Since moving to the Bay Are two years ago, every so often I’d hear mention of a little town off of Highway 1 named Pescadero. I filed it in the back of my brain, and slowly worked my way down the list of obvious Bay are day trip ideas. (You can read about our top 5 summer Bay area day trip ideas here.) Whether you’re planning a visit while on a Highway 1 road trip, visiting in the summer or winter, this makes for the perfect day trip.
Getting to Pescadero
Whether you’re coming from the north (San Francisco) or the south (San Jose), Pescadero feels just far enough to feel like you’re in a completely new spot. It is located an hour from both San Francisco and San Jose, and only 30-45 minutes from Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay.
Walk along the water at Pescadero State Beach
- Location: North of downtown Pescadero
- Hours: Daily 8AM – sunset
- Parking: $8
Let’s start with a pro tip: when visiting the town, make sure you have CASH – especially small bills. Many of the state beaches have fees (the state beach had an $8 parking fee for normal vehicles). And there aren’t attendants so you’ll want to have exact bills.
On the chilly spring day, the state beach was pretty empty. Go for a little walk or sit and enjoy the views before heading into town.
Start your day with coffee at Downtown Local
- Location: 213 Stage Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060
- Hours: M – F 7AM – 5PM, S – S 8AM – 5:30PM
- Pro Tip: Make sure to pop into “The Sunshine” (the market next door) for some fresh flowers and local produce.
From what I could see, Downtown Local is the hang out spot for locals and visitors alike. This spot was incredibly charming – half vintage shop, half coffee shop – and the coffee is Sightglass. Make sure to ask the barista about the painted vintage porsche out front (the owner wants to race it in South Africa one day). On your way out stop at “The Sunshine,” the local market next door.
Take photos in front of The Level Lea Farm
- Location: 1743 Pescadero Creek Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060
If you’re not dying for caffeine, before heading to your cup of joe, stop at the historic Level Lea Farm. The farm is covered in large hearts with wishes and prayers like “paz en el mundo” and “spring rain.”
Pick up fresh artichoke bread at Arcangeli Grocery Company/Norm’s Market
- Location: 287 Stage Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060
- Hours: M – F 10AM – 6 PM, S – S 9AM – 6PM
- Pro tip: Go early to get the famous artichoke bread
While researching things to do in Pescadero, every article and every person I talked to said picking up artichoke bread was an absolute must-do. Go early as it can get crazy. We happened to get there right as they were restocking fresh warm bread so I picked up a few loaves. And in case you were worried about people overhyping it – they definitely weren’t. It was just THAT good.
Go shopping on Stage Road
Stage Road is the main street of Pescadero. While it is pretty tiny, it is jam packed with unique shops. I loved chatting with the friendly shop owners about their local wares. I recommend walking down the street and popping in and out of the different shops. However, below are a few of my favorites:
- Slowcoast Airstream Store – “locally grown, made, and inspired Slow Coast” products.
- Stage Road Shops – A group of locally owned shops featuring antiques, locally made jewelry, and other gift items.
- South Coast Children’s Services Thrift Shop – Reasonably priced thrift shop with a mix of vintage and newer items. I found a vintage DKNY top for $8!
- Topia Antiques – A mix of antiques, vintage items, and local products. You might find fun socks next to French imported tablecloths next to 100 year only antiques.
Have lunch at Mercado & Taqueria De Amigos
- Location: 1999 Pescadero Creek Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060
- Hours: Daily 9AM – 9PM
- Pro Tip: Order the carnitas tacos & bring cash since it’s cash only
When I heard about the “gas station taco shop” I all but immediately crossed it off my list. But then, there I was chatting with one of the local shop owners and they started raving about how amazing the taqueria within the gas station was, and how I had to visit. The Mercado & Taqueria de Amigos has won awards such as “best Northern California taqueria” (you can read the plaques on the wall).
Let me tell you – I grew up in San Diego where good tacos was a must being along the border with Mexico. These tacos were the real deal. The carnitas tacos were my absolute favorite. Be sure to have lunch here, because realistically when can you ever say you had amazing Mexican food at a gas station?
Stop by R & R Herbs for fresh fruits & veggies
- Location: 2310 Pescadero Creek Road, Pescadero, CA 94060
- Hours: Daily 10AM – 6PM
R & R Herbs stocks local seasonal products such as eggs, veggies, and fresh herbs. Depending on the season you can go and pick fresh berries on their farm.
Visit the goats at the Harley Farms Goat Dairy & pick up fresh goat cheese
- Location: 205 North St, Pescadero, CA 94060
- Hours: Farm & Cheese Shop: F – SUN, 11AM – 4PM
- Tours: Check out their tours here
- Pro Tip: Don’t have time for a tour? You can still see the goats and visit the Goat Shop for fresh goat cheese and other products.
The Harley Goat Farm is a working farm that produces fresh goat products. Stop by for a tour and visit the baby goats. Or walk the grounds and stop by the “Goat Shop” for fresh goat products such as cheese, ravioli and more.
Check out the tide pools at Bean Hollow State Beach
- Location: South of downtown Pescadero
- Hours: Daily 8AM – sunset
- Parking: $10
Bean Hollow State Beach is a favorite amongst dog-owners as it is dog friendly. You can walk along the seaside trails or explore the tide pools. For the more adventurous folks there beach also is a good spot for kayaking/canoeing, and windsurfing/surfing.
End your trip at Pigeon Point Lighthouse
- Location: 210 Pigeon Point Road, Highway 1, Pescadero, CA 94060
- Hours: Park daily 8AM – sunset, Visitor center TH – M 10AM – 4 PM
- Entrance: Free
- Pro tip: Doing a Highway 1 road trip, The grounds have been turned into a hostel.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse was opened in 1872 and is known as one of the tallest lighthouses in the United States. While you can’t go inside the lighthouse due to its current state, you can walk the grounds and check out the visitor center. I also highly recommend taking a walk along cliff-side paths for gorgeous views. Visit in the spring to see all the gorgeous wildflowers.
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