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Expert Review of Montara State Beach

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Parks and Outdoors Review of Montara State Beach

Away Travel Expert: Ann Marie Brown

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Saltwater Fishing

Parks and OutdoorsExpert Tips & Helpful Hints

• Montara State Beach is a long stretch of sand just south of Devils Slide that is popular with surf fishermen and beach walkers. It is one of the few beaches south of San Francisco where dogs are permitted (leashes are required). The Outrigger Restaurant sits on a bluff above the beach and is a great spot to warm up with a hot toddy after a windswept sunset beach walk.
• Just across Highway 1 from the beach is Montara Mountain, a great place for a hike or mountain-bike ride. The 7.4-mile round-trip trail up the mountain gains 2,000 feet from the sea to the summit and provides amazing clear-day views of the coast. The trick is to pick a clear day; the Montara area is notoriously foggy in the summer. Best visibility is usually in winter or spring.
• Some of the Bay Area's biggest waves are found at Montara State Beach and just south of it at Pillar Point. The famous Maverick's surfing contest attracts the world's best big-wave surfers who seek to tame the explosive 50-foot waves. Thousands of curious onlookers show up to watch the contest. Strong binoculars are required to view the surfers as the break is a half-mile offshore.