Pescadero

Understand

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.

Getting there

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.

Getting around

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

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. (updated Jan 2021) 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. (updated Apr 2023) 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. (updated Apr 2023) 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. (updated Apr 2023)

Do

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. (updated Apr 2023) 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. (updated Apr 2023) 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. (updated Apr 2023)

Buy

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. (updated Apr 2023) 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. (updated Apr 2023) 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). (updated Apr 2023)

Eat

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. (updated Apr 2023) 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. (updated Apr 2023) 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. (updated Apr 2023) 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 & nightlife

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. (updated Apr 2023) 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. (updated Apr 2023) 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