Mona Vale is the thriving retail centre of the Pittwater area with all the major Australian banks, many restaurants, cafes and a large supermarket. Situated at the junction of Mona Vale, Pittwater and Barrenjoey Roads Mona Vale was once a main stop for the Cob & Co coach run to Church point. Passengers stopped at the Rock Lilly to change into a smaller coach for their branch run to Newport. The Rock Lilly which still trades today as a restaurant and nightclub was a landmark as well as a hotel.
Activities
Lawn bowls may be played at Mona Vale Bowling Club and Pittwater RSL Club.
A leisurely 10 minute coastal walk around Mona Vale Headland, offers scenic views up and down the coastline and over Pittwater.
Beaches
The southern end of Mona Vale Beach, popularly known as "Cooks Terrace", is not patrolled by life guards and much less crowded in the summer.
Mona Vale Golf Club situated just next to Mona Vale Beach is a beautifully maintained 18 hole group 1 golf course. There are full club, cart and buggy hire facilities for visitors who are welcome to play all day Tuesday and Friday,as well as Monday and Thursday afternoons. For bookings phone: 9999 4266
Bayview Golf Club has an 18 hole course located in Darley St West
Mona Vale Beach is separated from the retail centre by parks and a golf course. The northern end is patrolled in the summer months making it a popular family spot. A 50m rock pool and kids swimming pool sits between the main beach and a smaller beach to the north called "The basin". Just across the road from the beach is a large park with a bike track for the kids and barbecues. There is also a shop which sells fast food. 
Just around the rocks from Cooks Terrace is Warriewood Beach, a patrolled beach with a surf club and toilets. This beach is popular when a southerly wind is blowing as it is protected by Turrimetta Headland There some excellent rock fishing spots around the rocks near the famous Warriewood Blowhole, a tunnel through the cliff which spurts water when the swell is monstrous.
Fishing
Mona Vale Basin is known as a hot spot for snapper in heavy seas. Fishing from the rocks between the Basin and Mona Vale Beach in slight seas produces a bream, snapper, luderick drummer and trevally.
Warriewood is another hot spot for snapper in heavy seas. Turimetta Headland provides the best protection from the southerlies allowing excellent fishing from around the cliffs and rocks when everywhere else is blown out..