Tier 1 · Essential

Point Montara Light Station

Montara · San Mateo County · Bay Area / Peninsula

Active aidstandingPublic accesseasyCalifornia State Parks

Point Montara Light Station, an active aid and HI hostel — Photo: Frank Schulenburg· CC BY-SA 3.0· Wikimedia Commons

Year first lit

1875

Current structure built

1928

Tower height

30 ft

Focal plane

70 ft

Optic

Automated LED beacon

Light characteristic

Fl W 5s (flashing white every 5 seconds)

Owner

California State Parks

Manager

California State Parks / HI Hostelling International (hostel operator)

Coordinates

37.5370, -122.5203 Map

Current hours

Grounds open daily. Hostel check-in hours vary (see HI website).

Fees

Free (grounds). Hostel rates vary.

History

Built 1875; current cast-iron tower dates to 1928 (relocated from Cape Cod). HI Hostel on site since 1980. Active USCG aid to navigation.

Why it matters

On-site hostel makes it a popular overnight destination on the San Mateo coast. Pairs naturally with Pigeon Point for a Peninsula lighthouse overnight.

The visit

Grounds open daily. Tower not open. HI Hostel on site for overnight stays. Short drive from Half Moon Bay.

Logistics

Recommended base

On-site (HI Hostel) or Half Moon Bay

Nearby food / coffee

Montara restaurants, Half Moon Bay restaurants

Nearby lodging

HI Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel (on-site), Half Moon Bay hotels

Accessibility

Grounds accessible. Tower interior not open to public (active USCG). Hostel on site.

Tier 1 Peninsula site. Hostel makes it a natural overnight stop. Pairs with Pigeon Point for a Peninsula circuit.

Nearby lighthouses

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

★ Flagship 12

Pescadero, Bay Area / Peninsula

Tier 1Active aidPublic accesseasy⚠ Verify

Iconic silhouette on the San Mateo coast. One of the most photographed lighthouses in California. The on-site hostel makes it a unique overnight destination. Tower restoration is a major ongoing story.

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Sources

Officialparks.ca.gov
Secondarylighthousefriends.com/light.asp
Secondaryen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Montara_Light_Station
Imagescommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Point_Montara_Lighthouse.jpg

Image rights: CA State Parks images may require permission. Wikimedia Commons has CC-licensed images.

Research confidence: medium · Last verified 2026-05-13