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Pescadero
Pescadero is a peaceful, coastal town of 600 people (2020) on the Peninsula, approximately 45 miles south of San Francisco.
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Understand[edit]
Pescadero (Spanish for "fishmonger") is a farming and ranching community located on the San Francisco Peninsula. It is a popular tourist destination due to its beaches, parks and local food.
Get in[edit]
The easiest way to get to Pescadero is to drive along Highway 1 until you see a large "Historic Pescadero" sign. It is posted in either direction. Continue for two miles, turn east onto Pescadero Creek Road and drive into the town center.
Get around[edit]
Map of Pescadero
Pescadero has no public transit due to its small size. A bus station used to be located at the corner of Pescadero Creek Road and Water Lane, but has permanently closed.
See[edit]
Pescadero Marsh is a marsh close to the town of Pescadero. In rainy times, the marsh attracts many special birds that nest there.
- 1 Pigeon Point Lighthouse (Pigeon Point Light Station), 210 Pigeon Point Rd (off California State Route 1 about 7 miles from Pescadero). 8AM-sunset (day-use area); Th-M 10AM-4PM (visitor center and store). Built in 1871, this 115-foot lighthouse is one of the two tallest lighthouses on the West Coast of the United States. Preserved as Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Features a visitor center, store and easy beach access. Special events are sometimes held here; see the calendar for details. Next to the lighthouse is a hostel with 59 beds.
- 2 Harley Farms Goat Dairy, 205 North St (turn onto North St from Pescadero Creek Rd and drive a short distance), [email protected]. 11AM-4PM. A well-known local goat farm that features tours and a cheese shop. It also hosts a monthly dinner during summer months, although this event is quite expensive. Free.
- 3 First Congregational Church of Pescadero. Built in 1867 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, the First Congregational Church of Pescadero is described as the first church built in Pescadero for religious purposes. Free.
- 4 Pomponio State Beach, ☏ +1 650 726 8819. 8AM-sunset daily. A beach known for its high bluffs along the coastline. At the base of sand stone cliffs that are not as hard to reach as steeper trails. Be aware that the beach is inaccessible during high tides. Sister beach of Pescardero State Beach. $8 per car.
Do[edit]
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- 1 Pescadero State Beach, ☏ +1 650 726 8819. 8AM-sunset daily. Explore the tide pools or watch the waves crash along the rocks; go swimming or take a stroll along the state beach. Good spot to watch wildlife, including birds. Sister beach of Pomponio State Beach. $8 per car.
- 2 Bean Hollow State Beach. 8AM-sunset daily. Consists of two beaches connected by the mile-long Arroyo de los Frijoles Trail. Pebble Beach is named for the many ocean-polished rocks on the shore, and Bean Hollow Beach features tide pools with various marine life. Due to the heavy surf and rip tide, swimming is not recommended, but it's a fine place to climb on the rocks or have a picnic. Do not collect the pebbles or disturb the tide pools. Dogs allowed if kept on leashes at all times. Restrooms next to the parking lot. Free.
- 3 Año Nuevo State Park (Año Nuevo State Natural Reserve). A state park known for its population of elephant seals. Visitors must be on a guided tour to see the seals from December to March. Self-guided tours are permitted during the other months, although a free permit must first be obtained.
- 4 Butano State Park, 1500 Cloverdale Rd, ☏ +1 650 879 2040. Sunrise-sunset daily. A popular hiking area with beautiful redwoods and 40 miles of trails. Be aware some areas are closed as of April 2023 due to damage from the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fires. Please note the park may also be closed after heavy rain. $10 per car.
Buy[edit]
- 1 Luna Sea, 290 Stage Rd, ☏ +1 650 879 1207, [email protected]. M noon-4PM, F noon-5PM, Sa Su 11AM-5PM. Luna Sea (a pun on "lunacy") is a local gallery featuring arts and crafts by American and Canadian artists.
- 2 Made in Pescadero, 216 Stage Rd, ☏ +1 650 879 9128, [email protected]. Sa Su noon-4PM, M-F by appointment only. A furniture store known for the quality of its products.
- 3 Pescadero Grown Community Farmers Market, 350 Stage Rd, ☏ +1 650 879 1691, [email protected]. Th 3-7PM. Features local food and children's activities. Organized by the community organization Puente de la Costa Sur. Please note some sources are out of date and still refer to the old address at 251 Stage Rd (at the site of the former Pescadero Country Store).
