HI Point Montara Lighthouse

Welcome to the Pt. Montara Lighthouse Hostel.! Breath in the fresh coastal air as you explore the coastline, watch annual gray whale migration (Nov-April), and peacefully watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean as you sip a cafe latte from our very own espresso bar!

Just 25 miles south of the hustle and jostle of San Francisco, the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel sits peacefully on a scenic bluff overlooking the Pacific. Set against the dramatic seascape of the California coast, this hostel offers the perfect getaway for the traveler looking to slow down and savor the salty ocean spray.

The hostel offers stunning views of the sea, as well as convenient access to hiking, biking, surfing, kayaking, and horseback riding. The isolated location also provides a rare opportunity to observe the local wildlife -- depending on the time of year you may catch a glimpse of gray whales cresting or elephant seals sunning themselves on the rocks. And, the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel is a certified green business, so your coastal getaway will feel indulgent, but guilt-free.

Though you may be escaping from the pressures of the everyday at this seaside hostel, you'll still enjoy amenities including:

* Free WiFi
* Free linens, blankets, and towels
* DSL Internet facilities
* On-site laundry
* Limited free on-site parking
* Hostel Grounds espresso bar
* Information desk
* Baggage and bicycle storage
* Secure lockers
* Wheelchair accessibility
* Group meeting space and/or accommodations available

History:
Originally established as a fog signal station in 1875, the Point Montara Lighthouse still guides ships with its beaconing light. In 2008 it was discovered that the lighthouse is actually recycled -- it stood on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, from 1881-1922, before being shipped across the country to be installed at Point Montara. It is now the only known lighthouse to have shone on two oceans.

Guest Rooms and Services:
Stay in shared Dorms or Private Rooms in former coast guard quarters and the historic fog signal building. Free linens and towels as well as daily housekeeping service are included, and Laundry facilities are available on site.

Cook your meals in the hostel's fully-equipped guest kitchen, then enjoy the ocean views in the dining room or outdoor picnic area with barbecue. Afterward, relax beside the woodstove in the cozy guest lounge.

In the morning, sip a fresh latte from the hostel's Espresso bar, while taking in the native plant garden in front of the hostel. Stroll down to the secluded cove beach next to the hostel to explore the tide pools, or just watch the waves roll in.

Activities
Vipassana meditation classes are held every Wednesday at the hostel, and guided bike tours along the San Mateo coast are available through a local tour company.

'Green' practices:
The Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel has been a Certified Green Business since 2009, and is committed to eco-friendly, low-impact travel. We are proud to use green practices at the hostel including:

* Recycling bottles, cans, cardboard, and paper.
* Composting all food and yard waste.
* Installing water conserving sink faucets and showerheads.
* Using only recycled paper products.
* Providing filtered drinking water as opposed to selling bottled water, and offering stainless steel Klean Kanteens at below retail cost.
* Purchasing only Energy-Star rated appliances and office equipment.
* Using all-natural, biodegradable cleaning products.
* Recycling spent light bulbs, empty toner and printer cartridges, and batteries.
* Using compostable to-go cups at the hostel's espresso bar, which serves locally roasted, organic, fair-trade coffee and espresso drinks.

We are not-for-profit
The Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel is operated by the Golden Gate Council of Hostelling International USA, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding, environmental stewardship, and world peace through travel. There is an additional daily membership fee of $3 per adult for non-Hostelling International members.


Please Note
This website is a third-party booking agency. For more detailed information about the hostel, please visit our website: www.montarahostel.org

Location Information

Location:
The hostel is located 25 miles south of San Francisco and 7 miles north of Half Moon Bay.

Within 1 mile: Montara State Beach, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

Within 5 miles: Gray Whale Cove State Beach, Pillar Point Harbor and Marsh, Mavericks, Linda Mar Beach

Within 10 miles: Rockaway Beach, Mount Montara, Seabowl, Half Moon Bay shopping and dining, San Pedro Valley Park