Montara Beach Activities

Montara Beach Activities

McNee Ranch

McNee Ranch is spread along the western slope of Montara Mountain, across the highway from the beach. McNee Ranch is part of Montara State Beach. Naturalists enjoy the wild slopes of the ranch land, finding plants and animals that cannot be seen anywhere else.

McNee Ranch is open for hiking, horseback riding, and biking. Dogs on leash are allowed. Some trails are steep, but the rewards are great. From the summit of 1,898-foot North Peak, on a clear day you can gaze west to the Pacific, east to San Francisco Bay and Mount Diablo, and north to Point Reyes.

Another excellent hike (and much shorter and easier than the trek to North Peak) is the hike from Gray Whale Cove to an observation point with a bench. It's a great place to watch for whales during the winter months, so pack your binoculars.

Kite Flying

Strong winds blow in from the Pacific and make Montara Beach a good place to launch kites. Be sure to bring a stout string on windy days.

Consider stopping at Fog Town Toys and Kites in Half Moon Bay and pick up a unique kite before heading to the beach. They carry a complete line of single line kites like box kites, dragon kites, and flying wonders (animals). For more advanced kite flyers, try out sport kites like the Prism Quantum Stunt Kite.

(650) 726-9212   Fog Town Toys
330 Main Street, Suite 104, Half Moon Bay, CA

Surf Fishing

The coast of northern San Mateo County offers some of the best surf fishing in the area. Among the fish most often caught are surfperch, kingfish, sole, jacksmelt, surf smelt, striped bass, and California halibut. Most surf anglers report their best success in the early morning or that last hour before dusk. Fishing on the incoming tide when fish are feeding increases odds of success.

Wildlife

Harbor seals are often spotted poking their heads up beyond the surf line. During the fall, winter, and early spring migrating gray whales can be sighted farther out from shore. Beach visitors are likely to spot gray whales in their annual migration during the winter months. January is considered the peak of the migration, but sightings are common into April. Blue whales and humpbacks are also seen just off the coast. Sea lions occasionally venture into the area.

Brown pelicans are common along the Monterey coast line as well as several types of terns and gulls.

Surfing

Surfers at Montara Beach enjoy a consistent beach break with powerful waves. At times the break has been compared with some of the biggest waves along the coast. With so much beach to work from, the area rarely is crowded. East winds are known to generate some of the best waves. Rip currents are difficult, making it a chore to paddle out.

Surfing Lessons

Several surf schools are located a few miles to the south at Half Moon Bay.

• Open Ocean Surfing, surfing lessons, classes, and camps at Surfer's Beach. (650) 867-0315
• Jetty Betty Surf School, private and group surfing lessons. (650) 455-8141