Pescadero State Beach
Pescadero State Beach
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
171 reviews
Excellent
96
Very good
64
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
1
lindamF5446JQ
Sequim, WA249 contributions
Sep 2019
It's so much fun to be able to drive immediately off the highway and be at the beach. There is usually enough parking spaces to be able to park in the lot, then head to the beach. Surf usually isn't too high so the kids can run and play. Just be careful during stormy weather as the surf can be dangerous.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My R
Redwood City, CA77 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
As you drive to Pescadero Beach you can stop in the quaint little town just a few streets long. You have a small store with a restaurant counter that services brick oven cooked pizza or have one of their sandwiches. Often we get a pizza and take a sandwich to split later on our drive. Next to that is a butcher and bread shop is what I call it. You will find fresh hot baked garlic bread or garlic and artichoke and it is so delish it is impossible not to grab a chunk and eat some right away. You can also buy some really good salami and cheese and make your own sandwiches at the beach. The beach itself is lovely. I love sitting there and having our lunch while we watch the waves. It is really relaxing and the ocean air is divine.
Written May 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MP5
California6 contributions
Pescadero State Beach is located 14.5 miles south of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1. There is a well marked parking lot that holds about xx cars. The lot is patrolled so even when there is not attendant be sure to put the $6 day fee in envelope that is provided at the guard station. (The fine for not doing so is pretty high) There are two restrooms located along the Highway side of the parking lot.
The beach changes a great deal from summer to winter. In the summer, it is about 200 to 300 feet to the water and the sand is soft fine. It is easy to walk to the south over a small creek to a large sandy beach that, depending on the time of year, has quite a bit of drift wood. In the winter the creek is turned into an unpredictable river that is almost impossible to cross. At this time of the year, the beach can be within a few feet of the base of the cliff.
Again in the summer, it is a nice walk to San Gregorio beach to the north along shore bounded by waves and high cliffs. To the north on a clear day, you can clearly see the lighthouse at Pigeon Point and further up the beach, the radar towers on the point near the Half Moon Bay boat harbor. (It is about 1.5 miles from Pescadero State Beach to San Gregorio Beach.) There are several promontories of land that jut out making a series of very private beaches that are perfect for a quiet day on the ocean.
On this main expanse of the beach to the north, it is rare to see more than a few people an hour walking along the beach. It is also rare to see more than 5 or 10 people spread out along the mile walk in little encampments on the upper sand. There are several places along the long section to build wind shelters with the available drift wood. In the summer a small number of people and sunbathe topless or nude in almost complete privacy.
In the winter, the nice sand is pulled out to sea into deeper water leaving a coarse gravely sand that is much darker in color. The water surges much closer to the base of the cliffs and it is easy to get cut off by the rising tide between the points of land that form the pocket beaches. This is extremely dangerous! It is impossible to climb the cliffs to the safety of the trail and road above. (The cliff is from 60 to 120 feet high and straight up and made up of crumbly sand and mud-like stone.)
The ocean is unsafe for swimming and there are frequently undertow conditions and swirling waves along the deeper holes in the sand along the surf line.
• Fee $6 per day for one car
• No dogs
• No lifeguard
• Pack out your litter
The beach changes a great deal from summer to winter. In the summer, it is about 200 to 300 feet to the water and the sand is soft fine. It is easy to walk to the south over a small creek to a large sandy beach that, depending on the time of year, has quite a bit of drift wood. In the winter the creek is turned into an unpredictable river that is almost impossible to cross. At this time of the year, the beach can be within a few feet of the base of the cliff.
Again in the summer, it is a nice walk to San Gregorio beach to the north along shore bounded by waves and high cliffs. To the north on a clear day, you can clearly see the lighthouse at Pigeon Point and further up the beach, the radar towers on the point near the Half Moon Bay boat harbor. (It is about 1.5 miles from Pescadero State Beach to San Gregorio Beach.) There are several promontories of land that jut out making a series of very private beaches that are perfect for a quiet day on the ocean.
On this main expanse of the beach to the north, it is rare to see more than a few people an hour walking along the beach. It is also rare to see more than 5 or 10 people spread out along the mile walk in little encampments on the upper sand. There are several places along the long section to build wind shelters with the available drift wood. In the summer a small number of people and sunbathe topless or nude in almost complete privacy.
