my plan. They were very quick to reply and gave me all the info and help I needed. They let me reserve a little area to set up with props, friends, cameras and etc before my initial arrival. Some time later I arrived with my girlfriend and did the deed. By the time my girlfriend took off her blindfold, we were surrounded by folks and staff just as happy as we were. I chose Montara Point because of the beautiful scenery, having the ocean a few feet away and because of how the place was run. It reminds me of simpler times, times that I didn't really get a chance to live in because I am 22. There is no fancy big screen tv's or huge pool and hot tub, but there is a cozy little room with a stellar view and the best vibes you can ask for. And that is exactly what I wanted. This will be our pre-honeymoon destination, anniversary destination and any other excuse we can think of to come here destination. I am excited to come back and I hope this place never changes. P.s If you guys from the hostel are reading this- Thank you. Also, if you need help with any work on or around the grounds, I would love to volunteer. P.s.s She said yes!

Hi Point Montara Lighthouse
Sean T.

Located a short 15-20 minute drive north of Half Moon Bay, Hi Point Montara Lighthouse is a historic and still operating coastal emblem. The historic lighthouse opened in 1875 to serve as a maritime compass and guide ships through coastal fog. Today, the lighthouse has expanded to a hostel and beach access point for hikers. However, the lighthouse still retains its historic roots and still operates as an aid to navigation by the United States Coast Guard. If you're searching for a beautiful coastal backdrop, short beach hike or an convenient way to access the beach, Hi Point Montara Lighthouse is an ideal Half Moon Bay destination.

Clare L.

What a beautiful spot! An amazing place to retreat to if you're in the bay area and are looking for a quiet, peaceful place to catch your breath and appreciate life for what it is. I've stayed here many times multiple days in a row. Very friendly and helpful staff, great conversation. Maybe I love the staff because they are my friends... but go ahead and strike up a conversation, they are great company and wonderful people. The coffee bar is great, even if you're just visiting for a day, grab a cup of joe or a latte, go sit on the benches next to the lighthouse and watch the world go by.

Amanda D.

I loved this hostel so much. I had a pretty horrible day the night before I found this place, and was very close to giving up my trip and just head back home. But from the minute I got here, the hostel had such a warm, welcoming and homely feel. Made all the better by having some pretty incredible dorm mates. Waking up to the sounds of the ocean right next to the hostel was unbeatable. I have nothing but great things to say about the place that gave me the boost to continue with my trip. I'll never forget my stay here.

The staff's lodging
Chloe S.

We make a yearly trip here as a family and we're always so happy with our stay. As a family of 6 (two adults and 4 children), we are limited by space, cost, and how family friendly where we stay is. Point Montara checks every box. There are a variety of rooms to stay in. Most have dramatic ocean views. Falling asleep and waking to the sounds of the waves crash on the cliffs is heavenly! The rooms are just what you need, plus comfortable beds, and very basic. We always book one of the two dorm rooms since we have enough people to fill the beds. We get our own bathroom this way too. :) The shared kitchens have the best views. The kitchens are well stocked and have the best views available. The living room space has books, magazines, toys and coloring books. We've met really great people there. This year, we stayed on the weekend before Halloween when the hostel has it's big Halloween event. The kids had a blast, but the staff was really busy. I think the hostel suffered a bit of housekeeping care due to all hands needed on deck for the event. Forgiven by us, since I know that they typical standards are higher, but I can see how other guests could have been turned off. If we go this weekend next year, we will check in the night before the event so we wont have to wait for towels, etc.

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Cool experience fo stay here. Close to the water, can hear it while sleeping. Cafe on site which served Tiger Spice.

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Ask the Community - HI Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel

Review Highlights - HI Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel

We've been to others (like Pigeon Point just down Hwy 1) and this is, far and away, the cleanest and most dramatic we've been to.

Mentioned in 4 reviews

Read more highlights

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HI Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel - hostels - Updated May 2026

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