5 Awesome Places You Can’t Miss When You Visit Pescadero

POSTED ON JUNE 4, 2017

Pescadero is a small coastal farming town located about 2 miles away from Highway 1 between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz, California. It is a perfect little town to visit on a weekend getaway. This tiny town has so much to offer including great food and day adventures. The beaches are relaxing and easy to access.

 

Here are a few of our favorite things to do and places you won’t want to miss:

 

1. Visit Ano Nuevo State Reserve for Amazing Close Encounters with Elephant Seals
If you drive 15 miles south on Highway 1 from Pescadero, you will reach the incredible elephant seal reserve park. There’s plenty of parking space and since it is a state park, there is a small fee of $10 to enter. The beauty of the coast paired with the wildlife found here makes this place one of a kind. We visited this place during the fall and enjoyed a nice 3 mile-long hike to the beach where the elephant seals lounge. Don’t get discouraged as it is well worth the long hike! The total walking tour is approximately 3 hours. We recommend dressing in layers as it can be a bit chilly and overcast, regardless of the time of year you decided to visit.

 

The docent naturalists are highly knowledgeable, approachable, and friendly. They answered all of our questions and we learned lots of cool facts about elephant seals. We learned that the elephant seals only come ashore to mate and give birth and they spend most of their lives at sea. We felt very fortunate to witness these views and learn about their amazing world.

 

We were able to come close to the dozens of elephant seals as we got closer to the beach. Once we got to the beach, we were presented with hundreds of these impressive creatures. We got to see females, males, and weaners, which are the young pups weaned off from their mothers after being breastfed for about a month. We also saw a male and a weaner aggressively disputing over something we did not comprehend, but definitely attracted our attention. We hope you enjoy this amazing outdoor activity as much as we did!

2. Try the Best Shrimp Burritos at Los Amigos Taqueria
Los Amigos serves as small grocery store, a taqueria, and as the only gas station in town. The people are very warm and friendly and will make you feel at home. During the week, you can find locals dining here or taking to-go orders after their workday. Weekends are busy as many stop to fill their tank and to try the amazing Mexican flavors this taqueria has to offer.

 

The food served here is authentic and delicious. You will not be disappointed. In fact, their tacos have gotten recognition as the best tacos on the coast in several newspaper articles. Our old time favorite are the shrimp burritos that are packed with lots of shrimp on every bite. The fresh ingredients used to make these burritos will make your mouth water and devour the whole thing in no time.

 

3. Savor Goat Cheese at Harley Farms Goat Dairy
For a fun and exciting activity, be sure to stop by the goat farm. The farm is entertaining and great for kids of all ages. It’s fun to watch the over 200 alpine goats play with each other in the back of the shop.

 

The farm and cheese shop is open year-round Friday thru Sunday from 11am to 4pm. You can sample the amazing ricotta, feta, Chevre, or Fromage Blanc goat milk cheeses. It’s hard to choose which one of these award winning cheeses to take home with you. You can also find bath and body handmade products made from goat milk that make unique gifts and souvenirs.

 

Don’t miss the rustic hayloft that displays a beautiful long fir table perfect for special events and parties. The views are so serene and stunning. We think it’s perfect for a wine and cheese party with friends!

 

4. Stop By Arcangeli Grocery Company/Norman’s Market for Fresh Artichoke Bread
Visiting Pescadero and not stopping by to get artichoke garlic herb bread is as if you didn’t visit this beautiful town at all. Arcangeli, also known as Norman’s Market, offers a variety of country-style breads that are hard to resist.

 

As soon as you walk into the store, your senses are awaken by the fresh-out-of-the-oven scents of bread. On weekends, this store is packed tourists and bicyclists outside enjoying some fresh deli sandwiches or a delicious treat. The store has a deli in the back that serves yummy sandwiches, pastas, and salads. They also have fresh from the oven pastries to take for your ride back home. We, like many others, love the cinnamon English muffins, so make sure you get there early to get some as these tend to go by quickly.

 

5. Order Artichoke or Green Chile Soup at Duarte’s Tavern
Many people recognize Pescadero for the famous and delicious soups served at Duarte’s Tavern. And how can one not brag, the soups are full of flavor and it is hard not to dream with these after trying them once. We love the cream of green chile and the cream of artichoke soups. You can always get half and half and have the best of both worlds!

 

Our other recommendation are the calamari steak sandwiches and really any seafood related dish. They use local fish in their dishes and everything is freshly made. To end your dining adventure, nothing is better than trying the popular olallieberry pies. They are to die for. The energy here is very positive and energetic. It is such a fun place to dine and meet up with friends for beers. It is truly a restaurant not to miss.