In the winter, the nice sand is pulled out to sea into deeper water leaving a coarse gravely sand that is much darker in color. The water surges much closer to the base of the cliffs and it is easy to get cut off by the rising tide between the points of land that form the pocket beaches. This is extremely dangerous! It is impossible to climb the cliffs to the safety of the trail and road above. (The cliff is from 60 to 120 feet high and straight up and made up of crumbly sand and mud-like stone.)
The ocean is unsafe for swimming and there are frequently undertow conditions and swirling waves along the deeper holes in the sand along the surf line.
• Fee $6 per day for one car
• No dogs
• No lifeguard
• Pack out your litter
Written December 13, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peppertaz
Carmichael, CA836 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
Great place to stop for photos. Heading down toward Santa Cruz all the places to pull off and stop or take a picture seemed to have $8 fees. So since two of the places we drove into had rangers collecting the fee boxes and checking cars we decided not to risk getting out to take pictures. But this place has tons of parking and no fee! Really nice views and perfect spot for a break. They have some picnic tables, stairs down to the beach, bathrooms (no water), and plenty of views. Check it out on your way to or from Santa Cruz.
Written September 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom K
Woodside, California, USA55 contributions
Mar 2013
Always a favorite. The best free parking on the coast! Below average bathrooms. No water service. But plenty of parking, even on busy weekends. Check the tide charts if you are interested in tidepooling.
Written March 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GaryW
San Francisco, Ca73 contributions
May 2015
Pescadero Beach is a beautiful white sand beach. It is adjacent to Pescadero Marsh which has 297 types of birds that fly by and migrate thru each year. The lagoon used to have whales in it 100 years ago but siltation caused by development has filled in the lagoon so that is no longer possible.
Great Taqueria at the corner of Stage and Pescadero Roads. Rated one of the top 10 fast food restaurants in the US by the food network. Across the street is Duartes - great for artichoke soup, artichoke omlettes and home made pies
Great Taqueria at the corner of Stage and Pescadero Roads. Rated one of the top 10 fast food restaurants in the US by the food network. Across the street is Duartes - great for artichoke soup, artichoke omlettes and home made pies
Written June 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
serentripity
Norfolk, VA36 contributions
Sep 2012
Nice beach to watch the mighty Pacific roll in. A few miles inland is the quaint, little one-street town w/ world-famous Duarte's Tavern, a historical spot w/ great food; across the street is fresh-baked artichoke bread to die for! Get some fresh goat cheese at Harley's Goat Farm up the road to go with the bread. Delightful!
Written March 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ray F
San Francisco, CA3 contributions
Jul 2012
The coast drive makes going to Pescadero such a fun trip. It is a beautiful drive and always break to marvel at the coast and ocean.
Written October 15, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inspirantphotograher.com
6 contributions
Nov 2019 • Family
The original Wells Fargo stagecoach used to pass this beach where the ancient redwoods just 5 miles away deposit their fallen branches into the Pescadero Creek that joins the Pacific Ocean. Just a heartbeat away the Pigeon Point Light House still stands.
Try walking along the beach in winter when the fog
enchants any sojourner as the sandpipers and seagulls play mirthfully with the incoming tides.
Remember, never turn your back to the ocean because you can get swept into the deep just as some old ships sank in the areas around it.
Try walking along the beach in winter when the fog
enchants any sojourner as the sandpipers and seagulls play mirthfully with the incoming tides.
Remember, never turn your back to the ocean because you can get swept into the deep just as some old ships sank in the areas around it.
Written November 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher C
Calgary, Canada558 contributions
Sep 2014 • Solo
As I've traveled up the California coast from the south towards San Francisco, it is interesting to note the change in geology of the coast on the surf line. Big Sur and Monterey is very rocky and craggy, but as you head north towards here, the countryside changes to a very sandy dune-type of environment, with lots of local farms and ranches that reach the ultimate beach line. I found it most interesting
Written September 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arriendo de cabaña por 3 noches fines de Mayo
Written November 4, 2018
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