A Day Trip from San Francisco to Montara and (all the hidden gems you shouldn’t miss)
Day Trips from San Francisco have been on our minds since the pandemic hit. Since post-pandemic travel is complicated right now, we’ve been sticking to weekend getaways as well as day trips to nearby cities.
Read our 7 Romantic Weekend Getaways from San Francisco.
Last weekend we decided to take a day trip from San Francisco to Montara. Don’t let the population size of Montara fool you! The population may be small but it makes up for it with it’s grandiose scenery of the outdoors.
Montara is a small coastal town approximately 20 miles south of San Francisco. Surrounded by both mountains and the Pacific Ocean, this quaint town offers incredible views of both with golden sand beaches and scenic hikes.
Just like us, if you’re looking to get away from your everyday urban environment and spend some quality time with your loved ones, then a day trip from San Francisco to Montara is a must.
In this post we’ll be sharing the best spots and hidden gems to visit in Montara, California.
Devils Slide Bunker
Our first stop was the Devils Slide Bunker. The Devils Slide Bunker is a short walk down from the parking lot near Devils Slide Trail.
If you want to spend the day hiking or cycling, head over to Devil’s Slide Trail which is a paved multi-use trail little over a mile and used by runners, hikers, cyclists, as well as equestrians.
You’ll get stunning views of the rocky coastal waters below and get access to various amenities such as pet waste stations, bike racks, benches, drinking fountains and restrooms.
As soon as you come out of the Devils Slide Tunnel, you’ll find the parking lot on your right side. There are 2 small parking lots but they fill up fast during sunset and weekends.
Take a short walk down the sidewalk of the Highway and then turn right onto the trail leading up to the Bunker.
The Bunker is a graffiti-covered former triangulation and observation station built during World War II.
It was so cool to see something that old still perched atop the California coastline and to be able to physically see a part of history in the present moment.
While you’re up there, you’ll get incredible views of Grey Whale Cove which will be your next stop.
Parking Fee: Free
Time Spent: 30 mins
Gray Whale Cove
Gray Whale Cove is a 3 minute drive or 15 minute walk from Devil’s Slide. Gray Whale Cove is a hotspot for picnics, sunbathing, and is where gray whales are often spotted.
Be weary of sharks as there was a recent great white shark attack on a fisherman
Parking is only available on the East side of Highway 1.
*Crossing the highway to get to the beach can be dangerous so please be careful.
As you make your way down the trail, stay to the left. You’ll arrive at a small picnic area with 2 swings. Most people miss this area as they walk straight down to the beach.
Be sure to enjoy this overlook with great photo ops before heading down the stairs to the beach.
Parking Fee: Free
Time Spent: 2 hours
Montara State Beach
Our next stop was Montara State Beach which is a 2 minute drive down from Gray Whale Cove.
Montara State Beach is a beautiful mile-long beach with stunning sculpted sandstone cliffs as a backdrop.
We shot our friends’ maternity photos here and they turned out extremely photogenic with the help of the landscapes.
The beach is most popular for surf fishing and tide pools. The beach also has a lifeguard tower with no lifeguard in sight so if you’re keen, sneak in some cool IG photos 😉
There are two access points from Highway 1. Both free parking lots but crowded during weekends and sunsets. There are also long stretches along the highway where you can pull off to park and walk to the beach.
If you’re into hiking, nearby McNee Ranch has hiking trails leading up to Montara Mountain.
Parking Fee: Free
Time Spent: 3 hours
The Pink Flowers Magic Carpet
This fourth stop was my (Shafeen’s) favorite because I love flowers.
I had been eyeing these blooms on Insta for a while now and this visit was so WORTH IT!
The Magic Carpet, as these perennials are called, bloom every Spring along the Pacific Coast. The flowers are the South African drosanthemum floribundum and with their popping pink hues blanket the coastline between March and June.
We were lucky enough to visit it this late while they were still in bloom.
The access point is a slightly hidden area south of Montara State Beach. I’ll be writing an updated post next week on how to access this area on the bluffs because it is hidden.
*Be sure to have proper hiking shoes before hiking up the bluff
You can park at either of the Montara State Beach parking lots and hike down the stairs and walk down to the left until you see a narrow trail leading up to the bluffs.
Parking Fee: Free
Time Spent: 1 hour
Point Montara Lighthouse
Point Montara Lighthouse is a 2 minute drive from Montara State Beach.
The lighthouse is a great location to take in the views of the beach below. Tidepooling and whale watching are also recommended in this area.
The lighthouse gates and access were closed the day we went so try to call beforehand to ensure they are open.
For travelers looking for oceanfront stays, Point Montara Hostel provides both shared and private rooms with on-site laundry, free parking, wifi, and an espresso bar.
Parking Fee: Free for day use parking
COVID-19 trends in San Mateo County: 90% of hotels have availability 44% of flights are operating
