Abundant wildlife and serene wilderness dot the landscape of Pescadero. Offering refuge to birds and animals, Pescadero State Beach is a popular spot to view seals and sea lions in their natural habitat. You’ll find several beaches, as well as a breeding ground for elephant seals and the Marine Education Center at Ano Nuevo State Reserve. High on a cliff at Pigeon Point Light Station you’ll find one of the nation’s tallest lighthouses. You can’t go inside, but you can visit the grounds of the historical site, which dates back to the late 1800’s. Visit beautiful Pescadero CA today. For a list of all the great area beaches, click here.
When to Visit Pescadero CA
Average temperatures in Pescadero CA vary little. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit, the hottest months are July thru September. The warmest time of year is generally late August to early September where highs are regularly around 78°F with temperatures rarely dropping below 57°F at night. The busiest months for Pescadero CA is June thru September. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance.
Pescadero CA Attractions
Pigeon Point Light Station
Perched on a cliff on the central California coast, the 115-foot Pigeon Point Lighthouse, one of the tallest lighthouses in America, has been guiding mariners since 1872. The coastal areas surrounding Pigeon Point Light Station are rich with life. Marine mammals, such as seals and whales, can be seen regularly from shore as they pass by beyond the surf. The intertidal zone along this part of the coast, particularly in the rocky reefs that flank the light station, contains a diverse and numerous variety of plant and animal life.
Pescadero State Beach
The beach has a mile-long shoreline with sandy coves, rocky cliffs, tide pools, fishing spots, and picnic facilities. Across the highway is Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, a popular spot for bird watchers and other naturalists. The Reserve is a refuge for wildlife such as: blue herons, kites, deer, raccoons, foxes, and skunks.
.
.
Pomponio State Beach
Located 12 miles south of Half Moon Bay along the San Mateo coastline, this area provides access to miles of gently sloping, sandy beaches at the base of high sandstone bluffs. This day-use facility features a small lagoon, roaring surf – and a wide parking area, picnic tables, and barbecues.
.
.
Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve
The 235-acre Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, a part of Pescadero State Beach, lies on the eastern side of Highway 1 and surrounds the confluence of the Butano and Pescadero Creeks. The Marsh Preserve includes several habitats—a tidal estuary, freshwater marsh, brackish water marsh, dense riparian woods, and northern coastal scrub. The Sequoia Audubon Trail is the main trail through the Marsh Preserve. Please stay on the trails to protect wildlife and plants.
Bean Hollow State Beach
Bean Hollow State Beach is a beautiful cove secluded beach flanked on both sides by rocks. There is a one mile kid-friendly trail that links this beach to nearby Pebble Beach. Both beaches are considered part of Bean Hollow State Beach and are managed by the California Parks Department.
.
.
Things to do in Pescadero
Covewater
Covewater SUP of Santa Cruz is the only fully dedicated stand up paddle board (SUP) shop in Northern California. They are passionate about paddle boarding. Providing the best in stand-up paddling equipment & accessories, SUP classes and SUP rentals is their sole focus. Stand up and see the water from a whole new perspective! Telephone: 831-600-7230 Web: Covewater
Half Moon Bay Kayak Company
Paddle among seals, birds, and other marine life in protected Pillar Point Harbor or the wild waters of the open Pacific. Learn to surf in kayaks or travel in them throughout the world, stand up paddle board the tranquil waters of the harbor or bike the famous HMB Coastal Trail. Their fleet is made up of single and double kayaks, a wide variety of stand up paddle boards and many different bikes to suit your needs. Telephone: 650-773-6101 Web: Half Moon Bay Kayak Company
Santa Cruz Whale Watching
The Stagnaro family has been serving the Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz area for over a century since Italian Patriarch Cottardo Stagnaro settled in Santa Cruz in 1879. They’ve provided Ocean Adventures to thousands of people each year, and now offering the best Monterey Bay whale watching on their luxurious charter boat, Velocity. Telephone: 831-427-0230 Web: Santa Cruz Whale Watching
Sea, Surf & Fun
Since they take no more than 8 students at one time, their classes are very friendly and offer good value for money ! They take place in a very beautiful and safe spot of Half Moon Bay. You will enjoy an unforgettable experience and get basic skills at surfing. See you soon in the waves ! Telephone: 415-410-1102 Web: Sea, Surf & Fun
University of Surfing
University of Surfing has been teaching since 2004. Their amazing crew of Instructors are all experienced teachers that are patient, kind, knowledgeable, local and safe! They use the right gear at the right tide and fully licensed and insured. Telephone: 650-436-6603 Web: University of Surfinghttps://www.universityofsurfing.com/
Best Pescadero Restaurants
$-Inexpensive $$-Moderate $$$-Pricey $$$$-Ultra High End
$$ – $$$ Duarte’s Tavern
