Explore Our Parks:

Pescadero Beach and Marsh

Pescadero State Beach and Natural Preserve
has it all--one of the longest sandy beaches on
the coast with some of the biggest sand dunes,
tide pools and rocks with slumbering harbor
seals; the largest coastal wetland between San
Francisco and Monterey County; more than 200
species of birds, including the rarely seen
western snowy plover and a rookery of nesting
herons, egrets, and cormorants; trails to explore
on your own or on free docent-led walks. The park draws visitors from all over the world
and is a classroom for more than 10,000 school children every year.

The Beach and Tide Pools

Visitors can access the sandy Pescadero beach from two of its three parking lots on
Highway 1. (There is a charge for parking only in the north lot, which directly abuts the
beach.) To reach the beach from the center lot, descend to the walkway along the
highway on the stairs at the south end of the lot and walk south, over the Pescadero
Creek Bridge, to steps leading to the beach.

Walking north on the beach, you may see some

snowy plovers feeding along the surf line or nestled
in footprints in the sand. Last summer a pair of
plovers nested on the beach for the first time in over
30 years--a major success for this small bird, which
is listed as threatened under the Endangered
Species Act. This spring a portion of the beach was
cabled off from foot traffic to protect the plovers and
provide them room to nest again. Watch the plovers
from a distance and do not disturb them--this is their
home.

If you turn south on the beach at low tide in the

summer, when a sandbar closes the mouth of
Pescadero Creek, you can easily reach tide pools in
the rocks below the central parking lot bluff. There you
will usually see harbor seals and sea birds in the
water and on the rooks.
There are also tide pools to explore below the southernmost beach parking lot (also free)
just across the highway from Pescadero Creek Road. The large rock off shore
(Pescadero Rock)--now blanketed with greenery and patches of yellow goldfields--often
serves as a roost for seabirds and egrets.

Picnic tables below the parking lot provide a comfortable

place to eat lunch and enjoy the flowers, birds, and breaking
surf. Dont miss the spectacular wildflowers clinging to the
rocky soil around the tables, including goldfields and the odd
looking blossoms of sour clover.

The Marsh

There are many ways to explore the marsh, on the

east side of the highway. One of the best is to join
one of the free guided walks led by state park
volunteer docents twice a monthat 10 AM on the
first Sunday of the month and at 1 PM on the third
Sunday of the month. The walks begin by the stairs
in the central parking lot and may follow either of
two trails through the marsh depending on the
interests of the participants.
 Sequoia Audubon Trail

The Sequoia Audubon Trail was named for the local chapter of the Audubon Society,
which has donated generously for the protection and maintenance of the marsh as a
unique and important bird sanctuary. The trail follows Pescadero Creek into the marsh,
along the way giving you a chance to observe unique marsh plants and many
wildflowers.

Across the marsh you will be able to see the rookery (colonial nesting site) in an old
eucalyptus tree where herons, egrets, and cormorants are now nesting.

State park volunteers monitor the rookery and report

on the nesting birds to the San Francisco Bay Bird
Observatory.

Another eucalyptus tree along the trail is a favorite of

young visitors. Its broad twisted branches invite them to
linger and climb. Press your ear against its branches and
you will hear sweet sounds that have given it the name
the singing tree.

Further down the trail you may get a chance to spot a

western pond turtle sunning on a branch above the creek.

The trail ends at an overlook on a hill from where you

can get a view back over the marsh to the ocean.

North Pond Trail

Guided walks also sometimes

take the North Pond Trail, which
is reached by crossing a
footbridge built and installed with
donations from several local organizations, including CSPA.

The trail winds up along a hill above the north end of the marsh--around North Pond--
ending across the highway from the north parking lot. Along the trail you will have
spectacular views of the marsh and may see many wildflowers and birds.

Other Trails
There are other trails you can explore on your own that will take you deeper into the
marsh. To help you find your way, download a map from the CSPA website or pick up a
brochure with a map from a docent or one of the CSPA stores.

Butano Trail

For a massive display of wildflowers most of the year and a chance to see marsh water
birds, take the Butano trail. The trailhead is off Pescadero Creek Road, just east of the
junction with the highway. Park on the side of the road and follow the dirt road, which
changes into a narrow trail as you descend into the marsh. A small footbridge leads to a
levee you can follow through the marsh.

The levee trail along trail along Butano Creek is almost blocked with wildflowers by late
summer.
 Round Hill Trail

Very few people know about Round Hill Trail, which follows Pescadero Creek as it
enters the marsh. The riparian woodland along the creek and ponds along the trail are
favorite spots for birders.

