San Mateo County Coastside Walks & Explorations

San Mateo County Countryside - Walks & Explorations

July 24-28, 2024
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5 days/4 nights

Rating: Moderate

Max Capacity: 12

$850 Member Price

$900 Non-Member Price

We will be walking and exploring the primarily rural area nestled between the dramatic Santa Cruz Mountains and the powerful Pacific Ocean.  We will be walking along bluffs, on beaches, coastal neighborhoods and farm lands.  

The timing of this Coastwalk allows us a once-a-year opportunity to visit some local nurseries/greenhouses, wineries and farms for a “behind the scenes” tour of their facilities and operations. 

We will be staying at the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel all four nights.

All meals will be provided.

 The walks will be moderate and roughly 5 – 10 miles in length.

Max capacity 12

Dorm Style Rooms and All Meals Provided

 

 

 

Coastwalkers will hike the trails surrounding the  Pt Montara lighthouse, explore adjacent neighborhoods and McNee Ranch State Park and meander along the trails to to Grey Whale Cove State Beach.

Coastwalkers will experience spectacular 360 degree vista of bluffs, mountains, beaches, and the Golden Gate Bridge on a clear day.

Hikers will explore Francis Beach Campground view the varied terrain dotted with large arroyo, and rocks in the water. On this Coastwalk we’ll have a chance to walk through the beautiful Ritz Carlton Hotel property and walk through farmland fields of Brussel sprouts.

Coastwalkers will visit the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, the famous big wave surfing Mavericks Beach and Pillar Point Harbor for a combination of road, bluff and beach walking.

This Coastwalk is just right with a mix of easy and moderate walks with distances ranging from 6 to 10 miles.

Breakfast, brown bag lunches and evening meals are provided.

Accomodations:

Sitting on a spectacular bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, HI Point Montara Lighthouse offers unique beachfront vacation experiences near Half Moon Bay, CA. Just 25 miles south of San Francisco along scenic Highway 1, this is the perfect coastal escape from the city or the suburbs. Visit our beautiful property, which includes a historic lighthouse.

Wake up each morning to the sound of waves crashing on the shore, and spend your days relaxing at our on-site cove beach or exploring the charming nearby towns of Half Moon Bay and Pacifica. The Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel is the ideal getaway for taking in the great outdoors. 

The Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel. This hostel has dorm style type rooms with bunk beds. Coastwalk has reserved the Sea Lodge at the for our guests so you will only be sharing accommodations with individuals registered for this Coastwalk.

Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel

8800 Cabrillo Highway, Montara, CA 94037

Check the Resources tab for links for more information about the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel.

Please consider car pooling to this Coastwalk as onsite parking at the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel is limited.

If you would like to car pool please send an email to [email protected], please be sure the include the location you are coming from.  

Sample Itinerary –

This is a sample itinerary which is subject to change due to trail conditions and services availability 
  • Day 1 (Wed, 24 July):  walk from Point Montara Hostel to Grey Whale Cove
  • Day 2 (Thur, 25 July):  walk Devil’s Slide Trail and Pedro Point Headlands
  • Day 3 (Fri, 26 July):  walk from Venice Beach to Cowell Purisima
  • Day 4 (Sat, 27 July):  Farms, Fish & Flowers Coastside tours
  • Day 5 (Sun 28 July):  walk from Point Montara Hostel to Pillar Point Harbor

CLOTHING

  • Hat
  • Watch cap for evenings
  • Wind and waterproof jacket
  • Long pants
  • Hiking shorts
  • Hiking boots
  • Camp shoes
  • Vest
  • Long Sleeve shirts
  • Wool gloves for evening
  • Sweater
  • Underwear
  • Tee shirt
  • Socks
  • Bandana
  • Sunglasses
  • Swimsuit for hot tub at Pigeon Point Hostel* see Hot Tub Opportunity for details.
  • Bring a variety of clothing to layer for wet, hot, cold or windy weather

 

TOILETRIES

  • Soap or body wash, Bio based/biodegradable
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste & floss
  • Daily Medications and vitamins
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Comb or brush
  • Towel
  • Personal first aid items

 OTHER ITEMS

  • For dinner and breakfast, each Hostel provides plates, bowls, cups, and flatware. Bring what you need for lunch. 
  • Tupperware container, for left-overs and lunch
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • Day pack
  • Canteen, hydration pack or 2 reusable water bottles, 1 liter minimum each.
  • Hiking Poles

 SLEEPING GEAR

Montara provides all bedding and would rather you didn’t bring in your own.

What’s Included:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided.

Breakfast:

  • Coffee: (Regular in percolator with caffeine free available upon request), Teas, Cocoa, Juice, Milk (1/2 & 1/2, 2% Milk, Soy & Almond Milks)
  • Sweeteners- (sugar, honey)
  • Yogurt
  • Biscotti
  • Hot Cereals (Instant Oatmeal, and prepare it yourself steel cut oats available)
  • Granola
  • Walnuts or assorted nuts
  • Fruit (fresh)- (Blueberries, Bananas, Apples, Oranges / Cuties)
  • Fruit (dried)- Raisins & Craisins

Lunch:

  • Breads- (Multi Grail & Gluten Free)
  • Almond Butter
  • Fruit spreads
  • Cold Cuts
  • Cheeses (sliced)
  • Condiments, (Mustard, Mayonnaise)
  • Butter, (Regular and dairy free)

Dinner:

  • Dinners are included unless otherwise noted and will be provided by Coastwalk’s Volunteer Food Angels. 

Our Chuckwagon Wrangler will do their best to accommodate you but if you have special dietary needs please bring your food in a small cooler and we will be sure to provide you with ice throughout the trip.

 

Walk Leader – Patti Pope

Patti Pope is a long time Coastwalk member and has been on numerous Coastwalks. Patti’s children grew up on going to on Coastwalks and now grown adults, joined Patti on the 2022 San Luis Obispo Classic and signed up to become Coastwalk volunteers. Coastwalk is looking forward to the next generation of volunteers.

Patti is an educator who lives in Woodside, California.