Montara State Beach, State beach in San Mateo County, United States.
Montara State Beach is a mile-long sandy shore in San Mateo County bordered by tall sandstone cliffs and rolling coastal hills that line Highway 1. The beach itself consists of wide, open sand with clear water access from two different entry points along the road.
A lighthouse near the beach was built in the early 1900s to guide ships along the California coast. This facility developed over time to serve the growing maritime traffic in the region.
Indigenous communities lived along this stretch of coast for centuries, leaving behind shell deposits that mark their settlement sites and connection to the ocean. These archaeological remains tell stories of the people who once gathered resources from these shores.
The beach can be reached from Highway 1 through two separate entrances, with the northern access leading toward Martini Creek and the southern entrance offering a concrete stairway. Visitors should be prepared for shifting sand conditions and watch for waves, as coastal weather can change quickly.
The sand here has an unusually coarse texture because it travels only a short distance from the granitic rocks of Montara Mountain before reaching the shore. This distinctive quality sets this beach apart from many others along the California coast.
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