Driving down Pacific Coast Highway 1 from San Francisco, travelers should make time to stop at Pescadero, a former fishing and farming village roughly 30 miles north of Santa Cruz and 15 miles south of Half Moon Bay. The first thing travelers see from Highway 1 is the Pigeon Point Lighthouse. The next is Pescadero Marsh, where birders and hikers can get lost in the trails that wind through high marshy growth and see kites, herons and other shore birds. Across Highway 1 is a state beach offering hikes along the sand and rocks with large flocks of birds and which also often host harbor seals. The road to the tiny town is two miles long, leading inland past old farms and agricultural fields.
Artichoke Soup at Duarte's Tavern is a Famous Taste of the Coast
This historic tavern and restaurant was opened by the Duarte family in 1894 on Stage Road that runs right through town, and it still sells its famous creamy artichoke soup, made from crops picked in nearby fields. The seafood and other dishes are drawn from local sources, and pies are made from olallieberries and strawberries grown nearby. Across the street one finds the Arcangeli Grocery and Norm's Bakery, opened 70 years ago, where they sell jams, salsas and breads such as artichoke garlic, cranberry walnut and cheesy cheddar artichoke. There is a deli counter in the back where visitors can buy meats and cheeses for a picnic.
Stay in a Hostel in an 18th Century Lighthouse
The 115' Pigeon Point Lighthouse, named after the ship Carrier Pigeon that went down off this coast, is now a hostel. Run by Hostelling International-USA, it offers bunk-style rooms and a few private ones. Guests can wander past tidepools, sit in the hot tub or watch for gray whales as they migrate. Hostels make for great budget vacations, whether traveling alone or with the family.
Phipps Country Store and Farm Sells Heirloom Beans, U-Pick Berries
On Pescadero Road the Phipps Country Store and Farm offers 75 kinds of special beans gown on the farm, as well as soup mixes, jams, herbal vinegars and herbs. Visitors can spend the day and walk the flower and herb gardens to the creek for a small fee, and pick strawberries or olallieberries for $3 per lb. Children will like the barnyard with farm animals.
Harley Farms Goat Dairy Has Fresh Goat Cheeses with Fresh Flower Decorations
Dee Harley welcomes guests to her goat farm on North Street to see the herd and to learn how fresh goat cheeses are made. Many of her cheeses are decorated with fresh flowers grown on the farm. Fresh goat cheese can make a savory tart.
Shops Sell Handcrafts and Garden Art
Handcrafted furniture and art are sold at Made in Pescadero. Stage Road Shops offers funky jewelry, stained glass and local collectibles. Luna Sea sells ceramic garden lights and other garden treasures.
Pescadero is a great getaway for a weekend, especially for those who like to hike, bike, walk on the beach or enjoy farm visits. Just five miles east of town is Butano State Park, which offers 3,500 acres of redwoods to explore.
Judith Wylie - Judith Wylie has been a travel writer, columnist and author for 25 years. Her work has appeared in Travel+Leisure, the London Financial ...
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