How to Get to the Pink Flowers Magic Carpet at Montara State Beach (Step by Step Guide with Map)
Looking for one of the best blooming flower fields in the Bay Area? Well this one gives you beautiful fuschia blooms paired with a scenic overlook of Montara State Beach. We’re talking about the stunning pink flowers magic carpet at Montara State Beach.
Waseem and I have been making our rounds up and down the Pacific Coast Highway for photography sessions and we always pass by these beautiful pink flowers blanketing the hill by the beach.
We finally decided to visit the Pink Flowers Magic carpet on our day trip to Montara.
In this post we’ll be sharing the best time to visit the pink flowers magic carpet and exactly how to get there.
How to Get to the Pink Flowers Magic Carpet at Montara State Beach
| Attraction Fee: None Parking: 2 lots Accessible: No – some light hiking needed |
Where Is Montara State Beach in California?
Montara State Beach is on the San Francisco Peninusla about 8 miles north of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1 or 20 miles south of San Francisco.
If you prefer to be more adventurous, take the samTrans bus line 17 from Linda Mar Park n Ride.
Montara Weather
Montara is known for it’s quite foggy town vibe but you will be graced with beautiful summer days once in a while. We got lucky on our day trip as full sun was out to grace the blooms.
It really is a 50-50 chance of good weather. I would still layer up or carry a sweater in case the fog rolls in. We’d recommend hiking boots or shoes with some grip as the trail gets a bit tricky.
When To Visit The Blooming Flower Field?
The pink flowers are known as the rodondo creeper or dew-flower and depending on rainfall usually bloom from early spring to early summer. The best time to visit these wildflowers in Montara is between March and June.
How to Get to the Pink Flowers Magic Carpet at Montara State Beach
It was almost mid-day when we started our drive down to Montara so it was already pretty warm and sunny. Mornings might be too cold and foggy but sunsets would also be an incredible time to enjoy this area.
How to Get to the Pink Flowers Magic Carpet at Montara State Beach (Step by Step Guide with Map)
1. Park At One Of The Parking Lots At Montara State Beach Parking Lot.
There are two main beach access points. Parking lot 1 is across from Second Street, south of the big brown Outrigger restaurant (permanently closed). The second parking lot is located on the northern side of the restaurant.
You can park in the dirt lot as well if parking is unavailable in the main lot. The paths down to the beach are steep so we recommend taking the concrete steps from Parking Lot 2.
2. Take The Concrete Steps Down To The Beach and Turn Left.
3. Walk Straight Down To The End Of The Beach
At the end of the beach on the left you’ll see a hidden narrow access point. The beginning of the trail is slippery so please be careful.
4. Hike Up The Trail To Get To A Stunning Viewpoint
The trail gets less slippery as you hike up. At the top, you will come to a beautiful viewpoint of crashing waves below.
5. Follow The Trail To The Pink Flowers Magic Carpet
You’ll turn slightly left from the top of the bluff and you’ll see the beautiful perennials showing off their bright fuschia colors.
6. Try Not To Step On The Flowers
The perennials, known as the ice plant or South African Drosanthemum Floribundum spread out like a beautiful magic carpet. We took a lot of great photos without stepping on them. There are bald patches in the area where you can walk in and around the flowers. It’s recommended to not step on the flowers as the possibility of them dying and never growing back is quite high.
7. If You’re Feeling More Adventurous, Keep Hiking Up Towards Montara Reef Viewpoint
You can hike up and get unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean at Montara Reef Viewpoint. Who knows? You might even spot some whales and dolphins while you’re up there.
Unique Stays in Montara, California
If you aren’t local to the Bay Area, we recommend you book one of these unique stays in the area.
Yurt + Cottage on a forested farm near the beach
Stunning Ocean View Coastal Home
We hope this guide helps you plan a fun visit to see the pink flowers magic carpet in Montara. They’re so beautiful to see in person, especially on a sunny day with the most scenic view of Montara State Beach.
