Pescadero State Beach offers a stunning stretch of coastline with some of the best tide pools in the area. There's tons of marine life to find, and it's a great place to walk around and explore. There are multiple staircase entry points, though the access isn't very elderly-friendly. Once on the beach, the terrain is uneven, so it's better suited for people who are comfortable walking on rocks and sand. This is a great spot for people looking to gather mussels, rock crabs, and for fishing. The starfish here are massive, and the anemones are everywhere -- really impressive to see up close. There's plenty of parking, and we prefer the north entrance, which tends to be our favorite access point. The main downside is the bathroom situation. They're in pretty rough shape, and the park could really use some maintenance here -- it's clear many people avoid using them, which unfortunately leads to waste showing up in parking areas. read more

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Beach Slapped One-mile stretch of CA coastline that's just as jaw-droppingly beautiful as the rest of the area with its sandy beaches, high cliff line, and almost always cool, temperate climate. The Good: *Right off the PCH, which is always fun to drive. :) *Beach is separated into a north end and south end by Pescadero Creek. *Fishing is OK (I mean it's in the name!) *South End had picnic tables and a fairly clean restroom and was free to park. *North end also had restroom, but there's an $8/fee to use that end. *Must come here (South lot) to access the Marshland Nature Preserve across the highway. The Meh: *North side only has parking but no restrooms that I saw. *No dogs *No camping *No fires *Area is kinda desolate, as there's not much around. It is, however, only ±20min from HMB. The Ugly: *While a great Beach, it is kind of a schlep to get here from SJ, as you have to go North in order to go South to get to the beach. Conclusion: Great little lowkey Beach that has access to an amazing marshland nature preserve that's great for bird watchers. read more

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Great spot to go tidepooling! Please please speak up if you witness someone collecting starfish and wildlife!! It's illegal! read more

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Ocean overflow area was awesome for kids Quiet and clean area. Definitely recommended for kids to play for hot summer days read more

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One of my families favorite beaches along Hwy 1 south of Half Moon Bay. Pescadero State Beach is a nice well kept beach with paid parking at $8 a car. We usually come here if the other beaches are crowded. Been going here for years! Beautiful views of the big cold water waves. Could not swim here but put my feet only in the water. It's sometimes cloudy but on July 4th it was hot in the Bay Area so it was warm here. I recommend this beach. [41R,2024] read more

Pescadero State Beach - July 4 2024 - Beaches Near Me - Pescadero, California

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My second stop along the drive from SF to Santa Cruz and I was so glad I stopped here. Parking is free and the views of the ocean here are just beautiful. The rock formations and the abundance of waterfowl make it an interesting place to stop. There weren't too many people here, so it felt like I was far away from the cities and just able to commune with nature. I didn't have much time to stay, but I defintely took my time and enjoyed the view. My selfie here at Pescadero Beach was one of my favorite photos from my trip, and the smile on my face just said it all! read more

Pescadero State Beach is right along California Highway 1, located about 14 miles south of Half Moon Bay and 1.5 miles west of the city of Pescadero. It's one of the California State Parks in San Mateo County, California. The beach has a 1 mile-long shoreline with sandy coves, rocky cliffs, tide pools, fishing spots and picnic facilities. There are plenty of parking spaces on the dirt roads but fill up quickly on the holidays and hot summer weekends. There are many wild animals like sea birds like seagulls, egrets, seals, starfish, mussels, anemones in the tide pools. You may also enjoy catching sunset, wild flowers and rocks. It's a perfect place for a picnic. Tide pool adventures, or a walk along the beach. Remember to respect nature. Please keep the ocean clean. Please take your garbage with you. And never turn your back on the ocean. read more

