Pescadero State Beach
Encyclopedia
Pescadero State Beach is alongside State Route 1
, located 14.5 miles south of Half Moon Bay
and 1.5 miles west of the city of Pescadero
in San Mateo County, California
.
The beach has a mile-long shoreline with sandy coves, rocky cliffs, tide pools, fishing spots and picnic facilities. Across the highway is Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, a popular spot for bird watchers and other naturalists.
The shoreline at the center and southern parking areas is protected from the ocean waves by offshore rocks with numerous tide pools and areas of open water. This habitat is frequently occupied by both the Stellar Sea Lion and the Harbor Seal
. These pinnipeds alternately sun themselves by hauling onto the offshore rocks and sliding back into the water to hunt nearby.
Many of the common birds of rocky northern California shorelines are seen here; a particularly interesting one is the Black Oystercatcher.
These areas are also often utilized by both fishermen and gatherers of mollusks, primarily mussel
. A California State fishing license is required for these activities.
California State Route 1
State Route 1 , more often called Highway 1, is a state highway that runs along much of the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California. It is famous for running along some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, leading to its designation as an All-American Road.Highway 1 does not run...
, located 14.5 miles south of Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay, California
Half Moon Bay is a coastal city in San Mateo County, California, USA. Its population was 11,324 as of the 2010 census. Immediately at the north of Half Moon Bay is the Pillar Point Harbor and the unincorporated community of Princeton-by-the-Sea....
and 1.5 miles west of the city of Pescadero
Pescadero, California
Pescadero is a census-designated place in San Mateo County, California two miles east of State Route 1 and Pescadero State Beach. The center of town, on Pescadero Creek Road, is located at latitude 37.255 and longitude 122.38028. The town is south of Half Moon Bay. The ZIP Code is 94060 and...
in San Mateo County, California
San Mateo County, California
San Mateo County is a county located in the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California. It covers most of the San Francisco Peninsula just south of San Francisco, and north of Santa Clara County. San Francisco International Airport is located at the northern end of the county, and...
.
The beach has a mile-long shoreline with sandy coves, rocky cliffs, tide pools, fishing spots and picnic facilities. Across the highway is Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, a popular spot for bird watchers and other naturalists.
Characteristics
- Three separate parking areas/units: North Pescadero, Middle/Central Pescadero, and South Pescadero.
- Of the three only North Pescadero has a self-registered parking fee.
- Considered a self-registered fee area, although there is a kiosk which is staffed during summer months.
- Mile long beach, connects to northern beaches (depends on tide levels - be careful): Pomponio State BeachPomponio State BeachPomponio State Beach is a beach located south of Half Moon Bay and east of Pescadero off State Route 1, California, USA.This area provides access to miles of gently sloping, sandy beaches at the base of high sandstone bluffs...
and San Gregorio State BeachSan Gregorio State BeachSan Gregorio State Beach is a beach near San Gregorio, California, USA, south of Half Moon Bay. Part of the California State Park System, the beach lies just west of the intersection of State Route 1 and State Route 84...
. - Nature preserve.
- The reserve is a refuge for blue heronBlue heronBlue heron can refer to:* Little Blue Heron, a small heron* Great Blue Heron, a large wading bird* Blue Heron Lake, Canada* Great Blue Heron Casino, Canada* Blue Heron Estate, Alberta* Blue Heron, Kentucky* Blue Heron Park Preserve, New York City...
, kiteKite (bird)Kites are raptors with long wings and weak legs which spend a great deal of time soaring. Most feed mainly on carrion but some take various amounts of live prey.They are birds of prey which, along with hawks and eagles, are from the family Accipitridae....
, deerDeerDeer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
, raccoonRaccoonProcyon is a genus of nocturnal mammals, comprising three species commonly known as raccoons, in the family Procyonidae. The most familiar species, the common raccoon , is often known simply as "the" raccoon, as the two other raccoon species in the genus are native only to the tropics and are...
, foxFoxFox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids , characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail .Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to...
, skunkSkunkSkunks are mammals best known for their ability to secrete a liquid with a strong, foul odor. General appearance varies from species to species, from black-and-white to brown or cream colored. Skunks belong to the family Mephitidae and to the order Carnivora...
, barn swallowBarn SwallowThe Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas...
, and weaselWeaselWeasels are mammals forming the genus Mustela of the Mustelidae family. They are small, active predators, long and slender with short legs....
. - Changing weather. Always bring a jacket.
- No dogs on beach. No camping. No beach fires.
- Includes hiking trails and easy access to the beach.
- Also hosts a natural marsh and wetlands to the south-east of North Pescadero and the north-east of Middle Pescadero.
The shoreline at the center and southern parking areas is protected from the ocean waves by offshore rocks with numerous tide pools and areas of open water. This habitat is frequently occupied by both the Stellar Sea Lion and the Harbor Seal
Harbor Seal
The harbor seal , also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere...
. These pinnipeds alternately sun themselves by hauling onto the offshore rocks and sliding back into the water to hunt nearby.
Many of the common birds of rocky northern California shorelines are seen here; a particularly interesting one is the Black Oystercatcher.
These areas are also often utilized by both fishermen and gatherers of mollusks, primarily mussel
Mussel
The common name mussel is used for members of several families of clams or bivalvia mollusca, from saltwater and freshwater habitats. These groups have in common a shell whose outline is elongated and asymmetrical compared with other edible clams, which are often more or less rounded or oval.The...
. A California State fishing license is required for these activities.