Nestled inland, near a few of my favorite California State Beaches, is Pescadero; a quaint little town that's the perfect destination for a day trip. Highly recommend taking Highway 1 to get here and rolling your windows down to breath in that spring ocean air. It is still a little chilly this time of year - but it's also my favorite time to drive down the coast because (1) the beaches aren't crowded at all and (2) the skies are blue and the fields are full of color.
You can find all my recommended stops for your Pescadero day trip in this Google Maps List
So, what exactly is there to do in Pescadero?!
In Pescadero you'll find a small downtown strip with all the small town feel, including antique shops, handmade crafts and whimsical homes. Downtown Local Coffee Shop has your caffeine fix in an eclectic setting, and just down the road is Arcangeli Grocery which will pull you in with the smell of garlic bread alone...no really, people drive in from all over just to get a loaf of their infamous Artichoke Garlic bread. I got mine to go with some Harley Goat Cheese for dipping, and while I sat on the beach to snack on it I wasn't surprised to be surrounded by several people doing the same!
Also in Pescadero is Harley Farms, home of the cutest goats and freshest goat cheese. In the spring time you'll have the chance to see baby goats, and even hold them if you go on a tour. When I was there, there were already 117 baby goats born this season and still lots of pregnant mamas yet to have their babies. The Harley Farms shop has goat cheeses and other products for sale, and you can learn more about how it's made by joining a tour.
A little further down the Highway from Pescadero is Pie Ranch if you're looking for some sweet desert. I've driven by this place so many times, and figured now was finally the time to stop by since I was doing a Pescadero centric day trip.
And lastly, where better to have a picnic with all your snacks than at one of the lovely beaches in the area. Whether you are snacking or walking the shore, I've shared some of my favorite nearby beaches that you can enjoy easily on this road trip.
Arcangeli Grocery
You really must try the artichoke garlic bread - it was warm and fluffy and full of artichoke hearts. I got some Harley Farm goat cheese to go with it - Arcangeli sells it for the same price that you can get it for at Harley Farm down the road.
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Harley Farms
This is a fun place to stop when you're in the area - whether you spend some time taking the tour, or just visit the goats and test some cheeses and oils.
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Pie Ranch
I got the Lemon Buttermilk pie (left) and a potato and cheese pastry (right). The store has lots of other goodies, including fresh jams. If you have time while there, there's areas of the ranch property you can walk around.
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Now for the salt air recommendations:
Any of these beaches are great choices to have a picnic. And a few of them, typically those with the rocky shores, are great for looking for seashells and sea glass. I love this strip of California State beaches, they're all so individually beautiful. And there's something about seeing the coast from the highway, and being able to just pull over and walk down to the beach.
Bean Hollow State Beach
There's a North and South parking lot for the Beach Hollow State beach. The beach is connected by a rocky shore line, but at low tide you can make your way across. Towards the middle area, after scrambling over a few rocks, is a small cove with pebbles instead of sand.
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Pistachio Beach
I like Pistachio beach because it's secluded from others, with roadside parking. To the left you can see the Pigeon Point Lighthouse (which you can drive by using the same access road you park on), and to the right are rocky beaches full of seashells and sea glass which you can surely find if you comb through the pebbles.
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Shark Fin Cove
It's a little further of a drive south from Pescadero, but Shark Fin Cove in Davenport is a must visit beach if you're in the area. After parking, you cross these old railroad tracks to the most breathtaking view of the ocean, and a giant shark fin resembling rock in the center of a small cove. And yes, you can absolutely scramble your way down to the cove and see the sharks fin, natural rock bridges and caves up close!
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Pescadero State Beach
And of course the namesake of this day trip, Pescadero State Beach. My favorite spot on this long stretch of beach is the area right across from Pescadero Creek Road (where you turn to get to downtown Pescadero). You'll be high up on the cliffs here, but you can walk out and find some nice rocks sit on to take in the view.
Follow my footsteps through and around Pescadero with this Google Maps List
Happy road tripping! Xx Suz
Happy road tripping! Xx Suz
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