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Even though Pescadero is geographically part of the Bay Area, I always feel transported to another part of the country when I come here - agrarian, pastoral, small town, creamy artichoke soup, chewy olive bread... but I digress. Before turning off on Pescadero Creek Road, I do take note of the beach on the right but just figured it was like the numerous beaches I passed by on Highway 1 - crowded, congested with minivans, no place to park, reckless kids running in front of my car, large caravans of families parading on the highway shoulder... But I digress. This time, I decided to take a chance and turn right instead of left. Sure enough, it was all those things I just described including a parking lot that had just one space available and it was serving as a mini-playground for restless toddlers. I guess I put an end to that. When I got out of my car, not only did I encounter small-mouth from the disheartened toddlers but also a craggy cove with the ocean beckoning through splashy waves, tide pools, and dramatic rock formations. It was nice enough though a bit precarious to walk through. I was wondering if that was it until I walked further up the parking lot where I saw a much wider and sandier beach that extended northward. OK, now that was a beach with the sand quite silky and a bit difficult to walk on. But it was worth the effort as it was quite scenic and bracing with the Pacific in a low-key mood that day. It also led to the adjacent marshland, a spectacular sight on its own, underneath a highway bridge I didn't even know existed before. RELATED - Exploring the Pacific side of the peninsula? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3aiDR9I read more

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[REVIEW WRITTEN: 3/7/21] WOWZA, what a beaut! What a drive! Coming from the South Bay to the Peninsula, something you have to see with your own eyes! PLEASE NOTE: This state beach has multiple entrances, so if you pass the first one you are okay! :) The Deets: + TIDE POOLS!!! All the cool little sea creatures you are able to see during low tide. Jumping from tiny pool to tiny pool I felt like a little kid again! + Bathroom/ Trash Can available and open. + Elephant Seal Season - is annually from December to March. Really cool site to see and you'll get a 2 for 1 with the tide pools. + Kid friendly coastline hikes. I just need to end this review with...this was a Sunday morning drive to lunch and that was it. It was 1000% worth it to sit down for an ocean view during my lunch! read more

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Always a nice stop for ocean viewing. Easy access to the beach and lots of free parking. There is a toilet but, enter at your own risk. We go into Pescadero and get deli sandwiches at Archangeli's and eat at the beach. read more

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This beach is big. I came here on a Sunday evening and it was EMPTY. It felt creepy honestly. It was so desolate. I think I saw about 6 people in passing while I was walking along the beach. I purposely went here because I wanted to see if I could see/feel some fog. The fog was in but did not yet reach ground level. It was still awesome though. I was cold so I bought an extra layer of clothing. Always bring an extra jacket and some pants if you go to the coast in Northern California. It gets so chilly and windy! I love Pescadero. Great place to come if you want to be alone and clear your mind. read more

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So happy to get to enjoy a beach day. They have been closed for Covid, and had been strictly enforced by law enforcement the last few times we drove down to get away from the heat of the East Bay. We stopped at a few other beaches on our way, but they all said $8 to park. This one didn't have a ticket booth to collect payment, and had spots- so we picked this one. We only had about 2 hours, if we were planning to stay all day, $8 would have been fine. The beach only had a few other groups. Social distancing was no problem. I enjoyed finding pretty rocks. I really liked the lack of kelp on the shoreline, and also it didn't have that dead fish smell some beaches have. It's a short walk from the car to the beach. There was a restroom available as well. read more

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This has been our go-to beach over the past few months. We usually come on a Friday afternoon (or, if I can take a whole day off, a bit earlier). We can usually find parking and there's an open bathroom. We've been parking at the northernmost parking lot; the next one down puts you atop some bluffs that are difficult to climb down if you want to hang out in the creek (Butano Creek). We usually set up our tent near the parking lot and spend hours eating lunch, reading, napping, and playing with sand. We also enjoy walking along the beach down to the creek; at low tide the kids like walking through the "sea cave" - a tunnel connecting the creek to the ocean. Haven't tried to come on a weekend, but I imagine it gets packed. All of our beach days have been pleasant except for one in mid-July, when it was too windy to put up our tent and there was sand swirling all about. We still stayed for the day, but sand got into everything. On the plus side we got to watch some wind surfers and kite boarders do their thing on a gusty day. Looking forward to coming again, maybe one more time before it gets too cold. read more

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This beach has gone downhill so bad and desperately need a revamp. Please install a working restroom here instead of just an outhouse! The rusting and broken bridge rail is a danger to the public especially children. It's completely falling to pieces it's so rotten. Please also expand the access walking path from the parking lot to the beach. It is so narrow that we barely can make our way through. There are too many drift woods strewn all across the beach that need to be cleared away. The beach itself is located next to a cliff and a cove is still an amazing find for young children to explore. The marsh and little river flowing to and from the ocean is great for kids to play and explore. I hope to see improvements the next time I visit. It seems they are blocking off the highway section between the entrance of the parking lot across the bridge and down towards the entrance of the beach itself for some kind of construction work right now. Hopeful.... read more

