- Hours: Grounds open daily
- Cost: No charge to walk around
- Location: South of San Francisco, see directions below
- Best Time to Visit: Any time, but least foggy in spring and fall
After numerous ship wrecks along the San Mateo coast in the mid-1800s, a foghorn was installed at Point Montara, near Moss Beach. First sounded in 1872, the horn eased the way for ships entering the San Francisco Bay from the south. In 1900, a short light tower was erected to work in tandem with the fog horn and ensure an even safer approach to the Golden Gate. Today, the light is still an active aid to sea navigation, visible for 14 miles at sea.
Visiting Point Montara Lighthouse
The lighthouse and turn of the century outbuildings have been well preserved and restored. Point Montara Lighthouse is leased by Hostelling International and you can spend the night there in private or shared rooms located in the old Coast Guard quarters. You can walk around the grounds, but there are no tours inside.
Where is Point Montara Lighthouse?
Point Montara Light Station Website
Point Montara Hostel Website
Point Montara Lighthouse is located on CA Hwy 1, 25 miles south of San Francisco between Montara and Moss Beach.