Duarte’s Tavern offers American country cooking, spiced by the Portugese roots of the Duarte family. They cook local fish depending on the week’s catch and a tavern menu of simple dishes, nothing fancy. Almost all of their vegetables and fruits are from the restaurant garden or grown locally. Telephone: 650-879-0464 Web: Duarte’s Tavern
$ Taqueria y Mercado de Amigos
The gas station at Pescadero’s crossroads gives no hint of the busy taqueria within, serving great tacos such as al pastor (barbecued pork) or savory lengua (tongue). Telephone: 650-879-0232 Web: Taqueria y Mercado de Amigos
$$ – $$$ Alice’s Restaurant
They use the finest locally-sourced ingredients, serving up mouthwatering food in a casual atmosphere. They’ve got several local microbrews on tap, as well as local wines. The building was originally constructed in the early 1900’s as a general store to support the logging industry. Telephone: 650-851-0303 Web: Alice’s Restaurant
$$ – $$$ Cascade Bar & Grill
Cascade Bar & Grill at Costanoa uses local, organic, and handcrafted ingredients in its offering of fresh California coastal cuisine. Cascade presents you with fresh, delicious food made from the best and most responsibly sourced ingredients possible. Cascade’s menu is updated seasonally. Telephone: 650-879-1100 Web: Cascade Bar & Grill
Best Pescadero CA Nightlife
Duarte’s Tavern
Duarte’s Tavern offers American country cooking, spiced by the Portugese roots of the Duarte family. They feature wines from the Santa Cruz mountains, and their fully stocked bar makes a mean Bloody Mary. Telephone: 650-879-0464 Web: Duarte’s Tavern
Apple Jack’s
They have a solid beer and liquor selection, stiff pours, sketchy bar food, a pool table, a small stage featuring excellent live music, a world-class jukebox for use when no one is performing, all housed in a historic old building sitting atop the Santa Cruz Mountains in the middle of the redwoods… what more could one ask for in a dive bar? Telephone: 650-747-0331 Web: Apple Jack’s
Joe’s Bar
Nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Joe’s is a fixture of the community. Like they say, “If you haven’t been to Joe’s you haven’t been to Boulder Creek”. Diane and Gina invite you down for some great libations. Bring your thirst and an appetite for fun. Telephone: 831-338-9417 Web: Joe’s Bar
Hop Dogma Brewing
At Hop Dogma they believe the soul of the coast is a little part of every beer that they create. They hope to share their beer and home with you soon! Cheers! Telephone: 650-560-8729 Web: Hop Dogma Brewing
Old Princeton Landing Public House & Grill
A year round venue for live music, Old Princeton Landing is also know as the Coastside’s Biggest Little Music House. They welcome a wide range of artists both local and touring on most weekends. Telephone: 650-728-7096 Web: Old Princeton Landing Public House & Grill
Best Pescadero Hotels
HI Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel
Hosteling International at Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a shared overnight accommodations. Featuring a hot tub overlooking the ocean, this oceanfront, Pescadero hostel offers free WiFi in all rooms. For more information, pricing, or to reserve your room visit the Hi Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel.
.
.
Half Moon Bay Lodge
South of San Francisco off coastal Highway 1, this Half Moon Bay, California hotel offers spacious rooms with free Wi-Fi and serves a daily continental breakfast. For more information, pricing, or to reserve your room visit the Half Moon Bay Lodge.
.
.
.
The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
Located on a cliff with a full spa overlooking the Pacific Ocean, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is surrounded by 2 championship golf courses. It features spacious rooms and 2 fine dining restaurants. For more information, pricing, or to reserve your room visit The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay.
.
.
Rosewood Sand Hill
Located on 16 private acres, Rosewood Sand Hill offers sophisticated accommodations in West Menlo Park. This boutique hotel features an outdoor pool and spa center, on-site dining options and elegant guest rooms with rain showers and free WiFi. For more information, pricing, or to reserve your room visit the Rosewood Sand Hill.
.
.
Little Redwood Grove
Located in Boulder Creek, Little Redwood Grove provides self-catering accommodations with a patio and free WiFi. Guests staying at this vacation home can use the fully equipped kitchen. For more information, pricing, or to reserve your room visit the Little Redwood Grove.
It’s a shame that as someone who lives in CA, I still don’t know many of these beautiful places. CA has so many heavenly places it’s a blessing! Definitely gonna plan some getaway soon this summer…. Thanks for this!
You are welcome and yes, you should know all of these areas 😀 But then I live in Florida, and we have a LOT of nice beaches as well, and I don’t know some of them. Thanks for visiting Pescadero CA!
Looks like an awesome spot. Still trying to work out the conversion of temperture as we use celsius here not farenheit. Does seem to me to me a bunch cooler than the australian hot summer, which appeals to me cause I so looking forward to the cooler months here. Maybe I need to visited CA. Maybe the link I included about LA might come in handy for anyone that in CA Anyways on holidays
Yes, and it is a bit cooler in the summer here. I live in Florida where it gets pretty warm and I love it! Thanks for visiting Pescadero CA!
