Pescadero Travel Information

Nestled into the rolling green hills behind Pescadero State Beach and Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve is the small Town of Pescadero. With its unique shops, 19th Century buildings, and numerous eco-tourist offerings, it has become a very popular day and weekend travel destination. Whether you want to explore the Pacific Ocean's sand dunes and tide pools, trek through Redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains, or visit local dairy, berry and pumpkin farms, they are all just minutes away.

Area Snapshot

||   Location – Located 2 miles east of Highway 1, it is just a short 16½ miles south of
Half Moon Bay and 34½ miles north of Santa Cruz.

||   Population – Around 2,050 residents

||   Established – The town has been thriving since the mid 1850's

||  Weather   –  Generally speaking, Pecadero has the warmest daytime temperatures during the spring and fall months.   During the summer months, days can be overcast, foggy, and very chilly  –  especially in June and July .  During the afternoons, the fog will often rollback to the coastline, allowing the town to warm in the summer sun.  Winter months are often overcast, rainy and cold.

||  Primary Industries  –  farming, ranching, and tourism.  (Timber was a huge industry in the early days.)

||  Area Attractions:

Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve  –  A popular wildlife refuge great for bird watching and nature walks

Pescadero State Beach  –  The beach has a mile-long shoreline with sandy coves, rocky cliffs, tide pools, fishing spots and picnic facilities. 

• Biking and hiking in the Santa Cruz Mountains

||  Tourist Destinations:

Duarte's Tavern and Restaurant – A h istoric restaurant and bar with roots that date back to 1894.  Known for its artichoke soup and seafood, it is a very popular destination for locals and tourist. In my opinion, their green chili soup is the best and their pies are to die for!

Harley Farms Goat Dairy  is a restored 1910 dairy farm.  Sign up for one of their weekend dairy & goat tours ($20 per person) or shop their Farm Store for critically-acclaimed cheese, apparel, and bath and body products .

• Pescadero is home to many 19th Century buildings that now house boutiques, markets, and eateries.

||  Festivals/Annual Events:

• Pescadero Chamarita Festival – Held in May (6 weeks after Easter) , the Portuguese Holy Spirit festival features marching bands and royal courts parading down Pescadero's Main Street.  For more information: (650) 726-5701

Pescadero Art and Fun Fair (PAFF) – Held on the third weekend of August, the old fashion country festival promotes local artists and raises funds to benefit local youth programs.

The Annual Pescadero Coastal Classic Road Race – Held in early to mid June, the 28-mile bicycle race travels through town and loops through coastal dunes and redwood groves.