It consists of 8,000 acres (32 km2) of cliffs, seven miles of shoreline,[1] sandy beaches, dunes, coastal plains, streams, canyons, and hills, including the 1,347-foot (411 m) Valencia Peak.

The park has many hiking, mountain biking, equestrian trails and horse campsites, as well as a primitive campground located across from Spooner's Cove, a popular beach.

The Spanish Explorers who visited the Montana de Oro area in 1542 recorded that the Indians were attractive, friendly people who paddled out to greet them in canoes.

On the south bluff of Spooner's Cove they utilized a warehouse with a long chute that led down to a wharf and a loading boom to service coastal steamers.

Hoping to cash in on California's growing need for timber, he planted hundreds of eucalyptus trees, turning Hazard Canyon into a prospective lumber farm.