You reach the trailhead by following Water Lane, which turns north off of Pescadero
Creek Road 1.6 miles east of Highway 1. The lane ends at some old state park
buildings. Park in front of the sign for day use parking, under the willow trees. You will
see the trail leading off just beyond there. You may see barn swallows flying into the old
white buildingbut steer clear of entering it.
 As you start up the trail, watch for white-tailed kites,
which sometimes nest in the pines behind the
buildings and can often be seen flying over the marsh.

At the top of the hill a short distance up the trail, you

will see two ponds on your left filled with cattails and
tules. You are almost sure to see red-wing blackbirds
there and, if you are very lucky, a secretive Virginia
rail or green heron might make an appearance.

As you walk further down the trail, watch the willow

thickets for warblers, kinglets, nuthatches, and other
small birds.

The trail crosses a flower-filled meadow, then curves west at the foot of Round Hill,
ending where the water and marsh plants begin at the back of the marsh.

To Top off Your Day

After exploring Pescadero State Beach and Marsh, you might want to take a side trip to
the nearby town of Pescadero, just 2 miles east of the highway on Pescadero Creek
Road at Stage Road. The town encompasses only a few blocks, but includes much to
delight a visitor--restaurants featuring local produce, working farms that welcome
visitors, and antique stores and art galleries showcasing local artists and craftspeople.
You will see why Pescadero was recently said by Coastal Living magazine to be one of
the 10 happiest seaside towns in America.

For Food to Eat There or Take Out

Arcangeli Grocery Company

287 Stage Road
9 AM-6 PM daily
650-879-0147

A locally owned grocery store/bakery established in 1929 now under the 5th generation
of ownership. They specialize in scratched baked breads and pies, artichoke herb bread
being the favorite, a full service deli, certified Angus meats, and many gourmet foods
and single-vineyard Santa Cruz Mountain wines. (www.normsmarket.com/)
 Duarte's Tavern
202 Stage Road
7 AM-9 PM daily
650-879-0464

Founded in 1894 and in the Duarte family ever since, the tavern is considered a
coastside landmark. Its extensive menu focuses on artichoke dishes and fresh fish, and
it is also famous for its cream of green chile soup. Reservations are recommended.
(www.duartestavern.com)

Pescadero Country Store

251 Stage Road
9 AM-7 PM daily
650-879-0410

A country store with a restaurant and bar where you may dine either indoors or outside
in a charming garden looking out on the town. The restaurant features thin crust pizza
with fresh toppings, baked as you watch in a wood-fired brick oven. It also has a
selection of freshly made sandwiches, soups, salads, and desserts.
(www.pescaderocountrystore.com) (The website is under construction, but includes the
pizza menu.)

Taqueria y Mercado de Amigos

1999 Pescadero Creek Road
9 AM-9 PM daily
650-879-0232

Great authentic, inexpensive Mexican food hidden in a gas station convenience store
just as you enter town. The New York Times called their tacos some of the best tacos
this side of Mexico, and the menu includes many other dishes, as well as free salsa
and chips.

For a Farm Experience for All the Family

Harley Farms Goat Dairy

205 North Street
10 AM-5 PM daily
650-879-0480

Harley Farms is a restored 1910 dairy farm, with 200 alpine goats open year-round for
farm and dairy tours, cheese-making classes, and special events in a restored hayloft.
Visitors see a working farm, and watch the milk move from goat to dairy, from curd to
cheese. Make reservations for tours and special events or just stroll into the farm to see
goats and llamas in paddocks and pastures. (www.harleyfarms.com)

Phipps Country Store and Farm

2700 Pescadero Creek Rd.
April-October: 10:00am-6:00pm; November-March: 10:00am-5:00pm
650-879-1032

The store, known for its wide selection of more than 75 varieties of dried bean, also has
fresh produce, jams, herbs, spices, flours and grains. You can visit their farm animals,
pick olallieberries and strawberries in season, and explore their gardens.
(http://www.phippscountry.com)
 Among the Many Stores To Explore

Luna Sea
250 Stage Road
Fri. 12-5:00 pm, Sat.-Sun. 11:00 am-5:00 pm, Mon. 12-4:00 pm
650-879-1207

A hand-crafted artisan gallery featuring artists from throughout the United States. You
will find everything from watercolors by local artists--including paintings of the
Pescadero Marsh--to outdoor kinetic art and everything in between.