A smaller beach, but pleasant…read more There's a small parking lot. Plenty of restrooms. I actually prefer going there when there is a storm, to watch the waves crash on the rocks. It's a nice beach and I recommend visiting all the state beaches along the coast.

A hidden California beauty. However, #1 rule, especially here, is leave the beach as you found it!…read moreIt is illegal to remove pebbles from the beach, leave them be so that others can enjoy this special place along the California coast. Please also remember to keep our beaches clean and leave no trace of your visit, litter or otherwise. I remember visiting this beach as a child and I made it my post New Years 2025 goal to rediscover its beauty as an adult. These photos were taken in January of '25, for reference. Nestled in Pescadero, CA, Bean Hollow State Beach offers a vast expanse of different terrain along the coastline. There are technically two beaches here: one is south, but the northern beach is what locals refer to as "pebble beach." (This is NOT the same as the official Pebble Beach residential area near Monterey and Carmel.) The beach is downhill on the right side from the northern parking lot. There is also a beautiful hiking area from the north to south beaches if you are up for the trek. If you are careful, you can go down to the sandstone/rock formation area to the left of the actual pebble beach past the parking lot. It's a beautiful view to watch the waves crash against the rocks, but always keep away from the wet areas and don't turn your back to the ocean. Stay safe by wearing good shoes and only walk along the dry areas on the rocks. These waves are very unpredictable and you have to be aware of the tides as well. Most of this state beach has no cell reception, so either don't go alone or let people know your plans. Absolutely one of my favorite places on the coast off of Highway 1, it is about 25 minutes south of Half Moon Bay. Bean Hollow State Beach also boasts collections of Tafoni sandstone cavities/holes, a special geological formation that is native to California coasts. Well worth a visit in any season, as long as you're dressed for the weather. If you're lucky, you might even see some aquatic life, too: we saw a few seals bobbing in the water.

Nice beach with plenty of birds to watch…read more Free parking and restrooms. Not many people visit this beach so it's quiet and clean.

Beautiful beach to hang out on a hot day. Plenty of parking and so much real estate the beach never…read moregets too crowded. It's also a hidden gem since not so many know about it unlike other popular beaches on the coast. Took my drone out there o

Love, love, love this beach!!! The walk from the parking lot 2 the water isn't 2 far. The beach is…read moreclean & there's picnic tables by the parking lot as well as bbqs. I live over 2 hrs away, but I don't care. When I want a beach day, this is where I wanna gooooo!!! And today, there was plenty of sun 2 enjoy!!!

accessible since it is not too steep but ground is uneven. As of March 2026 there are so many tree…read morebranches and trunks all over the sand, just an FYI. The sand area is huge so there's plenty of space for people to set up their space. There is also a beautiful shallow river connecting to the ocean which is perfect for the kiddos. Beautiful beach with many beautiful finds! There are bathrooms on site but they are DISGUSTING, so come prepared.

Gorgeous beach with lots of driftwood. Very cool when you enter and see structures built by…read moreprevious visitors. Or you can make your own. Lifeguards were there during the hours when it's busy with families enjoying a nice day. Bathrooms are portolets so they're gross but at least they have facilities. Bring your own toilet paper just in case they run out. Bring your own hand sanitizer as there are no hand washing stations. If you walk to the right side after the cave, it becomes a "clothing-optional" beach. I did not know this but it's all cool. That side is very quiet and chill. No driftwood. No families. Nice calm beach for a stroll. Leaving from here on a holiday weekend is atrocious! 92 will be a parking lot. You can take Hwy 1 but be prepared for a longer ride home.

This is a really cool beach I like it a lot, but please be careful if you walk the cliffs with your…read morepets. I forgot to check for ticks before we left and when I got home, I found a large brown, what i think is a deer tick. Please keep in mind that some ticks are very small and hardly noticeable, and those tend to be the worst kind that can cause fatal paralysis in your pets. Be careful out there

Don't Marsh my Mellow…read more Update July 2025: the main Sequoia Audibon Trail is currently closed for construction until (allegedly) Oct 2025. There's a website to track the construction if you're interested: https://www.sanmateorcd.org/project/pescadero-marsh-habitat-restoration-and-resiliency-project/ In the meantime all the other trails are open and hikeable but be aware none of them actually connect and are all out-and-backs: 1) Butano Trail: access by parking in dirt lot on Pescadero Road. Put in 1958 Pescadero Creek Rd into your GPS. 2) Round Hill Trail: access at the end of Water Ln, by the park offices. 3) North Pond Trail: Access by parking at the north end of Pescadero Beach, and then you'll have to high-tail it across the PCH to get there. Normally, this Trail connects to the aforementioned Audibon Trail, but not with the current construction. Put in 18253 Cabrillo Hwy into your GPS for the parking lot.

I love this place! The first time we came was back in 2022 and we did the Sequoia Audubon Trail but…read moreit was closed yesterday due to construction. So we did the Butano Trail instead. And what a beautiful trail it was! It's not very long--about 2 miles out-and-back. But simply gorgeous with lots of birds, wildflowers and so peaceful. We had the entire area to ourselves (except for one couple towards the end). There's plenty of parking (there's about 3 different parking lots in the area depending on which trail you want to do or if you want to check out the beach), free and there are bathrooms. Not the best bathrooms but they're decent. We're always so surprised that no one comes here. But that's okay. We love the quiet.

Lovely property undergoing major rehab work. Ranger staff is friendly and willing to talk about…read morethe lighthouse's remarkable history. The Fresnel lens in the visitor center alone is worth the drive. Make it part of an adventure to Pescadero and its chill beaches nearby.

driving from Union Square in San Francisco through Highway 1 to Big Sur, this was our first stop…read more The light house itself was under restoration. The lodging area and whalers cove is worth a stop along Highway 1 Perched dramatically on a cliffside on Highway 1 , the Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park is home to one of the tallest lighthouses in America. Tied as the tallest on the West Coast at 115 feet, it has been guiding mariners along the rugged Pacific coast since 1872. The site gets its unique name from the Carrier Pigeon, a Gold Rush-era clipper ship that famously ran aground on the foggy, jagged rocks just 500 feet from shore on its maiden voyage in 1853. While the historic white masonry tower itself is currently closed to the public for a major structural restoration project, the park grounds remain completely open and offer plenty to explore. Be sure to check out Whalers Cove which is a scenic, secluded beach nestled directly below the south side of the Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park. Piece of history: In the mid-1800s, it served as a bustling hub for shore whaling operations, where Portuguese whalers would spot migrating whales from the bluffs, row out in small boats to hunt them, and bring them back to the cove to process the blubber. Today, the cove is a protected, peaceful sanctuary where nature has reclaimed the shoreline. Lodgings at the Cove: HI Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel If you are looking to stay overnight right on the edge of the cove, the primary lodging option is the HI Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel. The accommodation is unique because it sits directly on the state park grounds, offering an incredible, budget-friendly coastal experience that feels like your own private estate. The Accommodations: The hostel is comprised of four historic, white-picket-fenced houses that originally served as the homes for the lighthouse keepers and their families. Guests can book affordable, straightforward shared dorm beds, or opt for private rooms within the houses. below. Note: Because of its unparalleled location right on the Highway 1 coastline and its highly affordable rates, rooms and beds at the hostel tend to book out many months in advance, especially for weekend stays.