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    Point Montara Light Station

    4.5 (13 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

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    Joan W.

    Cute little lighthouse about 30 minutes away from SF. Parking for visitors is for 1 hour and it is shared with guest parking for the hostel onsite. The lighthouse itself is pretty small for lighthouses but it serves as a nice photo op with the ocean in the background. There are a few benches to picnic or just chill and watch the ocean and some information plaques about the history. This is a good staycation activity, weekend drive getaway where you don't want to go that far from the city, or nice place to stop on the way to Half Moon Bay. If you are looking for a more statuesque lighthousey lighthouse keep driving an extra hour to Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero.

    Chris M.

    Let me start off by saying that I've never spent the night at the hostel located here. However, I have stopped here a few times. Why? This place offers some magnificent views of the Pacific coast around Montara! The directors of the hostel have told us that there is no problem to stop, park and walk around (as long as we don't bother those staying at the hostel). If you're driving along Highway 1 between Pacifica to Half Moon Bay, take a short detour here. Plan to spend at least a half hour walking around the premises and beach area. You won't be sorry!

    Tanmoy M.

    This place is so beautiful. people are extremely amazing. i had such an wonderful me time birthday there. i can sit down there with a cup of tea whole evening. such an hidden gem it is.

    Cute...so little compared to Pigeon Point lighthouse
    Devo S.

    This is such a cute little lighhouse! Shortest little lighthouse I've ever seen, but it's extremely photogenic, which is why we stopped by here near sunset time, so Hubby could take his pics. Sadly, the marine layer blew in over the horizon (y'all have seen that before), so the sunset was blocked and we didn't get that great, beautiful golden light you usually get at the end of the day that would light up anything with that soft golden glow. We still got a few pics, though... If you have a chance to visit, or are doing a coastal lighthouse picture-taking tour like we happened to be, be sure to have Point Montara Light Station's cute little lighthouse on your list of places to visit. If you're really dedicated, you can stay in the hostel that's on property as well...I don't do hostels because I'm too much of a snob (I need my hairdryer! And a shower. And a flushing toilet. And my own room. You get the picture)

    Signage Entrance
    Joshua B.

    Quaint lighthouse right off of Hwy 1. We always try to visit lighthouses on our trips, and this was just a couple miles north drive from Half Moon Bay. Can't review about the hostel (not our cup of tea) but the grounds were clean and maintained. Cute small lighthouse with nice views of the ocean. Able to stop walk the small grounds take some pics.

    Small lighthouse, gorgeous location and grounds
    Julianna H.

    This is a gem of a lighthouse! Yes it's a hostel but you can roam the grounds as a visitor, the sign says to limit your visit to an hour. We thought we wouldn't need that long, but there are a few paths up to a gorgeous view and also down to a private beach and it's really spectacular. We were the only ones there and it was peaceful and serene. We watched the pelicans fly by and the waves crashing on the rocks below. The lighthouse itself is small and you can't go in but the history is laid out there for you to read and it's just a beautiful spot.

    Eddie H.

    Point Montara is a neat lighthouse, but given that Pigeon Point is less than an hour away, it is doesn't get as much attention. Part of the reason is the location (sits on the same property as a hostel) and it does not sit out along a deep stretch of land like Pigeon Point. The lighthouse and the view is still good (great for photos) but lacks that mystique and scenic appeal. Nonetheless, it is still worth a stop along the Hwy 1.

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    Cool place to see. Nice view of the pacific ocean. Drive along the coast is worthwhile.

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    Ask the Community - Point Montara Light Station

    Review Highlights - Point Montara Light Station

    Yes it's a hostel but you can roam the grounds as a visitor, the sign says to limit your visit to an hour.

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    HI Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel - Dorm Bedroom

    HI Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel

    4.2(89 reviews)
    0.0 km

    Great non-profit hostel. The grounds are so beautiful, and the scenery is sublime. The staff was…read morehelpful, and love the kitchen (bring your own food) and common areas with games. A few small complaints - the bathroom sink required holding the lever down (annoying - had to turn on the shower to wash my face), and no USB port or power outlet near each bed like some other hostels, although they do have a power outlet in the room, and wifi. While you're in the area, check out Fitzgerald Marine Reserve during low tide to see the sea critters, and walk the Devil's Slide Trail. If you're new to hostels, google "tips for staying in a hostel". It's not a hotel.

    I was going to chalk my experience up to just a grumpy old lady but after chatting with another…read moregroup who went in after us I'm going to change that to grumpy old racist lady I proposed to my girlfriend down the street from here and we came here to take some pictures with the lighthouse, upon passing the gate we were almost immediately approached by this grumpy old lady. Huffing and puffing yelling at us that this is a private property. I (VERY NICELY) told her that we were under the impression that there was an easement to the beach (which is true), she then goes to say that we didn't sign the digital waiver at the door, ok fair enough, I immediately tell her that we will go right away back up to the gate and sign the waiver. She then proceeds to yell at us about how we are not allowed to do professional photoshoots, okay lady I get that maybe I do look like a model (especially compared to her) but some friends with a camera isn't a professional photoshoot. I once again, nicely explain to her that I just proposed and we're just trying to get a few pics of the location and we will go sign the waiver right away. She proceeds once again to repeat herself about the waivers which I don't understand because I already said we would go sign it right away and her talking is actually what is preventing from us from going to sign the waivers. She then ironically says "it's unfortunate that this is what you will remember from your engagement day" like what?! LADY if you know you're ruining our day why are you doing this? but fear not it did not ruin our day because I will not let some old hag ruin my day so I once again tell her we will go sign the waivers, she then has the balls to tell me that "this is a non-profit, there is a donation box at the door" ok PAUSE I would be MORE than happy to donate $50, even $100 to your location but not after the way you just treated us. We end up walking back up to the gate to sign the waivers and run into another couple making their way down the hill. I jokingly told them to make sure they signed the waiver or they would get yelled at to which they told me they didn't and proceeded down the hill. We ended up running into them at the parking lot again and they told us that they lady gave them no trouble even though they didn't sign the waiver. I jokingly said to them it's probably because of race (we are asian, they were Caucasian) to which they replied that they really may have been the case because they had no trouble at all. It's unfortunate such a beautiful location is run by such an old grumpy lady. I 100% own it that we should have signed the waiver upon entry but if rules exist they should apply to everyone regardless or age/race/gender/etc.. and on top of that once I already told her we would go sign the waivers she could have easily sent us about our way but I can't imagine why she felt the need to continuously lecture and yell at us.