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Pescadero State Beach is a really neat beach to visit. It's attached to the Pescadero Marsh Nature Preserve. I think the important thing to keep in mind about this beach is that unlike some of the beaches in the area, there are more restrictions. There are some restrictions to this park because it is part of a nature preserve: No dogs are allowed, no fires, and no fireworks. I think these restrictions are to help the amazing birds that live there. There have been 200 species of birds recorded here according to the Coastal State Park Association. 60 kinds nest here. There are four trails: Butano trail, Round Hill Trail, North Pond trail, and Sequoia Audubon Trail. Twice a month they have guided tours of the area: "The first Sunday of the month at 10:00 a.m. and on the third Sunday of the month at 1:00 p.m. The walks last about two hours. Sturdy shoes and layered clothing are advised. Bring water and binoculars." (According to the park's website.) If you make a visit you will be sure to see birds, mussel shells, drift wood, tide pools and great views. read more

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Beautiful. Lots of space, and sand galore. I would think this would be an ideal beach for a beach run. You can run on sand for miles, it seems. The only downside to this beach, is I could only find one bathroom at south parking lot. Calling it a bathroom, is perhaps an exaggeration, one toilet. If I could improve this beach with one suggestion, it would be to have some basic facilities for restrooms and changing (for swimmers, kids, and surfers). Still, you can walk on this beach and have lots of sand, water, and waves. Next time I go, I want to explore the marsh area more. I could see cranes in the marsh area, and snowy plovers (so cute) on the beach, so if you're into birdwatching, you will really like this place too. read more

Within 30 steps of the parking lot you'll be on the rocks jutting into the ocean. Very basic: it's not serene enough for nauseating couples in denim taking proposal pictures, nor is it dangerous enough to be the site of a Fox special, "When Nature Kills 3". I entered on the rocky cliffs of the south side, from which you can see the mile-long, wide and sandy north beach, which has some picnic spots, a single restroom without running water, and some spots perfect for pescaderos (fishermen) looking for fish and mussels, for which a license is required. A few careful steps take you down to tidepools. They are not the biggest and best tidepools, but they're free. If that's your goal, check a tides chart and plan accordingly. Allegedly, the Steller sea lion and harbor seal sun themselves here, but they must have been social distancing. The website says parking is $8 but I didn't see any signs. It must have been written the same way my wife writes, "Do not eat this cake", which I also never see. A popular website that advises people on trips ranked it #5 of 37 things to do in Half Moon Bay, right between #4 paying $60 for fake crab in the village and #6 pulling your yoga mat out of a goat's mouth. read more

On a mission to watch the sun set at Half Moon Bay, we decided it was better to ensure the event was not missed by instead stopping just south of our intended destination at Pescadero Beach. It is a state beach, so a fee of $8 per vehicle is required for day use. Basic restrooms are available, and the parking lot is a decent size. It is right off the highway, so convenient for a quick (unplanned) visit. We saw an adorable young couple posing for wedding photos on the beach. A man had waded out in the water a little ways to fish. Teens were walking hand in hand in the surf. Swaths of flowers decorated the sand, and while the shore is only a small strip of land, it was not too crowded. I always forget how cold West coast beaches can be, but there were some walls of rock that offer protection from the wind, and plenty of spots to sit if you don't wish to recline in the sand. Just as the sun was lowering, clouds began to billow in. We gave up on seeing a glorious ocean sunset, and began to trudge to the car. But then....the sky softened. The clouds were edged with touches of pink, and then everything turned almost fuchsia. It was stunning. Everyone on the beach paused and gazed in silence, and it was one of those small, rare moments where you feel connected to every being around because you are all experiencing this flash of magic. And I suppose that could have happened, and probably did happen, at all the other beaches along the coast, but for me, it made Pescadero special. It inspired me to seek out and share this sort of experience with others more often in the future. Get out here so you can feel this, too! read more