Eat[edit]
- 1 Duarte's Tavern, 202 Stage Rd, ☏ +1 650 879 0464. Restaurant: W Th noon-3PM, F Sa noon-6PM, Su 8:30-10:30AM and noon-6PM; bar: M W Th 5-8PM, F-Su 6-8PM. A local restaurant and bar known for its cioppino. Its menu changes daily and is typically posted on Facebook and Instagram.
- 2 Arcangeli Grocery Go., 287 Stage Rd, ☏ +1 650 879 0147, [email protected]. 11AM-5PM (closed Tu). A popular grocery store that sells various food items. It also has a sandwich deli with fairly reasonable prices. However, the store is best known for its freshly baked garlic herb and artichoke bread.
- 3 Off Stage, 350 Stage Rd, [email protected]. Sa Su 10AM-3PM; closed weekdays. A food truck that sources its ingredients from local farms. Its menu changes each week and is posted on Instagram.
- 4 Mercado & Taqueria de Amigos, 1999 Pescadero Creek Rd, ☏ +1 650 879 0232. A small Mexican eatery located inside a gas station convenience store. Its tacos were featured in The New York Times in 2006 and Sunset in 2007. Please note the restaurant does not seem to have an official website, and there is conflicting information about its hours. It may be a good idea to avoid early morning or late night visits.
Food is also available at Costanoa's Cascade Restaurant & Bar (see § Sleep) and various other establishments. Pescadero Country Store was another grocery store that was popular among locals until it was destroyed by a fire in 2016. Its owners have vowed to rebuild the store, although this has not happened as of April 2023.
Drink[edit]
- 1 Downtown Local, 213 Stage Rd, ☏ +1 650 879 9155, [email protected]. Has been serving Italian-style espressos and lattes since 2014 and contains a grocery store called The Sunshine that sells grab-and-go items. It is also a curiosity store.
- 2 Sante Arcangeli Family Wines, 79 North St (turn onto North St from Pescadero Creek Rd and drive a short distance), ☏ +1 831 200 0736, [email protected]. F-Su noon-5PM. Specializes in wine made from grapes grown in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Offers wine tasting and cheese for $60 per person (or $30 without cheese). $30-60 tasting fee.
- 3 Highway 1 Brewing Company, 5720 Cabrillo Hwy, ☏ +1 650 879 9243, [email protected]. Th 3-8PM; F-Su noon-5PM. A brewery located next to California State Route 1 (as its name suggests) that also offers a light food menu.
Duarte's Tavern is another good place for drinks, although food is not served during the extended bar hours; see § Eat for details.
Sleep[edit]
- 1 Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel, 210 Pigeon Point Rd (off California State Route 1 about 7 miles from Pescadero), ☏ +1 650 879 0633, [email protected]. Check-in: 3:30-10:30PM, check-out: 11AM. Located right next to the lighthouse. Has three different room types and a total of 59 beds.
- 2 Pescadero Creek Inn, 393 Stage Rd, ☏ +1 650 879 1898, [email protected]. Check-out: noon. A historic farmhouse that has been converted to an inn. Offers a country setting and nice views.
- 3 McCormick House Inn, 358 Stage Rd, ☏ +1 650 521 2628, [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM. A small but beautiful inn with two rooms.
- 4 Costanoa, 2001 Rossi Rd, ☏ +1 650 879 1100, [email protected]. A resort that offers a lodge, cabins, tent bungalows and a KOA campground. Features a restaurant on premises called Cascade Restaurant & Bar that uses ingredients from its organic garden.
Connect[edit]
San Mateo County provides free Wi-Fi access in multiple locations in Pescadero. See map for details.
Stay healthy[edit]
Be careful to check for ticks after hiking in fields in the Bay Area. There is a high rate of lyme disease transmission in the Bay Area. If a rash with the appearance of a bull's eye develops at the tick bite site, immediately seek medical help and treatment with antibiotics.
Go next[edit]
- Half Moon Bay is the first major city to the north at about 16 miles away. It features a busy harbor, as well as numerous beaches and seafood restaurants.
- Santa Cruz is the first major city to the southeast and is located 35 miles from Pescadero. It is best known as a countercultural hub, and has a fun bohemian feel and youthful vibe. The popular Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the dubious Mystery Spot are among the best-known weekend tourist attractions. Santa Cruz is also home to one of California's 21 Spanish missions. The beaches north and south of Santa Cruz are considered some of the more pristine areas of natural beauty in central California. While they are not good for swimming due to the cold water, several are considered a paradise for pro surfers.
| Routes through Pescadero |
| San Francisco ← Half Moon Bay ← | N  S | → Santa Cruz → Monterey |
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