The Montara Lighthouse is one of those places where it's totally impossible to mess up shooting or framing a photograph. It is possible to miss the turnoff while driving up Highway 1 from Half Moon Bay. I don't know if it was because I temporarily took my eyes off the scenery as I was trying to make a reservation for Sam's Chowder House on my BlackBerry or if it's because my husband, who is often obsessed with staying on the road and not causing accidents and, as a result, doesn't always read signs, but we missed it.
We realized that as we approached Devil's Slide and ultimately ended up in Pacifica. Devil's Slide is bordered by drop-offs on rugged sheer cliffs, and the place where California will one day fall into the ocean. The road was closed in 2006 due to an avalanche.
So, on the way back, I kept my eyes glued to the water in search of a blinking light. I spied it and could almost pinpoint the exact spot it would be as we came around the curve. Oops. We almost missed it again.
This lighthouse was moved to its spot around 1928, and its origins were largely forgotten or unknown for almost 60 years. Turns out it was never built for this spot; it was shipped there from Mayo's Beach in Massachusetts. The purpose of the Montara Lighthouse was to keep ships from running into the shoals and jagged rocks and sinking on approaches to San Francisco harbor.
I have more photos to show you but it's time for our Couple's Swedish massage at the spa.
Montara Lighthouse with waves crashing ashore by Elizabeth Weintraub
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Certified HAFA Specialist
My Sacramento Real Estate Listings
Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout the four-county Sacramento area. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate. DRE License # 00697006.
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The views expressed herein are Weintraub's personal views and do not reflect the views of Lyon Real Estate.
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Great- photo! We love Colroado but miss the coast....
Kellie Denver CO
Interesting post! I like your enthusiasm for your area, too.
That picture makes me even more excited that I'm leaving to visit Cali this week. Coming from flat Illinois, I can't wait to see the ocean and mountains!
What a beautiful scenic picture. You can almost hear the waves crashing against the rocks!
What a lovely picturesque shot Elizabeth !! ...and I agree, if you put your ear to the screen, you can almost hear the waves ;o)
Wow. We have a lighthouse with about 200 steps to get to the top. Seeing this one is a shock since they're so different. But yours is so cute! LOL. I guess cute wasn't the goal... how about quaint? I like it, regardless. I think it's cool =)
Hi Elizabeth... Scenic does not even begin to describe this shot! Breathtaking is more like it.
Okay, I'm totally jealous of the entire couples massage at the spa and the view. Funny thing though, my husband recently said, "Let's quit our jobs and go run a light house some where."
Elizabeth,
I hope you are enjoying your vacation on the San Mateo coast. I love living so close such overwhelming beauty.
marcy
Sounds like you're enjoying your get away, Elizabeth. Doesn't it feel good to put on a sweater? There's a hostel here at Montara Lighthouse; another down the coast a ways at Pigeon Point. So many fun things to do, so little time! Glad you snuck away for a couple of days.
Elizabeth~
OK! You know me...I am about to take flight just to see this in person.In the meantime, thanks for the photo!
Elizabeth - When out your way, I am so afraid of the drives with cliffs and drop-offs, but it is gorgeous!
This was a really great vacation. We stuffed our faces with crab, lobster, oysters, strolled along the beaches and slept in. It doesn't get any better than that unless you count the couples' massage, which was heavenly. My husband hates to be fussed over and has a difficult time under those types of circumstances, but he was a real trooper and suffered through it.
This short break was just what I needed to tackle my complicated world back in Sacramento this week.