Montara Mountain

Montara Mountain, positioned between the unincorporated community of Montara, California to the southwest and the city of Pacifica, California to the north, forms the northern spur of the Santa Cruz Mountains, a narrow mountain range running the length of the San Francisco Peninsula that separates San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. Its highest point rises to 1,898 feet (579 m) above sea level. An unpaved fire road, the North Peak Access Road, accessible from the Pedro Mountain Road in McNee Ranch State Park, provides access to the summit by hikers from the south. From the north, Montara Mountain Trail, Hazelnut Trail and Brooks Creek Trail provide access to the mountain with trailheads in San Pedro Valley County Park.

Due in part to its biologically isolated location near the end of a peninsula, the mountain has an extensive and unique biodiversity especially on the serpentine soils of the lower slopes. A number of plant endangered species are only found on this mountain, including Hickman's potentilla and San Mateo thornmint, Acanthomintha duttonii. The rare endemic manzanita Arctostaphylos montaraensis was named for this mountain.

On occasions light snow has dusted the summit. On clear days the summit provides spectacular views of much of the San Francisco Bay Area. Denniston Creek, Arroyo de en Medio and San Pedro Creek rise on Montara Mountain, with San Pedro Creek being habitat for endangered Steelhead Trout. Brooks Creek, a tributary of San Pedro Creek originates on the north face of the mountain and forms a tall thin waterfall, Brooks Falls, which is the tallest in San Mateo County at 207 feet.

Historic Crossings of Montara Mountain include the Spanish Explorer Gaspar de Portolà in October 1769, traveling along the prehistoric Indian Trail which traverses the ridgeline between Willow Brook Estates towards Saddle Pass following the high ridgeline above Green Valley and winding down towards Martini Creek. Remnants of this trail remain visible today. During the Mexican Rancho era, a road known as Camino Pedro Cuesta also traversed Saddle Pass and connected the Sanchez Adobe in Rancho San Pedro in San Pedro Valley with Rancho Corral de Tierra Palomares in Montara. Following the Mexican-American War of 1848, this routing was known as "Road Trail" and was considered to be nearly impassible to wheeled vehicles. In 1879 this steep and rutted Road Trail crossing of Montara Mountain was replaced by the marginally improved road known as the Half Moon Bay - Colma Road, which included road grades of 24%. This road which routed closer to the ocean and Devil's Slide terminated in Shamrock Ranch and persisted until 1915.

Mills Creek Ranch Road in Burleigh Murray State Park.

1 mile. One way. Easy.
Take Highway One south of Half Moon Bay for about 1 mile. Turn left (east) on Higgins Purisima Road. Notice the historic James Johnston House on your right. Continue for 1.6 miles to the marked parking on the left side of the road.

Information: Half Moon Bay State Beach, (650) 726-8819

To step into the Coastside's agricultural past, visit tranquil Burleigh Murray State Park. At the end of Mills Creek Ranch Road is a barn like none you have ever seen before. Built into the side of a hill, the long, two-story dairy barn curves along the slope on a stone foundation. This century-old barn, which combines English and Italian architectural features, may be the only one of its kind in California. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is currently undergoing restoration.

Past the barn, Mills Creek Ranch Road dwindles into a verdant creekside trail, which continues for about one mile.

Mills Creek, which flows year-round, is lines with red alder, flowering currant and twinberry. The ancient pillar-like blue gum eucalyptus trees are especially impressive.

2060 Touraine Ln

2060 Touraine Ln, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 +1 866.906.1535 $696,300 4 bed / 2 baths Square ft: 2,060 Style: Ranch County: San Mateo County Property Details Area Name: Frenchman's Creek Type: Detached Single Family Architectural Style: Ranch Square Feet: 2060 Landscape: Barbecue Area, Deck Foundation: Concrete Perimeter Exterior: Stucco Exterior Roofing: Composition Roof Flooring: Tile, Hardwood Garage Description: Garage - Converted, 3 or More Car Garage Heat Source: Central Forced Air Heat Air Conditioning: No Cooling Water: City/Public Water Sewer: Sewer in & Connected Lot Size Area: 7360 Lot Description: Level Lot View: View of Mountains, Neighborhood View Zoning: R100 MLS #: 81212845 Agent: Anthony Chen Brokerage: Intero Real Estate Services Features/Amenities Fireplace Details: Gas Log Only Fireplace Shower/Tub: 1 Shower over Tub Shower: 1 Stall Shower Tub: 1 Tub Property Includes: Free Standing Range/Oven, 2 or More Dishwashers, 2 or More Ovens, Built-In Oven Additional Features: Electric Water Heater, Garden House Windows, Gas Hookup in Kitchen, Gas Hookup in Laundry Area, High Ceilings, 220 Volts in Laundry Area,Skylight(s) Room Information Family Room Description: No Family Room Dining Room: Living Rm/Dining Rm Combo Informal Dining Area: Breakfast Bar, Eat in Kitchen Bedrooms: 4 Total Full Baths: 2 Rooms: Bonus Room, Library Ares: Laundry Area - Inside