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One of the many beaches up and down Highway 1. It's been raining for over a week, so the sunshine and the ocean were a lovely respite. So much nicer to visit in the summer than in the winter. Started 2021 with a drive on Highway 1 and ended my first full year in California (every single day in "California, The Beautiful"...and I don't mean that with sarcasm like some other people do when they're referring to quakes and fires!) with the same lovely experience. Took the scenic route back home via La Honda through the beautiful redwood forest. A bit of a gloomy drive on a sunny day because those trees are huge...but still gorgeous! All I want is some Vitamin D, Vitamin Sea, and Vitamin Tree all year around! Is that too much to ask for? read more

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This is our "Go To" beach along the coast. It's a bit of a drive south from Half Moon Bay, but the beach is generally not crowded. We like the dunes and the "just long enough" walk to "Pirate Cove" from the parking area. Parking is decent, I rarely see the lot completely full. The last time we went there was an attendant collecting the $8 fee instead of the usual "leave your money in an envelope." We are usually treated with all kinds of birds and sometimes big time sea life. It's not rare to see seals out by the rocks and sometimes even in the inlets, occasional dolphins, too! We bring a picnic, hike, play, stomp on seaweed and look for sand dollars. The kids love to climb up the rock bluff just under the parking lot. (We prefer the lot before the bridge for beach access. There are two). Plan for fog and wind, which sometimes calms during the noon-3 pm period. As with any day on the CA West Coast, it can be chilly and breezy, so plan accordingly. The waves can get pretty big, sometimes we see surfers and occasional boogie boarders, along with fisherman (casting from shore). There are lots of crabs along the rocks at the lower end of the beach and fun driftwood sculptures that change with the tides and storms. read more

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Stop here at low tide to scramble through tide pools. At high tide the waves crash with power closer in. During warmer summer days this is a great swim spot with a protected area for kids. Enjoy. read more

Pescadero State Beach - This is a great beach rain or shine. Today the waves were thundering in and the skies were just so gray that the horizon was lost. - Beaches Near Me - Pescadero, California

A beautiful beach with sandy flats, hills covered in sea fig and hottentot fig, tide pools for exploring, and home to lots of seabirds like pelicans and Caspian Terns. There are parking lots that are free along the PCH. We pulled into the "Cabrillo S Hwy Parking" lot on Google maps. Parking was free and there were ample spots. There was a little walkway from the parking lot to the dunes on the beach. There are a few carved out paths that you can follow down. You can't always cross over to the other dunes from these paths so you might have to walk up to the parking lot, walk across the lot, and then go down another path from there. If you're all the way down at the beach you can walk along the beach. We spent a lot of time on the high ground watching the birds fish for their meals and flock from one area to the next. The walking along the cliffs is really pleasant. There are generally stairs or light slopes to get up and down although I wouldn't recommend bringing a stroller on them. A very lovely beach to spend some time at! read more

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Was on a drive with my mom down hwy 1. There are so many beaches along the way from Pacific toward Santa Cruz. This was one of our stops It is a nice beach. Some sandy areas with rocky areas. I do not remember if this particular one was a paid state beach or not. There are walking trails...high Crest upon rocks...beautiful waves and flowers. It would be a nice picnic area. If your driving along the hwy. This is a great stop. read more

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Come here for negative tides if you want the best tide pool experience!! Right off the pch and plenty of parking. Bundle up cause it's cold and windy 90% of the time. Love this spot!!! read more

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We parked here two mondays ago when it was fifty degrees and the winds were fierce and then we read our books. I felt that I was a part of nature. The scene was breathtaking. The bathroom scene was not but what can you do about that i do not know... read more

Very clean beach with some dining tables for the family to get away from the wind and enjoy the company. $8 parking fee No dogs allowed No drones allowed Tho both were seen on the beach either way. Wasn't really enforced. I came with friends to crab, which wasn't a great spot for. Tides were all over the place. Lots of holes so could be good for fishing during high tides. read more

This is the place to eat your sandwich from Norm's Grocery store in Pescadero. Very beautiful n relaxing. Fishing if you bring your tools. read more

Pescadero State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pescadero, California