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    HI Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel - The Surfside House Kitchen

    The Surfside House Kitchen

    HI Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel - The Surfside House Living Dining Room

    The Surfside House Living Dining Room

    HI Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel - The Surfside House Stove

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    The Surfside House Stove

    Devils Slide Bypass Tunnel - Devils Slide Bypass Tunnel

    Devils Slide Bypass Tunnel

    4.3(20 reviews)
    5.5 km

    The "Devil's Slide Bypass Tunnels" aka "The Tom Lantos Tunnels" are bypass tunnels that allow for…read morethe safe routing of Highway 1 pass Devil's Slide. Opened in March 2013, it's a modern tunnel that provides a safer road without the threat of rock slides and closures. It's named after Congressman Tom Lantos, who was instrumental in securing funding for the project. I drive thru these tunnels, mainly southbound*, at least 1-3 times a week for work. It's a relatively straight, long tunnel, well lit with fans. Headlights should be ON in the tunnel. It's a pretty boring drive, and that's the way it should be. The tunnel is wide enough if you need to pull over. The old views are not lost. The old Highway 1 is now a trail. There are small parking lots on the north and south ends of the tunnels. The Devil's Slide Tunnels were built to create a safer Highway 1. *Why mainly southbound? Because I go to Half Moon Bay and take Rt 92 back to the freeways.

    It's not as scenic of a drive as the old portion of highway 1 that it replaced, but it's a hell of…read morea lot safer to travel through. No more treacherous rockslides on this part of highway 1! Driving through this tunnel always makes me happy because I know what lies on the other end. Beautiful beaches, wonderful hiking trails, and some of the most scenic viewpoints in the Bay Area await you on the other end of this tunnel. The tunnel runs along the coast through San Pedro Mountain and connects Pacifica to Montara and beyond. If you're driving from Pacifica to Montara, you can still access the old portion of highway 1 by the last exit right before the tunnel entrance, or the first exit right after you exit the tunnel. This part of highway 1 has since been designated as a pedestrian only path known as the Devil's Slide Coastal Trail. It's one of my favorite trails to hike/walk in Pacifica, and it's also a popular tourist destination. It's sad that this part of highway 1 had so many terrible rockslides over the years, but I'm happy that they were able to finally replace this section with this tunnel. It's a lot safer and the old section of highway 1 has become such a gorgeous coastal pedestrian trail.

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    Devils Slide Bypass Tunnel - Devils Slide Bypass Tunnel

    Devils Slide Bypass Tunnel

    Devils Slide Bypass Tunnel
    Devils Slide Bypass Tunnel

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    Sanchez Adobe - Welcome to SAHS.

    Sanchez Adobe

    4.3(16 reviews)
    6.1 km

    I moved to Pacifica 6 years ago, and had no idea when I got here just what a gem of a town it…read moreis-ocean, open space, mellow vibe, no attitude, friendly people, and an historic Adobe from the mid 1800s! It is easy to miss when driving by because there is a fence along the busy street it butts up to, and there is almost no signage. It is part of the county parks, and is manned by only one person. The building itself is incredibly beautiful in its simplicity-traditional Mexican architecture with a large roof overhang for shade, and open grounds. The interior is full of period furniture, showing what it was like to live there in the 1840s. The "shop" is nothing more than a few shelves next to a desk and chair, where one can buy a postcard or book from a very limited selection. I appreciate the dedication that has gone in to keeping this building in such great condition. I for one am a big fan of hidden gems like these in a busy place like the San Francisco Bay Area.

    We randomly decided to spend the day in Pacifica and a quick google search recommended a visit to…read moreSanchez Adobe. We came upon the small museum/Interpretive Center and were greeted by two lovely ladies. One lady showed us around the center and gave us a nice overview of the exhibits and the history of the area. Then the other lady led us outside to visit the Adobe house. The second floor is being fixed so we only toured the first floor. We returned to the museum building and we watched a couple short educational videos on the tv. Then we took about 15 minutes to get a closer look at the exhibits and to buy some postcards. The visit was totally free. They mentioned that a lot of kids come here for a field trip and they have cute hands on activities for them. I left with a greater appreciation for the Indigenous Peoples and early California history.

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    Sanchez Adobe - Museum

    Museum

    Sanchez Adobe - Sanchez Adobe House.

    Sanchez Adobe House.

    Sanchez Adobe - Hours.

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    Hours.

    Point Montara Light Station - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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