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Montara - Real Estate

2005 Average Home Sales Price: $957,500*
Population: 4,378**
7 miles north of Half Moon Bay

The Coast Survey of 1867 named the area Montara, which is believed to be a misspelling of the Spanish word Montosa, loosely meaning forests, mountains and valleys full of woods. Today, Montara is the name of the town. The Montara real estate includes the Montara Mountain peak and a point of land next to Montara State Beach. The Point Montara Lighthouse was built in 1887 for $15,000. It was said the steam whistle could be heard as far away as San Francisco.

Today, the Point Montara Lighthouse has an automated horn buoy. An art colony was founded in 1908. This was the beginning of real estate sales, as 400 lots were offered at $150 each with easy weekly installments of $1.50. The Farallon Inn, built in 1906, was originally used to house Ocean Shore Railroad passengers and workers and sat next to the Railroad Station. Hints of the Montara real estate past can be seen even today in the German-themed, stained glass windows that date back to the original owners.

The Montara grammer school, built in 1915, is another example of real estate development and exists today as the Hayward School of Dance. Today the Goose & Turrets Bed & Breakfast, shows a present day view of the old town hall and post office originally built in 1908.

Montara and Moss Beach real estate is considered one of the three "micro-climates" between Montara and the town of Half Moon Bay. Making your home on a choice piece of real estate in this historic and picturesque area offers many opportunities for becoming a part of Half Moon Bay Country.

*Source: San Mateo Board of Realtors
**Population based on zip code 94037 2000 census

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