Pescadero State Beach is a mile-long varied beach, with nice stretches of sand, rocky outcroppings, tide pools and dunes. It stretches north, its southern point near Pescadero Creek Road. Three parking lots are available. The southernmost lot is a dirt, pothole-filled parking lot opposite Pescadero Creek Road (the road to Pescadero). This lot has access to some nice rock outcroppings and tide pools, but not as much beach. A tiny trail, overgrown with succulents, leads from the northernmost part of the dirt parking and connects with the middle parking area after a quarter-mile walk. Better parking is in the two cement parking lots a little farther north, both of which have nice beach and dune access. The town of Pescadero is a short drive away, and has food and gas pitstops. Near Pescadero also is the beautiful and little-known redwood park, Butano State Park. read more

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Was on our way to Pescadero but had some extra minutes to spare before heading over, and lo and behold, Pescadero State Beach was right there waiting for us! Parking was not a problem (just drive right off of the 1) and you could see the ocean right from your car. It was pretty magical! Awesome picture spots, and a beautiful place to watch the waves, get some fresh air, and sit on the rocks. If you're feeling adventurous, I could imagine people have gone down to the ocean by way of the cliffs, but that was not my story this time. It wasn't too crowded when we went around 10am on a Saturday morning, and the fog wasn't too bad either. Five stars for accessibility, picturesque landscape, cool breeze, and free parking! read more

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Parking cost $8 you should saved a ticket and you can use the ticket to park your car at any other State beaches nearby. We came to this beach on Sunday and it wasn't crowded at all. I loved how close from the parking lot to the beach. They have one bathroom not clean very dirty. But is better than don't have a bathroom. The beach is beautiful, we enjoyed and we had a lot of fun. read more

Pescadero State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pescadero, California

I've been here before and was just here again today. A bit chilly and windy, this beach has so much beauty and character. Paths, rocks, sea shells, tide pools, crabs, harbor seals, and more. Pescadero State Beach is a great little place to visit another world. read more

Went there on a Sunday afternoon and found so many people on the beach (felt like there were parties going on). But we still were able to practice social distancing and enjoy the sand and waves. Probably wouldn't come here again tho before the COVID dies down. read more

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What a wonderful beach. I visited all three sections but the middle one is my favorite. There's a great bench overlooking the sea as well as stairs to the beach level so you can explore the tide pools and climb on the rocks. A ready stream of visitors but not overwhelming crowds like some others nearby. Definitely recommend a stop here. read more

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Who says that playing at the beach can't be fun or educational during a storm? If the storm is big enough and there is a lot of muddy water coming down the creek you can actually see how the fresh water and salt water mix together. A great place to see this is at Pescadero State Beach which is located right where Pescadero Creek and Butano Creek come together and fall into the ocean. We were fortunate enough to see it after one of the biggest storms that hit California in a long time which sent crazy amount of water rushing towards the ocean. It was super muddy so you could totally see the mixing of the water and you can watch it going away with the current way off the shore. You could also see right off the mouth of the lagoon the force of waves coming in from the ocean and clash with the flood waters that are coming down the creeks. So instead of the waves crashing into the shore they are crashing in off the shore into the flood waters. read more

Pescadero State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pescadero, California

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We stopped by, right off of Highway 1, headed south to Santa Cruz. This breathtaking view of the ocean has a large expense of beach that screamed peace and beauty. There is a long rockway that leads out to the ocean with some well-worn steps in the sand for a short distance. It's an easy walk over the rocks to about halfway out, then it becomes a bit precarious and/or requires stepping on sea creatures which we weren't going to do. Completely stunning but really windy in December, it was fantastic to see the crabs, shells, different rock formations and simply stare out at the ocean. You can walk down to the sandy beach which jets out a bit away from the highway and has a feeling of being "in" the ocean which was really cool. The parking lot is just dirt. It was great to be out there, even with the eyeball rock. We wanted to stay much longer but it was getting dark and cold. I bet this place is swarmed in the summer, but there were only 3 cars that came and went while we were there and we were alone for much of our visit. Perfection! read more

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Beautiful beach with great weather and wildlife spotting. Limited food options due to early closing hrs for most restaurants, so pack a lunch/dinner. Also bring binoculars if you have them. read more

This is a great beach to visit along Highway 1 south of Half Moon Bay! It isn't crowded too often and there is usually ample parking too. There are many beautiful beaches along this stretch of highway. However, this is one of the quieter and more unique spots. read more

