Montara

Gray Whale Cove Beach

Good for Relax
7.7
 / 10 Very good
#118 out of 385
in California

About

Weather

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Historical
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+18 oC +11 oC
Air temperature
8.3 M/S
Wind
+12 oC
Water temperature
1.7 M
Wave height

Montara, California,

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Key features

Beach overall scores

Water
Excellent
8.5/10
Cover
Pleasant
6.2/10
Cleanliness
Pleasant
6/10
Amenities
Bad
0.5/10
Booking.com
"This beach is a great spot for relaxation and reading. It's a public area with free parking and stunning natural scenery, featuring a mix of sea and mountains. It's not too crowded, which keeps the area clean and peaceful. It's also a great spot for taking pictures and videos. Five stars just don't do it justice."
Dr. Zarek
"This beach is absolutely lovely and peaceful, with stunning views that don't require any additional spending. It's perfect for a family outing or a picnic, but it's recommended to arrive early as parking can fill up quickly. Additionally, crossing the highway to access the beach requires caution."
Sarai Rodriguez
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Booking.com
"This beach is a great spot for relaxation and reading. It's a public area with free parking and stunning natural scenery, featuring a mix of sea and mountains. It's not too crowded, which keeps the area clean and peaceful. It's also a great spot for taking pictures and videos. Five stars just don't do it justice."
Dr. Zarek
"This beach is absolutely lovely and peaceful, with stunning views that don't require any additional spending. It's perfect for a family outing or a picnic, but it's recommended to arrive early as parking can fill up quickly. Additionally, crossing the highway to access the beach requires caution."
Sarai Rodriguez
Read all reviews

Stays nearby

12 accomodations nearby
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Booking.com

Beach surroundings

Attractions

  • McNee Ranch State Pa... 16 min walk
  • San Pedro Valley Par... 3.7km

Transport

  • HAF 5.8km
  • Main St & 7th St 2.5km
  • San Francisco Intern... 12.2km

Localities

  • Montara 2.5km
  • Sacramento 144km

Travelers reviews

7.7/10 Very good
Average Reviews rating

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Questions and answers

What is the water and sand quality of the Gray Whale Cove Beach?

The Gray Whale Cove Beach is covered with soft and fine golden sand. It's very clean, the surface is pure and unmixed. The water is impeccably turquoise. The entrance to the water is also very convenient, covered with excellent fine sand.

What are the key activities at Gray Whale Cove Beach?

For the main activity - sunbathing, there are no sun loungers on the Gray Whale Cove Beach, so you need to take personal items with you and there is no natural shade, so be careful on a hot day.

Is the Gray Whale Cove Beach good for swimming?

The entrance to the water is very smooth, the bottom is comfortable. The area has the high prevalence of sharks so all swimmers should be very careful.

The waves in the Gray Whale Cove Beach are usually strong.

So the overall recommendation of the Gray Whale Cove Beach for swimming is positive.

Is the Gray Whale Cove Beach good for families?

Family travelers should consider the following features of the beach. This is the natural virgin beach with minimal amenities. It's covered with pure soft sand and the entrance to the water is very smooth.

Is the Gray Whale Cove Beach secluded and good for relaxing?

The beach is located in a natural area. During the high season, the beach can get very crowded, making it an unsuitable place for those looking for a relaxing holiday.

The following features add extra points:

  • Picturesque views of the sea and the surrounding nature
  • Mountains/hills in the vicinity

Is there any food or beverages in the area of Gray Whale Cove Beach?

There is no restaurant or bar directly on Gray Whale Cove Beach.

What is the closest accommodation to the Gray Whale Cove Beach?

There are 128 places to stay in the Gray Whale Cove Beach area.

Some of the best hotels in the area of Gray Whale Cove Beach include:

The most popular other types of accommodations nearby:

How far is the Gray Whale Cove Beach from parking?

The Gray Whale Cove Beach has a parking spot. It is not very large, so in high season it can be busy. It's not very close, about 300 meters.

Are there any attractions nearby Gray Whale Cove Beach?

There are 2 attractions near Gray Whale Cove Beach that are popular with travelers. The nearest are McNee Ranch State Park located in 1.2 km. See the attractions section for details.

What is the best time of the year to visit Gray Whale Cove Beach?

The month with the highest temperature in Gray Whale Cove Beach is September. Its average value reaches 20°C. The warmest sea is in September, the average value is 15°C. The coldest month is December with air temperature 12°C and water 12°C. See more details in weather section.

Is the beach good for sunbathing?

Gray Whale Cove Beach (California) is not fully equipped for sunbathing. However, if you are not picky and are willing to spread out on a towel, you can sunbathe here as well. The natural shade will allow you to hide from the scorching sun in the peak of its activity. Well, the photos of our visitors will be the best proof of that, all the available photos of the beach are above.Gray Whale Cove Beach (California) is a place for true nature lovers, but if you like sunbathing on the beach, then this location is not the best option. There are no sunbeds and umbrellas, and even there is no natural shade to hide you from the scorching sun. From positives, the presence of sand, on which you can sit comfortably. But do not forget sunscreen for this place, such a recommendation is relevant. Photos of the beach you can see above. All photos are taken by our visitors personally.

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