That is very beautiful place, I never been USA before, but if I went there, California will be the first place i go! I like your photos and video, I can imagine how great if i was there, these hotels are very good too! Thank you for these information about CA!
You are welcome and you have to vacation to California, it’s awesome! Thanks for stopping by!
Another destination I am so pleased to learn about that I had absolutely no knowledge of. The US boasts some of the most beautiful and expansive coastal destinations, it seems! Just magnificent! I am especially drawn to the name Pescadero after having lived in Mexico and hearing the term with some frequency as a fisherman or fish dealer. The opportunities to see the variety of wildlife is very appealing. Thank you for yet another solid and travel inspiring post Leahrae. Another one for the bookmark!
You are welcome Bex and glad you enjoyed your digital visit to Pescadero CA! Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.
I think my cousins have visited Pamponio Beach before. It is quite beautiful down there! I think I will definitely have to visit Duarte’s Tavern during my next visit in Ca. I absolutely love the sights, the places and the people.
Thanks for this post! This has given me a bunch of new ideas!
Great Jacob! I am glad I could help. Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.
I love the videos! They give me a taste of the place before visiting it. One question. Is it possible to go fishing ? The name of the place reminded of my childhood when I used to go fishing with my daddy. Great place !
Hi Effie. Thanks for visiting my Pescadero CA review! Yes, of course you can go fishing here. The best fishing charter is Stagnaros Fishing. They will get you going 🙂
You blogs are just fantastic, I think you should open a travel agency if you haven’t done so already. The Half Moon looks like a really nice hotel, even thought the Ritz Carlton has a spectacular position. For a family of four two of them are grown up kids, which one would you recommend? Do you think one caters more for teenagers needs than the other? Thank you for all of your help
Thank you Barbara for your kind comments 🙂 I would definitely recommend the Half Moon Bay Lodge. I think with teenagers, this is going to be the best option. Second choice would be the Little Redwood Grove. I don’t know that one caters to teenagers more than another, but these two are better for families. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
I have never heard of Pescadero CA before. This looks like a beautiful place to vacation. I really think you have covered every area of this place very well and answered any questions I had. I guess the only question I have is where it is located on the coast as far as relation to a nearby well known city?
Pescadero is close to San Francisco. That should help you with where it is located. So up north where it’s a little bit cooler and not so hot. Perfect weather for such a wonderful place. Thanks for visiting!
The Rosewood sand hill is such a wonderful place to stay. I already know that is the hotel I will be staying at. It looks like paradise! With all the wonderful beaches close by and the scenery, I can wait to visit California. I also like the warm weather. I really don’t like it too hot. Will I need to bring any warm clothes with me?
Yes, I agree that the Rosewood Sand Hill is a wonderful choice for accommodations in Pescadero. I would take a light jacket just in case it gets chilly at night. Maybe even a lightweight pair of pants. Then just take along the normal summer apparel and you are all set. Thanks for stopping by!
I like going to the beach for relaxation and to catch the feel of true nature. Most of the time it is good to take the family there to have fun. Staying at the beach can be therapeutic and soul lifting.Whenever one is stressed or depressed it good to go to the beach and get the healing effect of nature.Thank you for this post, it is very enlightening and it truly shows us the different places we can go to relax.
You are so welcome and I agree that the beach does all that and more. I am glad you enjoyed my Pescadero CA review. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Leahrae,
I must admit after going through a good number of your blogs but I have no idea how to post a response over there, so I’ll tell you now how good you are at describing the stuff you are good at with amazing pictures
I find it insightful to read your blogging. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me comments. I am glad you are enjoying visiting beach travel destinations. Come back again!
Very nice – I enjoyed the video and all the photos so much! Do you have any other videos that are closer to the beach? I would love to visit this place. It looks so calm and reserved. Also, do you know how far Pescadero is from Los Angeles? I might want to check it out next time I visit my family in California. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Pescadero is not far from San Francisco, so that makes it quite a distance from LA. About a 6 hour drive in fact. But I have done the drive, and that in itself is something that is worth doing. The scenery along the way is breathtakingly beautiful. It would be so worth the drive! Here is an amazing video of Pescadero Beach. You will really want to go after seeing it 🙂
Thanks for this post. I so much love the pictures, Pescadero CA is really a beautiful place to visit for vacation. It offer so much natural beauty, and this is what I love when I go on a vacation.
This is one of the place I have decided on visiting in California. I am really looking forward to it. I am looking forward to vacationing here next summer when the temperature is warm. I can enjoy the natural beauty of the environment.
I am glad you enjoyed reading and learning about Pescadero CA. Yes, if you love natural beauty, then this is definitely the area for you. Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.com