Point Montara Light

Point Montara Light is a lighthouse on California's Pacific Coast, featuring a 30-foot steel tower rising from coastal bluffs. The facility includes various buildings and offers lodging in private rooms and dorms with direct access to a secluded cove beach.

The steel tower was originally built in Massachusetts in 1881 and served as a beacon at its initial location for many years. It was relocated to Point Montara in 1928, where it has remained anchored to the California coast ever since.

The lighthouse complex operates as a youth hostel today, allowing visitors to stay in spaces that once housed lighthouse keepers and their families. This transformation has turned it into a gathering place where travelers from around the world share the experience of coastal living.

The site is located about 25 miles south of San Francisco and is easily accessible by car. Visitors should prepare for variable coastal weather and wear sturdy footwear to safely explore the bluffs and beach areas.

The steel tower is the only lighthouse in California that was transported from the East Coast, originally known as the Mayo Beach Lighthouse. This extraordinary cross-country relocation makes it a rare example among the state's coastal beacons.

Location: San Mateo County

Inception: 1875

Height: 9 m

Made from material: steel

Website: http://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=534

GPS coordinates: 37.53650,-122.51931

Latest update: December 22, 2025 14:56