Point Montara Light Station in Montara, San Mateo County, United States | Lighthouse | Historic Site

Point Montara Light Station is located 25 miles south of San Francisco on California Highway 1 between Montara and Moss Beach, look for hostel signs.

On the rugged California coast, just 25 miles south of San Francisco, sits the Point Montara Fog Signal and Light Station. Established in 1875, the historic lighthouse and turn-of-the-century buildings have been preserved and restored by Hostelling International - American Youth Hostels and California State Parks, in cooperation with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Explore the coastline and watch the annual migration of gray whales between November and April.

Nearby Point Montara Light Station is the James Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, one of the richest intertidal areas on the California coast. Extensive shale reefs are home for a wide variety of marine life, such as giant green anemones, limpets, purple sea urchins, crabs and snails.

There are several great beaches for swimming, surfing, jogging, horseback riding, and windsurfing. Cycle along the shore on the Bikecentennial California Coast Bicycle Route.