This weekend we decided to check out a new local beach. Although we’d been warned it’s often a little wind-swept, we settled on Pescadero. It was such a hot day that we figured a little wind would be ok. And we were pleasantly surprised. Although it was a little breezy, the sun shone and the boys happily cavorted in their new swim suits while we took turns to nap on the beach. I think it turned out to be a good choice for a hot weekend: while the other nearby beaches (esp San Gregorio) were packed, Pescadero remained relatively empty with only a few families sharing the sand. I recommend heading right out of the car park down the smaller trail to the little beach if you want solitude– the other side of the bluff did get busier.
Idyllic
Pescadero itself is a beautiful sandy beach with enough shells, sticks and stones to keep preschool collectors happy. There are also rocks to scramble over and a few tide pools at low tide. The surf is pretty dangerous, however. I wouldn’t let small kids swim (it was too cold anyway!) and I kept a very close eye on the boys when they were paddling in the shallows. There is something quite idyllic though about the electric blue sky, the giant green surf and the empty golden sand at Pescadero.
Fetching water
Driftwood driving levers
I should also note that we saw lots of ‘sand fleas’ on the beach. They didn’t bother us at all, but I think they can sometimes give a painful bite.
Facilities in the car park are limited: only one uni-sex porta potty (pretty gross even by state park standards) and a couple of picnic tables (which means no large family gatherings with booming sound systems) . $6 day use fee – remember to bring change.
The Outdoors Parent 
I can appreciate the “no big gatherings” comment – we were at Seacliff State Beach in Capitola for the first time and it will be our last. you can pull your car up to the beachfront so you end up with a tailgating scene and bass that travels halfway down the beach. Unappealing! I love the location of Pescadero – it is a bit more windy than further south, but a more dramatic setting. (FWIW there were no sand fleas at Seacliff, though when we dug in the wet sand, we discovered long skinny worms which reminded me of earthworms – first time I have every seen anythign like it in all my many years of sandcastle building on California beaches. they weren’t disturbing at all, just a curiosity. (As far as I know earthworms don’t coexist with salt water, but who knows?)
my kids would so love the sand/earth worms – we’ll have to check that out. Unfortunately both boys are fascinated with sand fleas and take every opportunity to try and catch them.