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Montara 86.4
#1226 of 5753 surf spots in the world · 🇺🇸 United States of America · California · near San Mateo
Works almost every day, no off season, thick rubber.
Works all yearIntermediate
Surf score86.4 /100
Surfable days100% of the year
Clean days38% groundswell + friendly wind
Groundswell55% period 11 s+
Typical size1.5 m 4.8 ft median
Water14°C a 4/3 with boots
Best time to surf Montara
The best time to surf Montara is January, November, December. The season runs Mar to Mar. In January the water sits around 14°C, so pack a 4/3 with boots, and the typical wave is 1.9 m. The nearest airport is SFO (14 km) and the nearest town is San Mateo (19 km).
| Month | Surfable | Clean | Size | Water | Suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 99% | 72% | 1.9 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Feb | 100% | 36% | 1.6 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Mar | 100% | 47% | 1.6 m | 13°C | 5/4 |
| Apr | 100% | 36% | 1.6 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| May | 100% | 13% | 1.6 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Jun | 100% | 11% | 1.4 m | 12°C | 5/4 |
| Jul | 100% | 16% | 1.3 m | 13°C | 4/3 |
| Aug | 100% | 23% | 1.2 m | 15°C | 4/3 |
| Sep | 100% | 40% | 1.2 m | 16°C | 4/3 |
| Oct | 99% | 51% | 1.3 m | 16°C | 4/3 |
| Nov | 100% | 66% | 1.4 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
| Dec | 99% | 56% | 1.8 m | 14°C | 4/3 |
Why 86.4
Seven parts, each normalised 0 to 1 and weighted; the sum is scaled so the best spot in the world is 100.
Consistency 26%
26.0
Clean days 24%
23.0
Groundswell 12%
10.9
Season spread 10%
10.0
Wave size 8%
4.0
Water comfort 10%
0.6
Access 10%
9.7
The detail
Faces 270° with 47% open water around it. Friendly morning wind 70% of days. Mean peak period 11.5 s. Days over 3 m: 1%. Mellow days (0.4 to 1.2 m): 27%. Months that work: 12 of 12. Coordinates 37.552, -122.514 (OpenStreetMap).
Spots nearby
Gray Whale Cove🇺🇸 United States of America · score 86.4Linda Mar🇺🇸 United States of America · score 86.8Pedro Point🇺🇸 United States of America · score 87.4Rockaway Beach🇺🇸 United States of America · score 86.6
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