Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

The boundaries of Pescadero State Beach include 243 acres that comprise the Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve. Visitors to the Preserve will find a variety of habitats, including freshwater wetlands, brackish water marsh, a tidal estuary, and woodland.

Birders will enjoy watching great blue herons, snowy egrets and more than 200 other species of birds.

Explore the Sequoia Audubon Trail

Three sections of trail wind through the Pescadero Marsh. The North Pond Trail has trailheads on the north side of the bridge over Pescadero Creek and at the northern-most of the three Pescadero Beach parking lots. Along the 1-mile long path is an observation platform on a hilltop. The trail is closed March 15 to September 1 during nesting time.

A second trail leads from the bridge along the north side of Pescadero Creek. Several alternate trails along the way offer slightly different views. The out-and-back trail is about a 1.5 mile round trip.

Butano Tail

A third trail is best accessed from a small parking lot on the east side of Highway 1, opposite Pescadero Beach's southern-most parking lot. This trail leads around North Butano Marsh, following old levees part of the way.

Guided Natural Preserve Walks

Docents from the Coastside State Parks Association lead nature walks through the marsh twice a month. The 2-hour walks are held on the first Sunday of the month at 10:00 AM and the third Sunday of the month at 1:00 PM. Meet at the middle Pescadero Beach parking lot (immediately south of the bridge and a quarter mile north of the Pescadero Road intersection).

The Coastside State Parks Association works to "increase access, enjoyment and appreciation of the natural and cultural heritage of the San Mateo Coast." They support 15 state parks from Gray Whale Cove to Ano Nuevo.

San Mateo Coastal Hikes

Caution: Before setting out, always check with rangers that conditions are safe for your planned activitites.

Arroyo de los Frijoles Trail

The Arroyo de los Frijoles Trail is a 0.8 mile walk along the bluff between Bean Hollow Beach and Pebble Beach (also called Bean Hollow North). Several small bridges aid visitors in crossing small creeks. Along the way hikers will enjoy wild flowers, marine life, shore birds, tide pools, wildflowers. Much of the landscape along the trail displays native coastal plants.

Hikers who take a short side trail to explore tide pools along the way will find sea anemone, sea stars, urchins, and sea slugs. Looking skyward, onto the beach, and over the water for birds, visitors will see plenty of gulls, sandpipers, pelicans, and cormorants. In winter gray whales can be spotted out beyond the breakers on their annual migration. Harbor seals poke their heads up almost anywhere.

North from Pomponio Beach

A trail leads north from the Pomponio Beach parking lot along the bluff. Hiking close to the edge of cliffs always warrants caution. Hikers are advised to stay well back from the edge. This half-mile trail offers wonderful views of the ocean. There is no beach access.

Exploring San Gregorio Caves

If you explore north along San Gregorio Beach you will come to a series of fairly large caves scooped out of the sandstone bluff by waves. Several are available even at high tide, but the best ones are only accessible during low tide.