Pescadero state beach-5 Things to do near Half Moon Bay

February 16, 2022January 1, 2022

Pescadero state beach:Pescadero State Beach is one of the most charming and serene beaches in the United States. It is located in Half Moon Bay of San Mateo County, California. The shoreline is stretching about one mile and there are lots of things that attract tourists from all over the world to Pescadero state beach. The Pescadero creek divides the Pescadero state beach into two. The northern side of the beach is vast in area while the southern side is more cliffy and rocky.

The Northern part of the beach gets connected with Pomponio State Beach and San Gregorio State Beach when the tides are high. Also Pescadero State Beach is having a natural marsh and it includes some wetlands in this area too. Further Pescadero State Beach is having a variety of wildlife for most of them are quite unique to this Half Moon Bay city. And due to all these reasons, the Pescadero State Beach has become very famous and it is loved by many visitors. Thus here are some facts that are really important about this Pescadero State Beach.

Parking in Pescadero State Beach

There are three parking in total at Pescadero State Beach so you can easily access this beach in any way that is convenient for you to name the three parking, the first one is the parking you find in northern side of the beach. This is the smallest parking of all and it dedicates space just for 20 vehicles.

Then you can find the central parking near the bridge that is made for crossing creeks. And it dedicates 30 parking spots while the parking you find in northern side offers 50 spaces. And that makes the northern parking the largest. It is better if you use central parking and northern parking to take access to the beach and the central parking is good If you are willing to take the marsh trails. And if you want to go to tide pooling you will always appreciate the southern parking.

Parking Fees for Pescadero Beach

You obviously have to pay for the parking lot because there are limited spaces dedicated for parking. Thus they are asking for a parking fee. You have to pay $8 per vehicle before you get access to Pescadero state beach. You can find a payment kiosk at the northern parking lot and also you can use annual pass hangtag If you have. And there are several places over California where you can get one of these passes.

Is Pescadero a dog friendly beach?

Many people love to a company they are friendly dogs to wherever they go and If you are willing to take your dog with you to Half Moon Bay and visit the Pescadero beach is not the place you should visit. Because it does not allow you to accompany your dog. But don’t worry because there are a plethora of choices in front of you since half moon bay is having lots of dog friendly beaches. For example you can take Francis Beach which is one of the most famous beaches in Half Moon Bay.

Restrooms at Pescadero

You need not to worry of the infrastructure of Pescadero Beach because they provides you with restrooms as a basic amenity of the beach. And there is one restroom per parking lot. Therefore you can find three restrooms all together and they can be found at the very beginning of the journey to Pescadero Beach.

Activity Concessions and food

When talking about food I personally think that it is better if you bring your own food because you can assure they are safe and healthy. But you can always buy some snacks and sandwiches at the nearby grocery store at Pescadero. And activity Concessions are not provided by the beach you can bring your own chairs and other equipments to enjoy a day out in the Pescadero beach. And the only thing they offer you is the picnic tables and they can only be found at the Southern parking lot. And you can have a nice picnic experience your family and friends in the Pescadero beach.

Swimming at Pescadero

Of course they do for you a chance to swim at Pescadero State Beach and I think If you are not and expert in swimming ,you would better keep your distance with the sea. Because many people think that it is a swimming spot that is appropriate for surfers and surfers surely are experts in swimming. And most surfers swim here with wet suits and that is mostly due to the coldness of the water.

Most of the time it marks the temperature of the water between 50 to 60’F. Thus your would better know your swimming skills first and get into the water of Pescadero Beach. And sometimes there are rip waves that are quite dangerous so it’s better if you get into the water on a calm and hot day.

Is it permitted to light a fire?

Since Pescadero Beach is one of the beaches that is located in a State Park, the state officials have prohibited to light fire and having stuff like bonfires. But once you visit this beach you will realize how these people are going against the laws of the state because there are remnants of fire towards the driftwood you can find In the Pescadero Beach. So keep in your mind when you visit this mesmerizing beach to not to go against the law and help to protect surrounding of the beach.

Park Hours

The Pescadero state beach is open to the public during the daytime and the beach does not I love you too have camping. Thus you can be the in the beach and do all the fun activities from morning to evening but you have to leave it before night fall. Normally the beach opens to the public around 8 o’clock and it will be shut after the sunset Thus feel free to enjoy the beautiful sunset from this Pescadero state beach and then say goodbye to it.

Things to do in Pescadero State Beach

1. Stroll through the beach

As I mentioned earlier this beach is spreading along a mile and that precious space is ideal for strolling . You will definitely love to walk in this serene shoreline that is filled with nature’s wonders and it would even be the great exercise for your body Many people prefer to do this even the tides are high. Because strolling through the beach would not be disturbed by anything. Also Some people love to go on hiking in this area and hiking is known to be a real success in Pescadero State Beach.

2.Making Driftwood Sculptures.

Making Driftwood Sculptures is one of the most famous activities in Pescadero beach . Even though there are Redwood in this area the wood are mostly wasted because they fall down from the hills or to the ocean but you can find some drift wood that is left in the area and they are used to do this fun activity.

Most of the families with kids love to do this activity . The parents get together with their kids and arrange these drift wood into beautiful structures and have fun rearranging them into different shapes . Seems this is a famous activity in half moon bay you can even find a large driftwood room on your way to the estuary beach. And this is quite unique to the beaches in half moon bay. So enjoy this fun activity whenever you visit Pescadero state beach.

3.Hiking in the Marsh

As I said earlier this Pescadero State beach is having a natural marsh that has attracted several visitors both local and international. And hiking in that Marsh land has also become one of the must do activities when it comes to Pescadero beach. Even though it is called a Marsh this is one of the reserves in California. And it is spreading over 600 acres and Inside that vast area you can find lots of bird species and they are over 230 in number.

During the winter when the tides are high the sand is splashing to the Marshland and In summer it works as a lagoon because the sand is returning to the place where it exactly belongs. As mentioned earlier you have to take the central parking in order to get access to the Marshland and there is a 1.5 mile trail that you can use for hiking.

4.Tide Pooling

Tide Pooling is also a famous activity in Pescadero beach and you have to take the Southern parking road If you are interested in tide pooling. The small sandy cove that you will meet on your way from the southern entrance is ideal for tide pooling and another place that is perfectly fitting for tide Pooling is a rocky promontory .

5.Seeing wildlife

And it is essential to talk of the wild life that you can evidence in the Pescadero State beach . And most of them are sea creatures ,to name a few of them are Steller sea lion,the harbor seal,mussels,the black oystercatcher etc. And except sea creatures there are steelhead, blue heron, kite, deer, raccoon, fox, skunk, barn swallow, and weasel . Thus you will find a variety of wildlife in Pescadero beach.

I think that the given description will be sufficient for you to get accustomed with the Pescadero State beach and they would come in handy for you to have an epic vacation in Pescadero State beach of Half moon bay .