Near: Pacifica
Elevation: 0-1900 ft
Surface: Old Pavement/Dirt
Distance: 9 miles
Vegetation: Costal Shrub
Last Visit: 11/19/17
Montara State Beach and McNee Ranch are rare California State Parks that allow you to bring a dog on the trail, provided you keep them leashed. McNee Ranch is dominated by the 1900 foot Montara Mountain. The summit area is a bit anticlimactic, as its a cluster of minor peaks with very similar elevations and some communications equipment on the highest two peaks. The mountain is almost entirely covered in low coastal shrub, so the less than stellar summit is more than made up for by the sweeping views afforded along the trail. The best sections are the lower western ridge (which affords great views for whale watching) and the upper trail just below the peaks (which has open views to the north from the Farallon Islands to the San Francisco bay). January and March are the best times for spotting grey whales, though we got lucky on our last trip in November. March is particularly good for spotting mothers and young calves heading north. Remember your binoculars if you've got em. I was kicking myself for leaving them at home.
Rules
No permits or fees required. No camping. Dogs are allowed on trails, but must be on leash. Note that the North Peak Access Road intersects some trails heading north on which dogs are not allowed.
Trailhead
A small parking area are on the east side of Highway 1, about a mile south of Gray Whale Cove. More parking is available at a beach lot a few hundred yards south, across the highway. No fees. No services.
Route:
The trail heads inland for a few hundred yards and hits Pedro Mountain Road. Take this decaying old asphalt road up for about 2 miles then stay right to continue ascending on the N. Peak Access road (dirt) to North Peak summit. Some telecomm equipment at the mar the aesthetics a bit, but on a clear day the views will make up for it. The climb is mostly very slow and steady, with on a few modestly steep parts, and the trail (well, road) is wide and even so this route could make for a great mountain bike ride too. On the way down I highly recommend staying on the steeper west ridge for the best ocean views. Just keep going straight at the first hairpin turn on Old San Pedro Mountain Road. The trail you're looking for has a sign for the Grey Whale Cove Trail.
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| The Beach |
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| One of a few shady sections lower on the mountain. |
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| Looking north from the North Peak Access Road |
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| The view from the main peak |
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| A slightly better view from the second highest peak (the other peak with communication towers) just west of the main peak. |
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| Looking south from the secondary peak |
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| Looking down the west ridge along the cutoff trail to the Grey Whale Cove Trail. |
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| Watching a pod of Grey Whales from near the intersection with the Grey Whale Cove Trail. |
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