Montara State Marine Reserve, and Pillar Point State Marine Conservation Area

Powerful coastal upwelling brings nutrient-rich water from the depths to the surface and fuels a thriving marine ecosystem in these MPAs. This upwelling, combined with an immense rocky reef structure that extends more than a mile out to sea, creates the backdrop for one of the most biodiverse locations in the state.

On the shore, tidepools filled with mussels, barnacles, algae, urchins, anemones, and other creatures provide a glimpse of what can be found in the waters offshore. The caves, walls, boulders, and canyons in offshore waters are prime habitat for a suite of rocky reef species. Large numbers of reef fishes, including gopher rockfish, blue rockfish, canary rockfish, black rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, and monkeyface prickleback, roam the protective cover of the rocks, while abalone, urchins, and octopus hide in crevices. Sharks, rays, harbor seals and sea lions patrol the waters for food, and migrating whales including gray whales, blue whales, and humpback whales often stop in the area to feast on krill and plankton.

Beyond the outer edge of the reef in the deeper, sandy seafloor habitat, halibut, Dungeness crab, and rays are found in large numbers. This rich environment also supports seabirds like the sooty shearwater, western gull, common murre, Cassin’s auklet, and many other species.

For centuries, Native American Tribes in California have relied on marine and coastal resources. Many Native American Tribes in California continue to regularly harvest marine resources within their ancestral territories and maintain relationships with the coast for ongoing customary uses. In pre-European times, the Ohlone were a semi-nomadic people who lived in small villages between San Francisco Bay in the north, to the Salinas River Valley and what is now southern Monterey County in the south. The Ohlone traditionally subsisted on abalone, urchins, limpets, fish, and other marine life that abounded in the intertidal zone. The area around Montara remained free from European influence until the Portola Expedition of 1769.

The area near Montara and Pillar Point, as well as Half Moon Bay southeast of the MPAs, was used by the Spanish for grazing cattle, horse, and sheep from the San Francisco Mission, which was established in 1776. Following two disastrous shipwrecks in 1868 and 1872, a fog signal was erected on the coast in 1875, and in 1928 Point Montara acquired a lighthouse to warn ships about the dangerous reef. Buildings were raised around the lighthouse between 1900 and 1960, and a hostel was opened on the property in 1980 that remains in operation today.

The Montara SMR area stands as an example of California's early efforts to protect marine areas. The Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, established in 1969 to protect the tidepool area from habitat degradation, is now encompassed by Montara SMR, and continues to boast one of the most highly visited tidepool areas in the state.

Montara SMR and Pillar Point SMCA allow for many different types of ocean recreation. Easy to access and filled with marine life, tidepools can be explored along the coastline at low tide. Many bird and whale watchers frequent the bluffs, and a network of hiking trails affords views of the coastline and ocean.

No take is allowed within Montara SMR, but Pillar Point SMCA offers anglers and crabbers opportunities including trolling for pelagic finfish, trapping Dungeness crab, and more. Please make sure to check all regulations before heading into Pillar Point SMCA to fish. Visitors are welcome to stay at the Point Montara Lighthouse Hostel for easy access to the coastline.

A visitor center, coastal access, restrooms, and parking are also available at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach, within the boundary of Montara SMR. For those with bravery to spare and years of experience, Mavericks is a world-famous surf spot just off Pillar Point. Massive waves break there in winter, bringing many of the world's best surfers to challenge the ocean’s fury. This is an expert-only spot, but simply watching from the bluffs or a boat can be thrilling. East of Pillar Point SMCA, Pillar Point Harbor has a public boat launch, parking, and restrooms.

Montara SMR

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

37° 32.700' N. lat. 122° 31.000' W. long.;
37° 32.700' N. lat. 122° 34.908' W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
37° 30.000' N. lat. 122° 34.608' W. long.; and
37° 30.000' N. lat. 122° 29.920' W. long.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(65)(opens in new tab)

Pillar Point SMCA

This area is bounded by the mean high tide line and straight lines connecting the following points in the order listed except where noted:

37° 30.000′ N. lat. 122° 29.920′ W. long.;
37° 30.000′ N. lat. 122° 34.608′ W. long.; thence southward along the three nautical mile offshore boundary to
37° 28.330′ N. lat. 122° 33.489′ W. long.;
37° 28.330′ N. lat. 122° 30.830′ W. long.;
37° 29.180′ N. lat. 122° 30.360′ W. long.;
37° 29.740′ N. lat. 122° 29.970′ W. long.; and
37° 29.733′ N. lat. 122° 29.950′ W. long.

California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 632(b)(66)(opens in new tab)

Downloads for Montara State Marine Reserve

Map

Facts, Map & Regulations

Downloads for Pillar Point State Marine Conservation Area

Map

Facts, Map & Regulations