Montara Mountain rises on the San Francisco Peninsula between Montara and Pacifica as the northern spur of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with a long human history and unusual natural importance. A precolonial Indian trail crossed its ridgeline, and the Portolá Expedition climbed it in 1769, recording an encounter with people of the Aramai of Pruristac. Later routes over the mountain connected ranchos and coastal communities until newer roads replaced them. Its isolated position and serpentine soils have preserved distinctive plant life, including endangered and rare species, while several creeks begin here and Brooks Falls forms San Mateo County’s tallest waterfall.

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