Pescadero State Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pescadero, California

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We were there and the weather was around 68-71deg--still, it was cold and windy. If you're looking for a place this summer, then this beach is for you. It's wide, free, and clean. It's good for the family. But just bring an extra jacket or blanket just in case the weather changes in the next 10 mins. :)) read more

The feel of cold water around your ankle. The sand moving underneath your feet. Playing catch with the powerful waves in front of you. The union of the ocean and the sky not knowing where the other one ended and other one began. The fresh air filling your lungs. The clean sand without any trace of seashells or debris. My boyfriend and I planned to go to Half Moon Bay for an early dinner after attending my nephew's party. We were just cruising on Highway 1 and enjoying the beauty around us: the farmstand selling fresh artichokes and peas, the Christmas tree farms, the nurseries, the beaches. I suggested we stopped by Pescadero Beach. I just wanted to wade and feel the cold water on my legs. It was not sunny but it wasn't cold. There were only about 5 families on the beach. Some were having a barbecue. On one side a wedding ceremony was being held quietly. The place was very calm and peaceful. I was not dressed for the beach. I was wearing a pair of heels. I took them off. BF held them for me. I rolled up my tights. Next thing I knew I was squealing with laughter like a little kid. I was soaked up to my waist when the waves caught up with me. It was running back and forth while my boyfriend was taking pictures after pictures and laughing at me. I didn't know I was playing in the water for about an hour. I just realized, beautiful moments like this were very rare. You just need to seize it, enjoy it, embrace it whether you were prepared for it or not lest it goes away......Just like falling in love........... I was completely drenched up to my waist and covered with sand when we left the beach but it did not matter. I had so much fun and felt more at peace. What a simple but beautiful afternoon. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/-Bg8hsmFEV0m_JDu2M0K-A?select=ZMSvLcPheCUxJ98hrbJ4ow read more

Pescadero State Beach - Beautiful afternoon - Beaches Near Me - Pescadero, California

Only a mere 30 minutes from the vibrancy of the greater metro Bay Area, Pescadero State Beach is definitely a gem, and undoubtedly one of the finer beaches I've been to in Northern California. Tucked away in a semi-secluded corner along the highway, it is highly visible to passing traffic... for only a split second. Pescadero isn't the typical flat, Baywatch style, stretched out beach you are accustomed to. It's practically a short piece of land in a crescent shape that you would not even see had you not been specifically searching for it. Access might be a little tricky if you are also mowing along the highway at a steady clip, since the turnoff is very short, and disappears before you even know it. However, if you are able to spot the location, parking is fairly ample, and apparently goes by the "honor system." I have never seen an actual attendant in the booth to collect the posted $6 fee, so it's pretty much up to you. Once parked, the beach is only a stone's throw from the lot, and provides easy access if you need to go back and forth for supplies. The sand is very clean, with minimal trash, seaweed, or driftwood, and is the perfect spot for a picnic or to hold your own oceanside athletic events. Furthermore, due to the remoteness, the crowd is extremely sparse, which lends to Pescadero being a very romantic spot to take your boo. Considering its close proximity to the actual city of Pescadero, the popular tourist spot for Bay Area residents, and home of the famous Duarte's Tavern (http://www.yelp.com/tsr?r=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yelp.com%2Fbiz%2FkvNUHPQFxNaVK5gkjhTHWQ%23hrid%3Al6mdkgvTwA8XshK-WLoHFw%2Fquery%3Aduartes&biz_id=kvNUHPQFxNaVK5gkjhTHWQ&location=Pescadero%2C%20CA&zip=94060&type=composite&position=1&description=duartes), it's a surprise that the beach doesn't attract more visitors. Not that I would want any, since it is just perfect the way it is. As a matter of fact, if you don't read this review within three days of me posting it, you will probably never see it again because I sure don't want the word to spread about my secret spot. P.S. If you do a little exploring, there is a "hidden" beach along the other side of the rocks, which is ideal for a little private time with that special someone. Just make sure you don't stay too long, since later in the afternoon, the tide starts to rise, and you might not be able to get back without getting soaked. Then again, who knows... the wash down might serve you well... read more